The J Class 'Big Class' (also known as the 'Big Class') of the 1932 British regatta circuit comprised these six boats, shown here in the order of their season's overall performance.

The most successful was Britannia with 23 flags from 32 starts. The previous season she had been converted to rate with the J-class which much improved her performance. The removal of gaff and head gear reduced her weight aloft by 3 tons and allowed the removal of 15 tons of ballast. As a result she sat higher in the water, reducing her waterline length and her displacement. Her sail area was unchanged but better disposed in a more efficient 'high aspect' rig. All this made her a flier in light airs.

In the 1932 season light winds prevailed and Britannia, now re-coppered and with a new handicap allowance, even outperforming (just) the scratch boat Shamrock V, shown here to weather of her.

Shamrock V is flying T.O.M. Sopwith's racing colours. Sopwith bought her following the death of Sir Thomas Lipton the previous autumn. She was built as a J-class cutter and was Lipton's last America's Cup Challenge two years before.Astern of Britannia is Candida and astern of Shamrock is White HeatherII, converted to race with the J's by her new owner, Woolworth proprieter W.F. Stephenson. Further astern is T.B. Davids' schooner Westward, and bringing up the rear is an underachieving Astra.

A notable absentee is Lulworth. The boat which headed the 'Big Class' in 1925 and rode that form for three seasons could not be converted to rate with the new J-class and never raced again.