There are very few J-class yachts left to (re)build from the 1930s. One of these is the majestic J Class sailing yacht J9, now ready to start construction at Holland Jachtbouw in the Netherlands. Superyacht J9 is expected to attend the highly anticipated America’s Cup 2017 in Bermuda, where the Js will compete in a classic event that will echo the heydays of the 1930s.
J Class superyacht J9
The new J9 yacht is based upon a so-called super-J for which the original hull lines were drawn in 1936 by Frank Paine, the designer of Yankee yacht and a highly experienced yachtsman. This design was commissioned by Gerhard Lambert, who owned Yankee and the legendary three-mast schooner Atlantic.
“The yacht we now call J9 was never built as Lambert did not win the right to defend the America’s Cup in 1937,” explains Andre Hoek. “But Paine’s template for a super-J with the maximum allowable waterline length impressed back then and still does so today. The term ‘super J’ was used with good reason. During the early 30s the waterline of the Js grew from around 80 feet in 1930 to 83 feet in 1934 and 87 feet by 1936. The latter were significantly faster and dubbed the super-Js because of their increased size. As Ranger and Endeavour II – who competed for the last America’s Cup race in 1937 – were both 87 feet, the romantics among us can be forgiven for seeing another reason for calling them super!”
Ten Js were originally constructed between 1930 and 1937. The first J Class vessel redesigned and reconfigured by Hoek Design was superyacht Lionheart, launched by Claasen Jachtbouw in 2010. The second J Class sailing yacht J11 is currently in build, and the third is J8 yacht, due to be launched by Holland Jachtbouw soon. J9 is a fourth J to be built and the 32nd superyacht build that Holland Jachtbouw and Hoek Design have teamed up on.
Like the other three Js optimised by Hoek Design, the 21st-century version of superyacht J9 has been designed on the basis of continuous longitudinal framing in order to reduce longitudinal deflection and to reduce the head stay sag. She has been extensively optimised under the new J-class handicap system and extensive studies have been completed into key factors such as the displacement-length ratio, stability, mast position and sail area.
Luxury yacht J9 will see such a crucial development as short communication lines between the main trimmers, helmsman, the runners and tactician, so that the helmsman can steer the yacht without wearing headsets. Another major benefit is a reduction in the amount of crew required.
Technical Specifications of J9 Yacht
LOA: 42.60 m (140 ft)
LWL: 26.82 m (original) (88 ft)
Draught: 4.60 m (15 ft)
Displacement approx. 180 tonnes
Hull construction: Aluminium
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