the biggest and most important yacht restoration in the world today?
From Boat International by Dea Jusufi
Image - Waterline Media
There are only three of the original J Class fleet in existence and the only wooden J, SHAMROCK V, has recently undergone a bow-to-stern restoration at Saxon Wharf in Southampton.
At some point between 1848 and 1931, Scottish yachtsman and tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton said: “Never despair, keep pushing on”. Perhaps it was one of his five America’s Cup defeats that inspired these words, as he resolutely entered a string of wooden sailing yachts named SHAMROCK into the competition and graciously accepted the loss each time.
His fifth and final defeat was on board his largest SHAMROCK yet — a 36.5-metre wood- Bermudan-rigged sailing yacht, built in wood and steel and therefore known as a “composite” yacht at the time. She hit the water at Camper & Nicholsons’ Gosport shipyard in 1930 and in the 93 years since then, she has lived a good life — although the last few years have been a “sad little bit in her history,” admits Paul Spooner, the designer and naval architect who has led an ambitious restoration project. In addition to being the only remaining J built in wood and she is also the only one to have never fallen into dereliction since her launch – the other two remaining members of the J Class fleet, the 38.5-metre Velsheda and the 39.6-metre Endeavour, had to be reconstructed entirely.
The 1930s America's Cup challenger also known as "The Queen of the J Class" – was relaunched today at Saxon Wharf in Southampton, UK (20 May). This follows the most comprehensive restoration and rebuild in her 94-year history. (click to enlarge)
The 36.4-metre sailing yacht sustained significant structural damage and was laid up ashore while racing at the America's Cup in 2017. Following a change of owner and a strip down "literally to the last bolt", the sailing yacht has been restored to concours condition after seven years.
SHAMROCK V will now be re-masted and undergo sea trials, commissioning, sail testing and race training. She is scheduled to move to the Mediterranean in July, when she will take part in some "informal events" in preparation for the America's Cup in October.
In modern race configuration, SHAMROCK V carries over 743.2 square metres of sail and suits from North and Doyle. She will have a permanent crew of nine and will race with up to 45 crew dependent on wind and conditions.
Paul Spooner, who led the project team alongside Feargus Bryan, said: "It has been a massive undertaking and a huge privilege to unite extraordinary talents across the classic and superyacht communities. We were very fortunate to have a committed and knowledgeable owner who enabled us to fully and correctly restore this vital part of yachting history and prepare her for her next 100 years."
Chief shipwright, Giles Brotherton added: "It is very rare to be able to work on a revival of this scale and ambition. Some of our artisans were using hand tools that were used on SHAMROCK’s original build. It is without doubt the biggest and arguably the most important yacht restoration in the world today."
SHAMROCK V sailing before the restoration Image -Carlo Borlenghi