Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
After months of speculation, grousing, and debate, New Zealand has released the official rules governing the next Americas Cup boats. An intro video is here. At a quick glance, some highlights are:
- 75' monohulls - Two foils. - Soft sails. - Many limits on design and materials. - Commercial availability for many materials and components. - Some standardized (provided) components (such as rigging). - Crew of 11, "all of whom must be human beings" plus one inactive "guest". - I found no nationality restrictions, as have been debated...
It appears they are trying to balance some amount of innovation and development with reduced costs for participants and advancements that are translatable to boats used for other purposes (racing and otherwise). There are already large classes of smaller foiling monohull racers, starting with the Moths... More (including maxis) will be coming!
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I guess that leaves me out. My boat is 50 ft too short ! I also never have 11 onboard...but I could probably meet the one "inactive" guest requirement !
Heck, I probably wouldn't be able to keep up, and I have 225 aluminum horsies attached to the back of a planing hull... (Hmmmmmmm, what if I added foils? )
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
But Dave, you have what many sailors, even America's Cup Sailors can only dream of - The sailboat docked right outside your home. What is it about 200 feet from your front door ? and you are the master, not just a temporary sailor mate for the big race day. You are the Captain every day, year after year.
Nope--my $+!nkp*+ is docked outside (or will be next month). My sailboat is now Voyager Bruce's... My captain's license is expired... One knee replaced, one to go...
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.