As I understand it, the class was revitalized by Elizabeth Meyer who funded the rebuild of Shamrock V, the first of the “Js” to be rebuilt back in the 80s. \u00a0Actually, most of them on the water now are replicas built from the original plans as the boats themselves didn’t survive.<\/p>\n
There is a special event here in Antigua in a few weeks, the classic yacht regatta<\/a>, probably the largest gathering of classic yachts in the Caribbean each year. \u00a0 Antigua is also the place that many of these huge sailing vintage America’s Cup yachts make their home for the season and I think that there are 5 or so of them here right now. \u00a0 In May they will head up to Bermuda to race in conjunction with the America’s Cup event itself.<\/p>\n Brenda and I were here for nearly a month in March and now that we are back, many of these beauties are still here. \u00a0I know that they have come and gone for other superyacht regattas in St Barths and the BVIs.<\/p>\n These boats, while each unique, have a similar hull shape and are not to be confused with most any other classic design. \u00a0With most over 100′ long, they are sleek and fast. \u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-018.jpg\")
The first of the J boats to hit the circuit in modern times was Shamrock V, the only wood J sailing today. \u00a0She is wood on metal frames and was restored by Elizabeth Meyer back in the 80s, long before the huge sailing yachts were as popular as they are today. \u00a0 She has beautiful copper colored hardware, all custom, I would expect.\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-020.jpg\")
While most of them have their woodwork covered while they are at the dock, they have impressive attention to detail as does Topaz.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-015.jpg\")
One of the boats Velsheda, has it’s own “tender” a magnificent yacht designed to look like a classic. \u00a0Bystander is it’s name, the same name as a tender owned by Vanderbilt when he campaigned a J in the 30s. \u00a0Can you imagine having the ability to have a 100′ racer and a support yacht like this?![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-017.jpg\")
Neorion was launched in 1999 and yet looks like she might have been build 100 years ago. \u00a0She was built in the Netherlands <\/a>and was completely refitted just a few years ago.
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17a-008.jpg\")
The attention to detail on Neorion is really remarkable. \u00a0You can’t let this varnish go for even a moment. ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17a-009.jpg\")
Now here’s a real looker, Adix. \u00a0She’s probably the largest boat here in Antigua right now. \u00a0She’s also new and is over 200′ long, 213′ not to put too fine a point on it. \u00a0 Learn more about her here<\/a>.
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-005.jpg\")
She has a number of “toys”. \u00a0Nice little daysailer. \u00a0Nice davits too. \u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-011.jpg\")
Everything about these yachts is huge. \u00a0How about the scale of the masts on this one.\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-009.jpg\")
This is a Wally tender, I think made in Italy and cost, well, they cost a lot. \u00a0 However, it’s peanuts compared to the “mother ship”.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-008.jpg\")
Of course, there are plenty of contemporary designs in the harbor. \u00a0I wrote about Leopard recently. \u00a0She’s one of the fastest mono-hulls in the world, capable of speeds of about 40kts. \u00a0She’s available for charter<\/a> if you have the coin. \u00a0 She looks fast from the bow.\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-006.jpg\")
And from the stern. \u00a0All business.\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-010.jpg\")
And speaking of charter, 100′ Penelope was designed for the charter business and even makes the point on her stern, “by Luxury Living”. \u00a0 Check out her site<\/a>.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-012.jpg\")
Want to charter but prefer a grey ride? \u00a0\u00a0Check out Seawave<\/a>. She’s fast too. \u00a0The site says that she cruises at 9kts and has a top speed of 11kts. \u00a0Pandora goes 9kts and she’s less than half as long. \u00a0 Heck, skip this and go with Leopard if you want fast as she’s 4x faster.
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17b-013.jpg\")
Fast, sleek or even grey, there is nothing that compares to a classic schooner and Elena was designed by Nathaniel Herreshoff “the wizard of Bristol” in RI in 1911. Her namesake didn’t survive but the design lives on in Elena, a replica launched in 2009.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17a-007.jpg\")
I guess that the owner wasn’t hurt too much by the recession. \u00a0 \u00a0Check out her site.<\/a>\u00a0 Lot’s of great information about this remarkable yacht.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17a-004.jpg\")
Well, I guess that’s about it for now. \u00a0I could go on all day as there are many more yachts that I have not included here. \u00a0 Antigua, at least in the winter season, is home to the world’s most magnificent yachts, that’s for sure.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/4-9-17a-010.jpg\")
Did I mention that Brenda’s gone home? \u00a0I miss her, even if the Grand Dames of Antigua are here and she’s not.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"