j yacht topaz

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

A pocket guide to the J Class yachts – the world’s most elegant racing fleet

• Toby Hodges
• March 19, 2017

Toby Hodges profiles the world's most beautiful fleet of classic racing yachts – the J Class

Shamrock V – JK3

J Class yacht Shamrock sailplan

LOA: 36.50m /119ft 9in · LWL: 26.7m/87ft 7in · Beam: 6.00m/19ft 8in · Disp: 166 tonnes

Original lines: Charles E Nicholson

Modified design: Dykstra Naval Architects

Launch year and yard: 1930, Camper & Nicholsons

Identifying features: The only wooden J and the smallest. Dark green hull with bronze deck fittings.

Current state: She has just had a refit in Palma after a long period under her past owner chartering, cruising and occasional racing.

Race prediction:Her smaller size means she will struggle against the other J Class yachts in real time – but she has the most experienced skipper and her recent mods are all aimed at making her competitive on handicap.

Skipper: Simon Lacey · Race Helmsman: Mike ‘Moose’ Sanderson

Photo: J Class Association / Gerhard Standop

Velsheda – JK7

J Class yacht Velsheda sailplan

LOA: 39.25m/128ft 9in · LWL: 27.8m/91ft 3in · Beam: 6.57m/21ft 7in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 1933, Camper & Nicholsons. Rebuilt by Southampton Yacht Services in 1997.

Identifying features: Dark blue hull, pinched transom and that iconic sharp J bow.

Current state: Continually optimised and very well prepared.

Race prediction: Highly experienced, well-gelled crew and a yacht that is looking particularly nimble and aggressive at the start. Despite surrendering size to the modern J Class yachts she’s a firm favourite to win any regatta.

Skipper: Barney Henshaw-Depledge · Race helmsman: Owner-driver

Helen Fretter goes racing on board J Class yacht Velsheda

Photo: J Class Association / Onne van der Wal

Endeavour – JK4

J Class yacht Endeavour sailplan

LOA: 39.31m/128ft 12in · LWL: 27.30m/89ft 7in · Beam: 6.68m/21ft 11in · Disp: 175 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 1934, Camper & Nicholson. Relaunched by Royal Huisman in 1989.

Identifying features: Royal ‘Endeavour Blue’ hull, clean deck, single deckhouse.

Current state: Completely refitted by Yachting Developments in 2010-11. Based between Palma and Cascais she is for sale through Edmiston and in prize condition.

Race prediction: Fully optimised and race ready, but is up for sale and now already unlikely to be ready in time for Bermuda.

Skipper: Luke Bines · Race helmsman: N/A (Torben Grael in 2012)

Video exclusive: what it’s like to sail the iconic J Class Endeavour

Photo: J Class Association / Jens Fischer

Ranger – J5

J Class yacht Ranger sailplan

LOA: 41.63m/136ft 7in · LWL: 28.80m/94ft 6in · Beam: 6.41m/21ft 0in · Disp: 203 tonnes

Original design: Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens

Modified design: Studio Scanu, Reichel Pugh, Fred Elliot and Dykstra Naval Architects

Launch year and yard: 2003, Danish Yacht

Identifying features: White hull with snub nose and spoon bow.

Current state: Refitted and optimised at Newport Shipyard 2016, where chainplates were moved forward and tracks modified to take a bigger headsail.

Race prediction: The heaviest J, but a rocket in flat water, such as in Bermuda’s Great Sound. A veteran crew whose consistency is Ranger’s trump card.

Skipper: Dan Jackson · Race helmsman: Erle Williams

Ranger J5 – the first completely new J Class yacht

Ranger , J5 RYS centenary 2015. Photo Paul Wyeth

Rainbow – JH2

J Class yacht Rainbow sailplan

LOA: 39.89m/130ft 11in · LWL: 26.90m/88ft 3in · Beam: 6.42m/21ft 1in · Disp: 167 tonnes

Original lines: William Starling Burgess

Launch year and yard: 2012, Holland Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Black hull, red bottom and modern grey rig with race boom.

Current state: Sold in 2015 by Chris Gongriep, the former owner of Holland Jachtbouw, she has since solely been used for cruising by her US owner who shows no signs of wanting to race, although she will be in Bermuda to watch.

Race prediction: Was cruised and raced extensively for a couple of seasons after she was built and has proven to be a supremely fast boat for her size in the right hands.

