J-Class yacht Rainbow launches from Holland Jachtbouw
by J Class Association 22 Feb 2012 14:54 GMT
17 February 2012
The replica of the J Class 'Rainbow' launches from Holland Jachtbouw © J Class Association
The replica of the J Class “Rainbow”, the famous American yacht which won the 1934 America’s Cup, has been launched at HJB Holland Jachtbouw, Holland. She will sail under the number JH2.
On Friday 17th February, a large crowd of workers, guests, fans, and admirers gathered at Holland Jachtbouw under a sunny sky to see Florine Gongriep, the owner’s daughter, smash the Champagne bottle over the keel and “Rainbow” lowered gently into the water. The replica re-build of this original design by William Starling Burgess has been constructed for Chris Gongriep, famous for his race winning “Windrose of Amsterdam”. He will campaign the yacht with his experienced, semi-professional crew.
The clean superstructure features brushed stainless steel deck hardware and teak, white-caulked decks. The carbon rig will be stepped in the next few days, in preparation for initial sail trials. Below deck the interior will represent 1930s styling, yet with all modern comforts for 8 guests and 8 crew.
This launch follows a long line of high calibre yachts emenating from the HJB shipyard, such as “Athos”, “Calliope” and “Whisper”. “Rainbow” has a well respected pedigree. The original W. Starling Burgess design was launched in 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 the series. In 1937 she was sold and then challenged as a contender for the Cup defence. Sadly for her, “Ranger” won and “Rainbow” was sold for scrap in 1940.
“Rainbow’s” launch is another big step forward for the J Class: she is the seventh J on the water, with projects still to follow. J Class enthusiasts and fans of these iconic racing yachts can look forward to seeing her on the water this summer when she is expected to line up with five other famous J Class yachts at regattas in Falmouth and the Solent.
Fans relish the prospect of a potential re-run of the 1934 America’s Cup races between the original 1934 “Endeavour”, fresh from a recent rebuild in New Zealand, and the new “Rainbow”.
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