New Zeland's new AC75 Americas Cup yacht

[Comshaw]

Damn! They claim it's more plane than boat (which I believe) and has a 50 knot (57 MPH) top end speed! Under sail no less! I thought my 19' runabout with a 135 HP outboard was ok fast at 40 MPH (35 Knots)! It would be shocking to have this thing fly by me. Pay attention when they make a turn. It doesn't heal over and turns tighter than any boat I've ever seen. I'd damn sure like to take a ride on it though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqpD0NUY6uw


Comshaw

 

[Brains_N_Boobs]

I wonder how many ten's of millions of dollars that cost?

 

[islandman]

The ASMR quality of that video is awesome.

 

[stickygirl]

I wonder how many ten's of millions of dollars that cost?

Less than the squillions spent on the last cup - they were insane. This time they've made them smaller to keep costs down... to millions yup

 

[Dribble]

See how stable it was as it crossed the other boat's wake? Impressive

 

[Comshaw]

See how stable it was as it crossed the other boat's wake? Impressive

That's the hydrofoil effect. In up to moderate seas hydrofoils are very stable because the hull is clear of the water and the actual load-bearing part is the "wing" below the waves. The article I found after I saw this said its hull is carbon fiber. Not really a surprise but shows just how much money they threw at this thing.

Comshaw

 

[astuffedshirt_perv]

The article I found after I saw this said its hull is carbon fiber. Not really a surprise but shows just how much money they threw at this thing.
Comshaw

Either that or how much better/cheaper/faster the carbon fiber construction process has gotten. Sports and porn foreshadow all technological advances!

 

[stickygirl]

Here's a discussion of the budgets for the AC75 in the FT ( which I hope you can access in the US ). In summary, it suggests 60% of the cost is man hours for eg
"The Ineos team’s first race boat, unveiled in October, took 90,000 man-hours to design and engineer, and 50,000 to build."

Then a YT from Dan Bernasconi about the competition being essentially a design led event.

Sailing at top events has always been exclusive because of costs, but lower down anyone can compete in local sailing clubs on a 20 year dinghy that cost $300, which is what I do. Maybe it's like horse-racing - plenty of money at the top, but lower down, kids and parents make economies to keep a pony and have fun.

 

[Dribble]

One of the competitors...gives a better view of the foils

https://youtu.be/Ihfch3c2TpE

 

[Dribble]

Another good discussion of the difference from years past boats