J Class yacht Rainbow – the Dutch destroyer

Hanuman – JK6

J Class yacht Hanuman sailplan

LOA: 42.19m/138ft 5in · LWL: 27.50m/90ft 3in · Beam: 6.60m/21ft 8in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 2009 Royal Huisman

Identifying features: Carries the old Endeavour II sail number JK6 – but a totally modern day reinterpretation of Sopwith’s second boat, built in aluminium.

Current state: Her weight and stability were optimised at Newport Shipyard in 2016 and she was also fitted with a new mast and rigging, plus a new furling headstay.

Race prediction: With her same core Comanche/Puma crew and Ken Read on the wheel, this is a highly race-oriented J Class yacht.

Skipper: Greg Sloat · Race helmsman: Ken Read

Inside J class yacht Hanuman

Lionheart JH1

J Class yacht Lionheart sailplan

LOA: 43.4m/142ft 5in · LWL 27.2m/89ft 3in · Beam: 6.55m/21ft 6in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens

Modified design: Hoek Design

Launch year and yard: 2010, Bloemsma and Claasen Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Black hull and rig, bulwarks giving a high freeboard effect, two deckhouses.

Current state: Constantly upgraded, Lionheart has new North raw sails with plans to build more sails before Bermuda.

Race prediction: Lionheart is consistently optimised, has some key pros and a fantastic crew spirit. Should be finishing in the top three in Bermuda.

Skipper: Toby Brand · Race helmsman: Owner-driver · Tactics: Bouwe Bekking

J Class yacht Lionheart J/H1 – replica of an original that was never built

Photo: J Class Association / Thierry Martinez

J Class yacht Topaz sailplan

LOA: 42.7m/140ft 1in · LWL: 27.8m/91ft 3in · Beam: 6.75m/22ft 2in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Frank Paine

Launch year and yard: 2015, Holland Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Longest waterline of all the Js (for which there is a sail area penalty) she has a striking Art Deco interior and a dark blue hull with turquoise antifoul.

Current state: New and raring to go.

Race prediction: With her fuller volume forward, longer waterline and shorter keel, Hoek believes she will be the fastest J Class downwind and in light airs. The crew has practised hard since last year and now has top big boat helm in Holmberg.

Skipper: Romke Lopik · Race helmsman: Peter Holmberg

New J Class yacht named Topaz is launched – and the design team says she is “absolutely stunning”

Photo: J Class Association / Carlo Borlenghi

J Class yacht Svea sailplan

LOA: 43.6m/143ft 1in · LWL: 27.6m/90ft 7in · Beam: 6.65m/21ft 10in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Tore Holm

Launch year and yard: 2017, Bloemsma / Vitters

Identifying features: Dark grey metallic hull, near flush ultra-clean, ergonomically optimised deck with low single doghouse and huge 8ft diameter wheel that turns in a well that extends down to the keel frames.

Current state: Just launched.

Race prediction: Tore Holm was a gifted Metre designer and Svea looks like a fast upwind boat, with a race oriented deck design and a slippery underwater shape. It’s asking a lot of her crew to be competitive for 2017.

Skipper: Paul ‘PK’ Kelly

Race helmsman: Owner driver

Nine Js and counting: J Class Svea J-S1 is sold and under construction at Vitters

The history of the J-Class

The Js are inextricably linked with the America’s Cup as, barring Velsheda , all were built for the purpose of America’s Cup racing. From 1929 to 1937, 20 J Class yachts were designed. Ten of these went on to be built, with six racing in the America’s Cup finals. A modern J Class yacht’s  lines can only be taken from the original designs, ensuring the fleet’s look endures.

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Topaz, launched in 2015, is also based on a 1935 design that was never built. This yacht has the longest waterline in the J Class, with the highest keel aspect ratio and lowest wetted surface area. Andre Hoek, who also designed Topaz and Rainbow, describes the yacht as a “good all-around performer.” The interior retains […]

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Topaz , launched in 2015, is also based on a 1935 design that was never built. This yacht has the longest waterline in the J Class, with the highest keel aspect ratio and lowest wetted surface area. Andre Hoek, who also designed Topaz and Rainbow , describes the yacht as a “good all-around performer.” The interior retains a 1930s sensibility, with high-gloss Macassar ebony, leather panels on the wall, and stainless-steel rims. The floors are straight-cut walnut.

