34th America's Cup: multihulls!

Seeing where we are, this AC is a mess from a technical standpoint.

We have artificial rules to limit foil lift and/or prevent foiling and/or reduce complexity

We have 72 ft cats that have figured out how to foil, but only in context of the artificial rules.

It will not be surprising if the results end up as slower and/less controllable than they should be.

As a realist, I understand the politics, as an engineer I see the politics as a bunch of stinking BS. It is just a shame they can not all sit down and tweak the rules "in the interest of safety" and allow foil controls more appropriate for the task at hand.

 

What ETNZ designers have done is exceptional and historical, (like Hydroptere) working within the tight confines of a rule, producing a foiling cat that sustains flight in open water without ridiculous wands and feelers. However, agreed, the semi-arbitrary rule (based surely on the premise that no one would be able to fly with one main foil working; rule failure in this case) should be changed (for future AC's) to allow two main foils down. That's the only change that is necessary. Having said that, ETNZ is coping superbly with the restriction.
To the punters who seem to think Hauraki Gulf is a tame, flat watered place without currents ... ask the very recent Coastal Classic racers what they think of that (BS).

 

34th AC

I don't think the rules regarding foils need to be changed at all-TNZ is proof of that.

 

No rule changes this round - too late for that. But next round we should find a way to let development occur in a less oddly-constrained context.

 

Do we know if ETNZ`s dagger foils are twisted in terms of AoA washout along the boards length? Would effect a bit more altitude control automatically...

 

Hi Groper - twist would only make the board more inefficient. The varing submerged dihedral part of the board provides the automatic height control. Gary the intent of the rules was to stop foiling. If that was the intent they should have said it in plain english. The only reason to stop foiling is not the technical reasons its the cost of flipping a boat and all the secondary problems that go along with this. eg the ACRM has had to hire specialist medical rescue staff to cope with the possibility of capsizes trapping people. They have scuba gear and are trained in this sort of thing plus they have to have high speed boats etc etc. The rescue group usually works with power boat racing events. This sort of cost & logistics has not existed before. In terms of rule writing the "law of unintended consequences" always is lurking. Peter S

 

Agreed Peter - but the AC45's must have similar safety/diver/medical services too. Any high/hyper performance yacht racing from now on will have disaster backups, like the powerboat racers.
On the intention to halt foilers; not so sure, I think they intentionally left the door just ajar with a number of hindrances ... and ETNZ just booted it wide open.

 

The AC45's don't even need to exist. They are a warm up or support act to the real AC. This is just a side show to get the AC warmed up from the huge time out it had in court during the AC33 DoG race. The AC "community" is putting it forward in a philantropic light but it could all go down the gurgler next time around. I'll keep to technical comment from now on. Cheers Peter

 

early AC34 rules

FYI - early concept rules for the AC34. Hull flying is considered but not foiling, bilgeboards can yaw and cant. Plus there is mention of engines and rig canting. Cheers Peter S

 

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Peter and all , here is the latest version of the rule with all 8 amendments:

 

Interview with Murray Jones of Oracle and Grant Dalton of ETNZ

Thought some may be interested in these interviews.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Murray-Jones-interviewed-on-Oracle-Team-USA-capsize/103082

 

In addition to Glenn Ashby, James Spithill, Dario (see post #686), and those mentioned in post #23, add Paul Larsen to the Australians someone needs to bring together to challenge for the cup next time. Then there's Kaiko, Runnalls, Barrett, and Jones (though he may be ready to retire). Got a couple mil saved up, Corley? What's your buddy Grant Wharington up to these days?

 

The AC is a shitfight thats just for the billionaires and heavily subsidised commercial teams, pretty cool to watch though. I dont see a scaled up hobie cat being able to do a Bradbury in this case as amusing as the youtube video is. The cats by the time of the AC will certainly be well developed and able to make it round the course. Luna Rossa are launching their boat soon in Auckland looking forward to seeing that on the water. Are the AC teams able to line up against each other on their AC72's?

 

And will Aussie spies be all over when they do?

 

A photo posted by Erice on SA of the Luna Rossa team boat assembled and on the crane. A virtually identical sistership of the TNZ boat at a casual glance.