The J-Class Yachts
By Ian Dear
160 pp. 4th edition. 170 photos, 20 line drawings. November 1999. Hardcover. $45.00ISBN 1 57409 091 7
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Raced for the America's Cup and other trophies between 1930 and 1937, only ten magnificent J-Class yachts were ever built. Though there have been many larger and faster vessels, no sailing class has ever gripped the public's imagination the way the J's did. Unique for their combination of size and speed, they completely dominated the yachting scene on both sides of the Atlantic until their extravagant cost and the looming shadow of World War II banished them forever.
ASTRA, BRITANNIA, SHAMROCK V, ENDEAVOUR, ENTERPRISE, YANKEE, RAINBOW, RANGER...their very names conjure up a vanished era of seagoing tycoons, fantastic splendor, and opulent beauty. In this wonderful tribute, Ian Dear tells the story of that eventful period and, with the help of extraordinary photos, recaptures its elegance and colorful social backdrop.
This latest edition features new closing chapters in which Dear recounts the tremendous revival of interest in the J-Class yachts and the restoration of nearly all those that have survived.
“captures the spirit of an era that is perhaps the most spectacular in the history of yachting.” —Sailing
“an engrossing celebration…” —Charleston Daily News
“a great reference for the legions of fans…” —Latitude 38
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About the Author:
Ian Dear is the author of a number of books on yachting history, including The America's Cup: An Informal History, The Royal Yacht Squadron 1815-1985, The Great Years in Yachting, and The Champagne Mumm Book of Ocean Racing.