Photo: J Class/Carlo Borlenghi

Photo: JCLASS | Carlo Borlenghi

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Topaz (J8) // Holland Jachtbouw // J-Class

Holland jachtbouw launched the new j-class sailing yacht "topaz". she will carry the sail emblem "j8"..

Hoek Design created the lines and gave her the longest waterline currently on J-Class Yachts. Topaz will undergo now her sea trails with the project managers and the naval architects.

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New J Class Sailing Yacht TOPAZ (J8) splashes at Holland Jachtbouw

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

The new J Class sailing yacht TOPAZ , previously known as J8, has recently splashed at the Holland Jachtbouw ’s shipyard in Zaandam, on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Magnificently penned by Hoek , superyacht TOPAZ has been built with a reduced wetted surface and higher keel aspect ratio to the longest waterline length yet to be seen in a J Class yacht.

J Class super yacht TOPAZ (J8) just launched at Holland Jachtbouw

Topaz will soon start her commissioning sea trials with the project teams from HJB and Cornelsen and Partner, the project managers, as well as the naval architects from the Hoek office.

The all-new luxury yacht TOPAZ brings the J Class Association ’s fleet to 8 yachts on the water.

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Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "New J Class Sailing Yacht TOPAZ (J8) splashes at Holland Jachtbouw".

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"Topaz" : Regatta day on an impressive J-Class yacht

Sören Gehlhaus

 ·  03.09.2023

The strongest aesthetic shower sets in at the same time as the first real heel. Upwind, the moderate beam, the lavish overhangs and the carbon rig with 130 per cent overlapping genoa work perfectly. Then the bow creates a wave that sucks the water along the aluminium hull. Of course, this can only be seen from on board to a limited extent, but it can be felt. The unbeatable aesthetics of sailing when "Topaz" shows large parts of her well-proportioned underwater hull, in the most beautiful turquoise colour, in keeping with the yacht's name.

Sailing on the almost 90-year-old J-Class crack feels almost contemporary. In contrast, the 170-tonne displacement long-keel yachts on aft courses have to plough through and not glide over, as racing yachts of the moment do with their increasingly flatter hulls, even on non-stop circumnavigations. Once again, it is extremely impressive to witness the sophisticated choreography of the foredeck crew, especially when the wind is blowing from behind.

Coastal race off Mallorca

While "Topaz" crosses the starting line, the on-board reporter sits in the centre cockpit, surrounded by winches the size of a mortar bucket for the headsail, the 3D hoist points, backstays and mainsheet. Aft of the metal compass house stand helmsman Peter Holmberg and his tactician Francesco de Angelis. It is the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma, and Mallorca's thermals are producing medium winds of up to 15 knots.

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Today we have a coastal race, not rounding landmarks like Porto Cervo or St Barth, but buoys off the Mallorcan coast. Yesterday, only the J-Class yachts went out into the Bay of Palma for two races. From the start, the up-and-down courses were surprisingly close, and even when calculated, there were only a few seconds between the four racing beauties, which are separated by a 15-year age difference and in which the steel "Ranger" even differs in hull material. The race committee widened the starting line for today because the racing yachts, which were just over 40 metres long, had almost come close to each other the day before. Like "Topaz" skipper Peter Holmberg, many of the J helmsmen come from a match racing background.

One first and one second place are on the books. The pre-start phase is not hectic, but the tension is omnipresent. The manoeuvres become faster, the mechanical rattling of free-running winches breaks the perceived silence. The J 8 turns two boat lengths away from the starting boat under "Velsheda", which appears to be parked, and immediately picks up speed while the foremost foreship man Mike Pammenter signals the distance to the line by hand. The boat takes to the course a little after the starting signal. "Nice", Holmberg motivates himself and his crew by radio.

Creation of the J-Class

"Topaz" was completed by Holland Jachtbouw in 2015 and measures 42.62 metres from the spearhead-like stem to the half-moon transom. The design, optimised by André Hoek, was based on a Frank C. Paine design drawn in 1935 that was never realised. After analysing all the J-Class lines still available, the Dutch design team found that the Paine crack would produce a yacht that was fast in virtually all wind conditions. The newer replicas all went through a calculation software (VPP) that predicts the performance potential using design and environmental data. The original plans were usually surprisingly sophisticated. For example, the legendary US designer Olin Stephens carried out tank tests for "Ranger" back in the 1930s and set the standard for the development of fast yachts with this pioneering work.

