This week, Vitters Shipyard launched the J-Class Ranger after an extensive refit at the yard. Ranger, also known as J-5 underwent an extensive refit, bringing her again in top class operational condition with an improved performance level. The refit included the overhaul of her engine room, a new hydraulic system, complete exchange of all the navigation and communication electronics, full service of rigging, new teak deck, cockpit, helm station and the repainting of her hull.
Greg Sloat, the owners representative cannot wait to go racing again with Ranger.
“Together with the Vitters team we brought Ranger in the best shape ever to prepare her for the America’s Cup in New Zealand 2021. We are very satisfied with the overall experience at the Dutch yard. The Vitters team proved to be “exceptional flexible with many skilled and creative employees. What I especially enjoyed was the teamwork between the yard and the crew of the boat. Vitters offered us the possibility to work in the evenings and Saturdays and provided with everything we needed to finish the job in time.”
“Every day we feel honored to be working on J Class Ranger. This yacht has such a long history and she truly is a piece of art. For people like us, with a passion for sailing, the J Class yachts will always be something special,” says Project Manager Gerrit Jongman. “With projects on this scale, it is hard to foresee all details from the start. Greg Sloat, Ed Handasyde Dick (captain) and the crew are great people to work with and we all look back on a very fruitful cooperation.”
After departure from the yard in Zwartsluis early December, Ranger will be transported to Zaandam for her official launch. After sea trails on the North Sea, she will depart to the Caribbean for some race practicing. First stop will be St. Barths in Spring 2020. From there, she will sail to New Zealand to participate in the J Class regattas taking place during the America’s Cup in 2021.
History of Ranger
As all J Class yachts, Ranger has a long and fascinating history. The origins of Ranger go back to 1937. Upon receiving the challenge for the America’s Cup. The New York Yacht Club set about organizing a defense. The obvious candidate to assemble a syndicate and campaign a new boat was Harold S. Vanderbilt, the skipper of Enterprise and Rainbow. Vanderbilt proposed to Olin Stephens that he join forces with Starling Burgess to design the new defender.
Ranger was constructed at Bath Iron Works and launched in May 1937. She successfully defended the 1937 America’s Cup, defeating the English challenger, Endeavour II 4-0 in Newport Rhode Island.
The construction of a replica of Ranger was started at the Danish Yachts Shipyard in Skagen, Denmark in early 2002 and she was completed in December 2003. Today Ranger is, without question, a beautiful work of art as much as she is the showcase of modern marine technology.
Currently under construction at Vitters Shipyard
Another project currently under construction at Vitters Shipyard is a new build 164-foot (50 meter) classic ketch, which will be launched January 2020. The construction of a new 184-foot (56 meter) project will start in March coming year.
