RAINBOW UPDATE - Building has started

A replica of the J-Class RAINBOW, the famous American yacht which won the 1934 America’s Cup, has started building at Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw at Makkum in Holland. It is no surprise that Bloemsma should be selected to produce the hull as the yard has previously built “Windrose of Amsterdam” for the owner of Rainbow.

The replica re-build of this original design by William Starling Burgess will be under the supervision of Dykstra & Partners, who have more than 20 years’ experience with J Class and have been responsible for the re-builds and refits of: SHAMROCK V, ENDEAVOUR, VELSHEDA, RANGER and the new HANUMAN (Endeavour II Project).

The new RAINBOW will be constructed in aluminium, combining lightweight construction with high overall stiffness to improve sailing performance. Below deck the interior will represent 1930s styling,yet with all modern comforts for 8 guests and 8 crew.

The superstructure will have clear flush decks and the rig and sail handling systems will be similar to other Js - high modulus carbon spars, carbon rigging, 3DL sails and hydraulic winches in accordance with the JCA (J Class Association) Rules.

When the hull is complete, RAINBOW will be transported by barge, to Holland Jachtbouw where she will be finished. She will be campaigned by an experienced, proven team of sailors from Holland.

RAINBOW has a well respected pedigree. The original W. Starling Burgess design was launched on 15th May 1934, at the Herreshoff Yard in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA. She was built to defend the America’s Cup against “ENDEAVOUR”. The first 2 races were tough for RAINBOW, yet she beat ENDEAVOUR in the last four races to win. In 1937 she was sold and then challenged for the Cup defence. Sadly for her, RANGER won and RAINBOW was sold for scrap in 1940.

J Class enthusiasts and fans of these iconic racing yachts can look forward to the prospect of a re-run of the 1934 America’s Cup races between the original ENDEAVOUR and the new replica RAINBOW when she is launched.

Specification: RAINBOW
LOA: 39.95 m
LWL: 27.10 m
Hull material: Aluminum
Displacement: Approx. 176 tons
Naval Architect: Dykstra & Partners
Interior design: Dykstra & Partners
Hull construction: Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw
Shipyard: Holland Jachtbouw

VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ - 2009

SHAMROCK V sailed for the first time in the ‘Modern” fleet at the Voiles de St Tropez and with very good results bearing in mind that she was packed with charter guests. She finished a very creditable 11th out of a fleet of 36 yachts.

Her new genoa certainly seems to have transformed her performance. In two of the races she finished 7th against smaller modern race yachts, proving once again that the J’s can sail well against modern race yachts with an IRC handicap.