The nucleus of the J-Renaissance was the "Endeavour", built in 1934, which Royal Huisman helped to restore to its former glory together with Elizabeth Meyer in 1989. This was followed 15 years later by "Ranger", the first building based on the historical model. The youngest and longest of the six other replicas at 43.60 metres is the "Svea", completed in 2017 and taking part in the Superyacht Cup for the first time with Swedish co-owner Niklas Zennström ("Rán") and Bouwe Bekking as tactician. The last time more than three Js competed in the Superyacht Cup was in 2014, when there were six. At the peak of the premier class, seven met in 2017 for the America's Cup off Bermuda. After that, things went quiet and a dispute arose between the owners over measurement details, which even the class association was unable to resolve for a long time.

The helmsman comes from the US Virgin Islands

During the long upwind leg far out of the bay of Palma, "Velsheda" sets off to the right and thus, as on the previous day, on the wrong side. Navigator Nacho Postigo reports: "We are currently the second fastest boat." Despite consistent cover, "Svea" reaches the windward mark first. Although the barrel is close, Holmberg continues to shield "Ranger". There is a loud bang as the open foot of the mainsail breaks through, and the five-minute preparations for setting the asymmetrical sail, for which the spinnaker pole is driven just above the deck, begin immediately. Peter Holmberg stands lightly and firmly at the wheel. The helmsman comes from the US Virgin Islands, not to be confused with the British Virgin Islands to the north. He is American-cool, but not unpleasantly loud like some mainlanders.

At times it seems as if Holmberg is holding on to the Ferris wheel, for example when he lets himself fall backwards. Then he bends his knees low so that he can see under the genoa apron. Although there is only a small wave of wind, his hands are constantly in motion, usually from a sideways position and with his upper arms close to his body. When he is not moving himself, Holmberg directs the human "ballast".

For example, for roll tacking - as it is actually called here - which requires 20 people to stay on the new leeward edge for ten seconds. Or he speaks instructions into his headset almost in a whisper during lulls: "Half the crew to leeward and in front of the shrouds. Feet over the edge please." Radio communication is one reason why everything runs so smoothly. The other: Everyone is well-rehearsed and knows each other. "Almost 90 per cent of the crew have been sailing on 'Topaz' since 2016. A handful were already on the owner's previous yacht," explains Tim Kröger, who has been Race Crew Manager for six years. "Our average age is 48 years. We work with very heavy loads, so we need experienced people."

Yacht management by Tim Kröger

For some time now, the Hamburg native has also been in charge of yacht management for "Topaz", which includes planning the permanent crew together with the captain and coordinating shipyard visits. The race crew is hand-picked, Tim Kröger's maxim is: "They have to fit in sailing-wise, but also socially. We don't need big egos here, we want to have fun sailing in a regatta despite all the professionalism." The 57-year-old has also called on former companions. He himself was involved in two America's Cup campaigns, for France and South Africa. Holmberg even won the Auld Mug once with Alinghi. A total of 40 people are on board today, as the class rules do not allow more. The decisions of the helmsman and tactician are based on Nacho Postigo's navigation, weather and position data. The Spaniard is the only person who communicates with de Angelis in Italian.

The language on board is English, but the majority of the sailors are German. Thomas "Flomi" Zankel has been on board for 15 years and sailed on the previous yacht. Together with Dirk Neumann, he is responsible for the backstays. Eckhard "Ecki" Kaller from Lake Constance supports the French main trimmer Yann Gouinot. Kröger himself operates the halyards on the mast. He wears knee pads and his white Oakley sunglasses have a similar shape to models from the late nineties. And it is precisely from this period that he has reactivated former companions and brought them back to the Spibaum system, which is familiar to many from previous America's Cups. While the gennaker generation is often only familiar with the procedure with a fixed nose from skiffs, sports boats or TP52s, double spinnaker tackle is used here. Team "Topaz" has participated in 34 ACs - mostly in the more comparable pre-foiling era.

The team deserves its name

They are masters of their craft, which for jibes or shifts includes picking and unpicking the torpedo-sized spinnaker pole, which weighs over 150 kilograms and is 18 metres long. Jacek Wysocki from Poland, with the stature of a weightlifter, reports on the dock with his climbing harness on that four men are needed on the mast and three on the leech. They would drive the spinnaker at up to 25 knots, even in waves in the Caribbean. There is a certain pride in his voice that many of his team mates share. 90 years ago, J-Class crews dared for the first time not to retrieve the spinnaker before jibing, but to lead the spinnaker pole round and let it swing. Previously, this was considered an act of impossibility.

