Holland Jachtbouw has announced the order for the construction of a replica of one of the most sensational J-Class yachts ever built. The contract for the 39.5-metre Yankee was officially signed by Simon Dierdorp, the leader of the syndicate, at the Monaco show and the race is now on to have the yacht ready in time for the J-Class regatta events in England in summer 2012. Holland Jachtbouw is also currently building the J-Class yacht Rainbow.
The original Yankee was launched in 1930 and was a three-time challenger in the preliminary rounds to defend the America’s Cup. She was designed by the legendary Frank C. Paine for John S. Lawrence and Chandler Hovey, and built at the Lawley yard in Boston, Massachusetts. Yankee was renowned for being fast in a breeze and the beamiest of her contemporaries. She also made global headlines when her navigator Elizabeth Hovey became the first woman to race a J-Class yacht in 1934. Despite her major historical importance, Yankee was broken up in 1941 as part of the war effort.
The new Yankee has been redesigned by Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects by Gerard Dijkstra, following closely the original template of Frank C. Paine. In accordance with the latest J-Class Association regulations, she will be built in aluminium with a carbon mast and rigging and 3-DL sails. Constructed to Lloyds and MCA, Yankee will be used for both racing and chartering.
The build of the hull will begin in October 2010 at Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw in Makkum (NL) for delivery to Holland Jachtbouw in 2011. Yankee‘s unique propulsion setup will include a main engine of 294 kW, a 50 kW hybrid generator and a 50 kW auxiliary generator. The interior design is based on a permanent crew of seven and, for racing purposes, accommodation in pipe cots for another 21 crew members. After the J-Class regattas in England, the plan is for Yankee to be available for charter during the Olympic Games.
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