J Class YachtsCharter SailingClassic Yacht ReplicasAmerica's Cup HistoryLuxury Yachts for Sale
From 1934 to 2012
The original Rainbow, a J Class built in 1930, defended the America's Cup in 1934, cementing her place in sailing history. This 40-metre replica, built in 2012, carries the same name and clean, timeless lines. With an asking price of €8,750,000, she offers modern comforts while respecting her heritage. Her decks are clean, featuring a mahogany doghouse and skylight.
Craftsmanship in Mahogany and Oak
Step aboard and the first thing you notice is the wood. A mahogany doghouse and a matching skylight dominate the deck, drawing the eye forward in a way no fiberglass coachroof ever could. Below, the theme continues: mahogany panelling lines the interior, set against painted panel ceilings that lighten the space without losing warmth. The sole is laid in oak, a sturdy, traditional choice that feels solid underfoot. In the lower saloon, a clever piece of joinery converts the lounge area into a day bed, offering a place to stretch out during a long afternoon passage or a quiet nap while anchored. That combination of materials and mechanics is what separates a true replica from a lookalike. The doghouse, for instance, isn't just a decorative nod—it houses the companionway and provides light and ventilation below, just as it did on the 1930 original. Every surface has been finished to a standard that expects close inspection. The oak floors, with their subtle grain, take on a honeyed glow in the afternoon sun, and the mahogany panels are book-matched and polished to a deep, reflective shine.
Eight Guests in Four Cabins
Accommodation on board Rainbow is laid out for eight guests in four cabins. The owner's cabin takes up a generous portion of the layout, featuring a double bed and an ensuite bathroom. The two twin guest cabins are also ensuite, and each one adds a Pullman bunk above one of the beds, allowing the yacht to sleep a full charter party without packing anyone into a saloon settee. That arrangement is a practical answer to the classic J Class dilemma: how to keep the exterior proportions authentic while providing the privacy and comfort a modern charter client expects. The Pullman bunks fold away during the day, keeping the cabins feeling spacious rather than cramped. All three guest cabins share the same level of finish as the owner's quarters—the same mahogany panelling, the same oak floors, the same attention to detail. The result is a layout that works for families, couples, or a group of friends, with each cabin offering a true stateroom experience rather than a compromise. The ensuite bathrooms are fully fitted, and the overall volume of the interior, despite the low-profile deck, feels remarkably airy.
Four Ways to Dine at Sea
Eating aboard Rainbow is a matter of choosing your mood because the yacht offers four distinct dining areas. The cockpit, tucked under the doghouse, seats up to eight guests and serves as the primary alfresco option, sheltered from wind but open to the air. The foredeck provides another open-air setting, again with capacity for eight, perfect for a lunch anchor in a calm bay. Inside, the main saloon dining area also seats eight, with the mahogany table as the centerpiece. Then there's the pill box—a raised seating nook forward of the cockpit that accommodates four people. That space is a rarity on modern yachts, a purpose-built observational alcove where you can sit with coffee and watch the crew handle the sails. Each area has its own character: the pill box feels intimate and elevated, the foredeck is exposed and adventurous, the cockpit is protected yet social, and the interior is formal and warm. Chef service adapts to whichever setting a charter party chooses, from a casual spread on the foredeck to a seated dinner under the skylight.
Captain and Crew
Captain Mathew Sweetman is extremely passionate about his command of Rainbow and is really excited about this beautiful yacht. He has hand-picked an experienced and dedicated crew.