Spinnaker sailing also doesn't work without the eternal game with the topsail. Before the start, the team practises the optimum wind catch on the anticipated layline course; North sail designer Heine Sørensen records the performance values in his notebook. During the race, he passes on data and optimisations to the trimmers and helps out as a floater on the winches. "The carbon fibres make a huge difference," says the Dane about the upscale sailing wardrobe. Once correctly adjusted, the black laminate from North Sails stands like a rigid wing in the wind. "Topaz" relies on 3Di Raw, the lightest and most profiled cloth, which is less abrasion-resistant due to the lack of an outer coating.

Everyone has their own specialised area, and yet no one acts alone. "Everyone is important and has their job," emphasises Kröger. Even the stewardess, who accompanies all manoeuvres on deck and walks around the stations, some of which are 40 metres apart, with a bag full of chocolate and muesli bars, always crouching so as not to obstruct the view. For some, it's nourishment for the nerves, for others a steady supply of energy.

Strong human and mechanical forces

It takes the most manpower to haul in the headsails. A dozen sailors quickly line up and pull and tug the light cloth or stiff laminate onto the deck before it can become a brake chute. They don't even shy away from kiwi drops: like on a sports boat, they boldly jibe into the recovery manoeuvre and catch the balloon flat upwind during the short dead spot. Holmberg steers the bow around the barrel wide, and the schrick remains in the genoa sheet for a surprisingly long time to bring "Topaz" back up to maximum boat speed.

All winches turn at the behest of buttons that are embedded in the deck like trip hazards. Incidentally, the main engine runs continuously during the race, but can only be heard on aft courses. During downwind manoeuvres, when up to four drums rotate in a race, over 600 litres of oil per minute run through the hydraulic pumps, reports First Engineer Dunco Kaplan from South Africa. Nevertheless, it takes three men to free the 122 drum, which is traditionally made of metal, from the seven-layer stranglehold of the thickly sheathed Dyneema sheet.

The South African Mike Giles removes the first coil with both hands, but when the nervous slagging starts and the sail shoots onto the new leeward side, it has to be done quickly. Now the last three layers are fired down like a lasso and into the hands of Hans Eric Ståler. The 62-year-old Swede, who has been sailing regattas with the owner's family since 2008, takes over the sheet, the thickness of which is somewhere between a garden hose and a fire hose.

Ståler passes the loose material on to the cockpit to floater Heine Sørensen, who places the high-performance rigging in figure eights on the dyke. This is done in close proximity to the reporter, who spends most of his time trying not to get in anyone's way. His finest hour comes when Holmberg says: "Tell that guy in the cockpit to clear the display from that line." Pushing aside the staysail sheet reveals the view of the log on the deckhouse. It feels a bit like joining in.

If someone goes overboard, they are collected by the chase boat

Tim Kröger repeatedly emphasises that safety comes first. In March 2020, there was the Pre-start crash with "Svea" during the Superyacht Challenge Antigua . One year later, during training for the regatta, a crew member died on another maxi yacht as a result of an exploding block. To prevent this from happening, the backstay crew check after the race to see if any bolts have come loose on the blocks. In addition, all winches are disassembled and greased daily.

Minimising danger even influences the weight trim. Sitting on the high edge is not really good or safe without a railing anyway. But team manager Kröger also doesn't allow the horizontal clutching of the bulwark with flying legs, as practised on starboats or metre-class yachts in the past. Instead, everyone snuggles up to the deck. This has a huddled, yet at the same time very graceful feel to it and, in addition to visually spoiling the golden ornamental mould, prevents the boat from going overboard.

Should it happen anyway, the tender is on hand. "The rib is our life insurance policy," says Kröger, who considers driver Piet Dabelstein to be highly relevant. "In the Caribbean, a MOB manoeuvre is possible for us in a wave, but we would be on site far too late and wouldn't be able to find the person who went overboard." Most of the crew have an inflatable buoy hanging from their belts. Above all, however, the "Topaz" tender is permanently in the shade, naturally also loaded with spare sailing gear and, for the first time in Mallorca, with its own cameraman, Eike Schurr, who normally films the TP52 events. Before casting off, Holmberg asked him to record the start in order to have evidence in the event of a protest.

