J-class Ranger refit finished at Witters

J-class Ranger refit finished at Witters

In mid-December, the shipyard Vitters launched after overhaul yacht J-class Ranger... Ranger, also known as J-5, has undergone an extensive refurbishment that brought it back to a top-level operating condition with improved performance. The following works were carried out at the shipyard:

• overhauled the engine room;
• installed a new hydraulic system;
• completely replaced all navigation and communication electronics;
• fully checked the rigging;
• laid a new teak deck;
• updated cockpit and wheelhouse;
• repainted the body.

J-class Ranger refit completed at Vitters shipyard

J-class Ranger refit finished at Witters

Sloat commented:

“Together with the team Witters we brought Ranger in the best shape she has ever been in order to participate in America's Cup 2021 in New Zealand. We are very pleased with the experience of working with the Dutch shipyard. Command Vitters proved to be an extremely flexible team of qualified and creative employees. What I especially liked was the teamwork of the shipyard with the yacht's crew. Vitters gave us the opportunity to work on evenings and Saturdays, and also provided us with everything we needed to finish the refit on time. "

“We are proud to work on the Ranger every day. This yacht has such a long history and is truly a work of art. For sailing enthusiasts like us J-class yachts will always be something special, ”said the project manager Gerrit Jongmen.

“At the start of a project of this scale, it is difficult to foresee all the details. Greg Sloat, captain Ed Handeside Dick and the crew are great people to work with. We remember our cooperation with pleasure. "

Ranger completed refit at Vitters shipyard

Ranger completed refit at Vitters shipyard

J-class Ranger refit finished at Witters

J-class Ranger refit finished at Witters

After leaving the shipyard Zvartsleisa at the beginning of December, the yacht was sent to Zaandam for the official launch. After passing through the North Sea, Ranger will go to the Caribbean for training. The first stop will be St. Barts in the spring of 2020. From there, the yacht's route lies to New Zealand to participate in regattas. J-classheld within America's Cup 2021.

Ranger Story

Like all J-class yachts, Ranger can tell a long and fascinating story that began in 1937. New York Yacht Club then received a call to America's Cup and thought about creating a worthy protector.

Obviously, the best candidate for a syndicate and a yacht building campaign at the time was Harold S. Vanderbilt, skipper Enterprise and Rainbow... Vanderbilt suggested Olin Stevens team up with Starling Burgess to develop a new defender.

The Ranger yacht was built on Bath iron works and launched in May 1937. She successfully competed in the 1937 America's Cup by defeating the English challenger Endeavor II 4-0 at Newport, Rhode Island.

Historic moment: Ranger bypasses Endeavor II

Ranger Model

In the early 40s Ranger was written off. Its exact copy was built in Denmark, at the shipyard Danish Yachts in Skagen. Construction started in early 2002 and completed in December 2003.

Today Rangerremains without a doubt a beautiful piece of art and showcases the epitome of modern marine technology.

06.01.2020