The remodeling or rebuild is being done for a repeat client. Rainbow will be built and fitted out to race with the existing and new J’s according to the J Class Association (JCA) rules.
A Boxboom will be used instead of the Park Avenue boom and the design of the rigging will be original. The 40 meter yacht will now have an aluminum hull and full carbon mast and rigging.
To keep the J-Class fleet and races alive and to encourage new build yachts to enter the field, new JCA maximum performance rules have been developed, including allowing aluminum as building material. The new rule is a Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) based rating system which puts limits to the performance. This new rule has been developed by the Dykstra & Partners office and the Wolfson Unit in Southampton. The aim of the JCA, the Dykstra team and the rule is to bring fair & close racing to the fleet and to give all designs a chance of winning.
The original Rainbow was built in 1934 to defend the America’s Cup against Endeavour. But Rainbow was sold for scrap in 1940. Gerard Dykstra & Partners has been appointed to redesign this J-class boat, based on the original drawings.