Tactical no room for manoeuvre

There's no getting close to "Svea" on the long approach. In principle, she is allowed to cross the line first, as she has the highest time calculation factor of all starters and has to pay for "Topaz". The navigator is constantly trying to calculate how much using forecasting software. The wind drops slightly and after a short upwind leg, the final leg is on the cards. According to Nacho Postigo, "Svea" is only a few seconds ahead of us. It is even quieter than usual on board. The A2 is upwind and Christoph Podesta, the Maltese captain from the permanent crew, is driving the sheet. He is 33 and comes from a family of sailors with whom he won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on his own yacht. His compatriot Sam hangs the boom vang on aft courses and attaches it to the bulwark.

Tactically there is no room for manoeuvre, all that remains is to stay on course and hope for a nice gust. The usual jiggling of the spinnaker starts and Postigo brings the staysail into play. De Angelis is immediately on his side, as is sail designer Sørensen.

Only Holmberg doesn't want to commit himself. Suddenly the furled sail goes up. The helmsman tries in vain to intervene, but remains relaxed as it slides off the furler. His fear: it could cause more resistance than propulsion. A breeze nips the supposed staysail conflict in the bud; "Topaz" picks up speed and the gap to "Svea" shrinks. However, it is not enough to come close to the stern of the Swedes, but the hope of a calculated victory remains at the finish. Accordingly, everyone happily indulges in clearing the water. The reporter shows initiative and helps to lift the genoa sail bag, which the A 1.5 has buried, out of the cockpit with the Brazilian floater. In the end, three of us manage to get it out - it's an empty bag. When full, it takes nine people to transport it to the foredeck.

The majority of the race crew sign on to other sailing yachts

Drinks and wraps are handed out, Mike Giles, the neighbour from the Genuawinsch, leans against the shiny painted deckhouse. "I'm very glad that there are still owners who run campaigns like this. The effort required to cast off in the first place is immense. And then there's the safety aspect. There are 40 tonnes on the forestay and up to eight tonnes on my winch," reports Giles. The 49-year-old South African first joined the "Topaz" team for the Superyacht Cup and, like many of his colleagues, lives in Mallorca, the European hub for supersailor crews from all over the world.

The effort required to even take the exam is immense.

The majority of the "Topaz" race crew sign on to other sailing yachts in addition to the three to four J regattas per year. Tim Kröger has been a sailing professional since 1994 and is broadly based. He has already written a book on the complex interplay within crews and uses his knowledge of efficient team leadership and team building in lectures. He is also hired for large corporate events. Kröger's credo: "There is no better school of life than sailing."

The power of the collective is also evident in how much it radiates beyond the actual sailing mission. The crew live together in a house on Mallorca and stay in contact with each other for the rest of the year via a WhatsApp group. The on-board reporter feels a similar bond and longs for the day's result in the evening. But it wasn't enough to beat "Svea", and what's more: the following day, "Topaz" had a pitch-black day and finished in last place. Holmberg and his team managed to recover in the final race of the Superyacht Cup Palma and hold second place in the overall standings. Another goosebump moment, albeit a much smaller one than the actual sailing on a J.

By the way: It has just been announced that the 2024 J-Class World Championship will be sailed in Barcelona. The Js will take to the water on 3 and 4 October and from 7 to 11 October 2024 in the territory of the America's Cup!

Technical data of the "Topaz"

• Original design: Frank Cabot Paine
• Design: Hoek Design Naval Architects
• Shipyard: Holland Jachtbouw
• Material: Aluminium
• Torso length: 42,68 m
• Waterline length: 26,82 m
• Width: 6,75 m
• Depth: 4,55 m
• Displacement: 178,3 t
• Sail area on the wind: 959,7 m2
• Spinnaker: 906,6 m2
• Theoretical torso speed: 12.58 kn
• Sail carrying capacity: 5,5

More on the topic:

• Superyacht Cup Palma: A European J-Class summit: XXL regatta cinema off Mallorca
• Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: J-Class yacht "Svea" wins with aplomb
• Superyacht Challange Antigua: Dramatic J-Class collision off Antigua

