Jap was discovered in Cornwall and after being brought back to Hamble she was thoroughly surveyed and prepared for the extensive restoration process. After over one hundred years of use and at least one rebuild the first job was to pull the deck line back into shape, with the aid of original plans and the Architect’s eye. The lead keel was dropped clear and the backbone repaired. The grown frames where then replaced as necessary, using sawn or laminated iroko as the shape dictated. 50% of the planks were left in situ to act as ribbands for the complete replacement of the steamed timbers.
Specifications:
- LOA - 18.0m (59')
- Lwl - 12.8m (42')
- Bmax - 3.8m (12'6")
- Draft - 2.5m (8' 2')
- Displacement - 24t
- Sail Area - 150 sq m (1518 sq ft)
Long lengths of pitch pine were found for the planking (the original species) and lapped scarf joints were put on frames. The sheer strake was fitted in iroko, and the lower two strakes were English elm. The deck was replaced in teak, tongue and grooved and secret fastened and the deck was left as clear as possible, with the halyards and reef lines led below.
After six months work the yacht was launched in late July 2002. Jap is kept on a trailer in a 40ft container, to minimise the chances of damage whilst being transported to and from the Regattas.
From the moment of the first sail trial it was apparent that Jap was an extremely fast and weatherly yacht. The incredible balance of the hull under a full spread of canvas led to fingertip tiller control right up to hull speed, when the stern wave slid undisturbed off the very end of the counter.
