J Class: Making the commitment

While modern America’s Cup boats will come and go, the iconic J Class lives on through the commitment of passionate owners. The latest to get a makeover is the 42.2-metre J Class Hanuman in the Netherlands for a seven-month refit to prepare for the 2025 St Barths Bucket.

In total, nine J Class yachts are currently active, including three original surviving Js – Velsheda, Shamrock, and Endeavour – and six replicas that have been built since 2003 – Ranger, Rainbow, Hanuman, Lionheart, Topaz, and Svea.

Launched in 2009, Hanuman is a replica of Endeavour II (1936) which was an unsuccessful challenger in the 1937 America’s Cup, and was later scrapped in 1968. – Full report