Most read in category Yachts

The design of the hull lines of J8 was originally from the legendary boards of Frank C. Paine. Paine is famous for his 1930 J-class yacht Yankee that was modified and updated in 1934 and the only J that could compete against the considerably longer waterline Super Js'. The lines plan shows that Paine designed J8 with an 88 ft original waterline length, a foot longer than any other J ever designed. He intended to accept a penalty on sail area for waterline length, which was quite radical in those days. The handicap system that is used nowadays is totally different but history has proven that waterline length is crucial in these designs. The hull lines of J8 proved to be very fast in an extensive research project that our office undertook. All Js from the past that could possibly be built today were examined with a specifically developed Velocity Prediction Program for yachts with long keels and long overhangs. The five designs identified as best in this research were also analysed with Computational Fluid Dynamics software. The lines of J8 came out as one of the three best performing lines, very fast in light airs and downwind in all conditions. This design has the lowest wetted surface and highest keel aspect ratio of all Js. The design was then extensively optimised to perform under the J-class Association handicap system. Mast position, stability, sail area and hull stiffness were extensively researched. The hull structure was designed and augmented to take very high runner loads in order to reduce head stay sag. The design has a double cockpit, double deckhouse layout with the helm station amidships just in front of the aft deckhouse. During racing the aft cockpit is the runner cockpit, the mid cockpit the sail storage and helm position is amidships in-between the aft deckhouse and main cockpit. The primary winches, and the mainsheet winches are close to the helmsman: this creates short communication lines and facilitates trimming and helming without the use of headsets. This concept has already proved to be very efficient on the J-class Lionheart, also from our boards. In cruising condition the aft cockpit is for the owners and directly connected to the master deckhouse and cabin, creating privacy. The 'art deco' interior is also designed by our office, a styling concept that fits the time period of the Js very well and will be unique in look and feel. The hull of J8 was built at Bloemsma Alumiuniumbouw, already responsible for two other aluminium Js (Lionheart and Rainbow). The yacht is finished by Holland Jachtbouw to a very high quality standard and launched in 2015 and has a similar hybrid propulsion installation to Rainbow. The yacht will benefit from the experience of Hoek Design and HJB with the J construction projects. 

LOA     42.7 m LWL     27.8 m Beam     6.75 m Draft     4.72 m Yard     Holland Jachtbouw Year     2015

About Topaz

After the success of Rainbow (2012), we were delighted to build another J Class sailing yacht. Topaz (previously called J8 ) was built based on the designs of Frank Cabot Paine. Paine (1890-1952) was born in Boston, as the son of three times defending challenger of the America’s Cup. Besides designing several impressive, large sailing yachts, he became well known by designing certain sailing yachts for a specific class. These were sailing yachts suitable for competitive racing in the J Class (23-26.5 metres) of the first regattas of the America’s Cup in the 1930s.

Even though the spectacular Topaz had been brought to life on paper as early as 1935, it was not until many years later that she was actually developed by the renowned architectural firm Hoek Design Naval Architects and delivered to her owner. Topaz was designed to sail as Super J in the America’s Cup and though she was built for competitive racing, she simultaneously offers all onboard facilities for comfortably cruising at its best. Hoek Design did an extensive research project, which showed that the hull lines of Topaz (J8) were very fast. The Topaz design had the lowest wet surface of all tested models and the highest keel aspect ratio of all J Class boats. After the research project, Topaz’s design was optimized to make her suitable for racing under the J Class Association handicap system. The mast position, stability, sail area and hull stiffness were also extensively researched and improved.

The aluminium hull was manufactured by Bloemsma Aluminiumbouw, who had built hulls for other J Class boats ( Lionheart and Rainbow ) as well. Special systems were integrated in the initial phase of construction and both weight and volume had to be kept to a minimum. In addition, Topaz is equipped with a hybrid drive system: one of the most advanced systems built to date. Her deck systems were designed for maximum efficiency, while also allowing Topaz to race with a smaller crew.

Topaz is one of the most beautiful sailing yachts that you have ever seen. But don’t let that fool you: above all, she’s a true racer, packed with engineering ingenuity to deliver the best possible racing performance.

The design has a double cockpit and double deckhouse layout, with the helm position in the middle of the boat, just in front of the aft deckhouse. During racing, the aft cockpit is the runner cockpit, the center cockpit serves as sail storage and the helm is located in the middle of the boat, between the aft deck house and the main cockpit. The primary and mainsheet winches are located close to the helmsman, providing short communication lines and facilitating trimming and steering without the use of headsets.

Completely in line with the spirit of the time in which the J Class sailing yachts were originally built, Topaz also features an Art Deco interior (designed by Hoek Design Naval Architects & Rhoades Young Design).

