Of the originals from the 1930s, only the "Shamrock V", "Velsheda" and "Endeavour" have survived. They often used to sail against each other. But now they have company from some replicas such as "Ranger", "Hanuman" (replica of Endeavour II), "Lionhart" (also a Ranger replica). And now also "Rainbow", a design by Starling Burgess, which had won the America's Cup in 1934 with Harold Vanderbilt at the helm. Three years later, Rainbow competed against the then brand new "Ranger" in the Americans' internal competition and lost. While "Ranger" confidently defended the Cup, "Rainbow" was scrapped in 1940.
The renowned Dutch firm of Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects was commissioned by the future owner in 2007 to construct a replica of "Rainbow", which was built at Holland Jachtbouw in Zaandam. But unlike the original, which was laid up in steel at the Herreshoff shipyard in Bristol, the replica is made of aluminium with wooden superstructures. It also has a carbon fibre mast, 3D sails and a diesel-electric drive system with 350 kilowatts. The permanent crew size is seven, with between 25 and 28 on board in regatta mode. After all, there are up to 1,500 square metres of sail area to tame.
In order to further revitalise the J-Class, the class association has drawn up a new rule that includes a handicap system based on velocity prediction and is intended to give older boats the opportunity to win regattas.
Rainbow JH2 specifications
- Lüa: 40 m
- LWL: 27.10 m
- Width: 6.37 m
- Depth: 4.80 m
- Mast height: 53.66 m
- Displacement approx. 175 tonnes
- Sailplane (cross/sheet) 950/1500 sqm
- Hull material: Aluminium
- Superstructures: Mahogany
- Spars carbon fibre
