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J-Class history

The present J-Class yachts originated in 1930 when the “Universal Rule” was adopted. The waterline length was limited to between 75 and 87 feet and the draft was limited to 15 feet. This rule was developed by Nat Herreshoff to ascertain a similar type of yacht that could more or less race as a “one-design class”. J-class yachts competed for the America’s cup in 1930, 1934 and 1937.

The J-class yachts

In between 1930 and 1937 a total of 10 J’s have been built. In the 1930 event competitors were:

J2 - Yankee , designed by Frank Paine.

J3 - Whirlwind, designed by Hereshoff

J4 - Weetamoo designed by Clinton Crane

4 - Enterprise, designed by William Starling Burgess

In 1930 all boats were American. The defender, after trials, was Enterprise, which had to compete against the English challenger Shamrock V, owned by Sir Thomas Lipton. Shamrock V was a Charles Nicholson design. The race was won by Enterprise and the cup remained in the USA.

JK7 Velsheda, built for William Stephenson at Camper & Nicolson’s and JK4 Endeavour, built for Thomas Sopwith were contenders for England in the 1934 series.

Rainbow was the American defender. She was built for Harold Vanderbilt at Herreshoff in Bristol. She was designed by William Starling Burgess.

Rainbow, against all expectations, beat Endeavour and again the cup remained in the USA.

The 1934 series’ English challenger JK-6 Endeavour (Thomas Sopwith) sailed against the American defender Rainbow, built for Harold Vanderbilt and designed by William Starling Burgess. Rainbow was the winner.

In the 1937 series, Thomas Sopwith’s JK-6 Endeavour II was the English challenger. Ranger, built for Harold Vanderbilt defended the Cup. William Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens were her designers. They were both regular crew on Rainbow and Ranger.

Ranger won.

The next America’s Cup took place after 21 years, in 1958. The fast 12M yachts replaced the dynamic and graceful J-Class.