Topaz’s layout has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to eight sleeping guests in four cabins, including a master cabin and two twin cabins. She is also able to accommodate up to seven crew members on board to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience for her guests.

Topaz features a displacement aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules, and is MCA compliant.

Specifications

Above all, she’s a true racer, packed with engineering ingenuity to deliver the best possible racing performance.

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Svea Found at Fault in J-Class Collision with Topaz

A decision has been reached on the cause of the shocking collision between J Class sailing yachts  Svea  and  Topaz  during the Superyacht Challenge Antigua earlier this month.

The 43.6 metre Svea was captured riding over the stern of the 42.6 metre Topaz , resulting in the injury of three crew members.

A hearing report released by the J Class Association on the incident found  Svea responsible for the collision for failing to keep clear as the port tack boat. It also concluded that it was deemed impossible for Topaz to avoid the collision.

The incident occurred shortly before the first race on March 12, with  Topaz  approaching the starting line around one minute and 40 seconds ahead of the start of the race.

Svea , on port, was on course to collide with  Topaz  and attempted to bear away at the last moment. Despite  Topaz  luffing to avoid the crash,  Svea  collided with the port side of  Topaz , causing serious damage in the process.

Topaz’s  boom, back stays and mainsheet were broken while the port runner was torn off. The mast was put under “extreme load” according to the report, and will undergo further inspection.

Two crew members on board  Topaz  were thrown from the boat, including one who suffered four broken ribs when he was pushed overboard by the bow of  Svea . A crew member on board  Svea  was also pulled from the boat by the runner tail of  Topaz .

Following the collision, both yachts immediately retired from the race and the Superyacht Challenge Antigua. Dramatic footage of the collision was captured on board fellow J Class yacht  Velsheda .

Both  Topaz  and  Svea  are race veterans and have competed against each other in a number of international sailing regattas, including the St Barths Bucket and the Superyacht Cup Palma.

Built by Vitters,  Svea  was launched in 2017 making her the newest member of the J Class fleet.  Topaz  is also a modern J Class, and is based on an unbuilt 1935 Frank Paine design.  Topaz  was delivered by Holland Jachtbouw in 2015.

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Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Share All sharing options for: Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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J Class pair line up in Ibiza

September 26, 2023

Image credit:

Studio Borlenghi / Francesco Ferri

J Class pair Topaz and Svea will line up over the next four days on the beautiful waters off Ibiza and Formentera as they compete at the third edition of the Ibiza JoySail regatta for Maxi and Supermaxi yachts. It will be the first time the majestic J Class yachts have raced at the event which has proven increasingly popular.

From having drawn five entries to the inaugural edition in 2021, Marina Ibiza will see 15 yachts – from the 70 ft Y70 Shambo to the Baltic 151 Scorpione of London - participating between Wednesday and Saturday.

The two J Class rivals will compete off the same start line under J Class Association handicapping over two coastal races on the stunning, less well-known waters between Ibiza and the smaller island of Formentera and two days of windward-leewards which should comprise four races.

Nacho Postigo, navigator on Topaz, has helped set up the regatta, and is looking forwards to lining up against the Swedish flagged form team which, for the second year in a row, has just won the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.

Postigo enthused, “ I think the main goal for Topaz in Ibiza is just continuing assessing our performance against Svea. It will be great. It will be a like a two boat testing programme for a full week. Ibiza really is about enjoying the sailing and the racing, not super long days on the water, just super concentrated sailing and then get back and enjoy the party .”

His opposite number on Svea, British navigator Steve Hayles explains their goals but points out they, too, are looking forwards to sharing the good times on land after a busy, successful season.

“With two boats it is obvious that starting is key and so that will a goal,” Hayles says. “ We will try some different bits and pieces as far as crew work is concerned, it is a good time to try things. And it maybe sounds like a cliché but we are also here to enjoy ourselves together. It is the last regatta of the year and it is a good time to enjoy this, and Ibiza, together. It is a nice place to be. And the other important thing to remember is that we are probably looking at a lighter airs venue, the forecast look lighter and so everyone has an eye on Barcelona next year and the likelihood that can be a light airs venue with a bit of sea state. All of it is quite applicable. There is nothing new with the boat in particular, it is more a chance to line up against other boats.” Racing starts tomorrow, Wednesday 27 th September through to Saturday 30 th .

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