Americas Cup. Is this "Sailing"?
- Thread starter rfrye1
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This AC is like deja vu all over. We saw the same thing in 1988 when Conner took on the Kiwis with a 90 foot cat and retained the Cup with a new Stars and Stripes that introduced the world to a fast cat with a wing sail. That race also boosted a young designer Gino Morelli to stardom and opportunity. Know that name? Morelli went on to design a bunch of great cruising cats under the Leopard brand. The AC has a tradition of advancing the joy of sailing. Time marches on fellas. G.
I flew over from Arizona just to see the first 6 races. Sat at Crissy Field yesterday. The start was straight out from us and we had a great view as they came right at us then rounded the first mark right in front of us maybe 300 yards off shore. Then got to see the rounding of the third mark and the start of the horse race to the finish. It may not be traditional, and is nothing like sailing on my Dolphin 24, but you can't deny that it is certainly exciting to watch!
I posted earlier in this thread, but left out some additional disappointing thoughts.
The previous Cup races on monohulls had a trickle down effect from new materials, hardware, electronics, sails, spars etc. for the sailboat community.
Advances would show up in the manufacturer's boatbuilding.
However, with the cats, I haven't seen much in these boats that will show up on production or the boat builders' drawing board. like seeing a docked boat with a wing sail standing tall.
CR
The previous Cup races on monohulls had a trickle down effect from new materials, hardware, electronics, sails, spars etc. for the sailboat community.
Advances would show up in the manufacturer's boatbuilding.
However, with the cats, I haven't seen much in these boats that will show up on production or the boat builders' drawing board. like seeing a docked boat with a wing sail standing tall.
CR
Here is a shot of the 1988 Stars & Stripes, notice the similarities with the current boats. 25 years ago!
And here is a shot of what the Kiwis showed up with:
I hope the Americas Cup stays in California. The Golden State guys know how to make sail racing interesting for spectators. Must be that hollywood energy!
I think we'll all be surprised how much does trickle down. I dont see wings becoming commonplace in the marinas but there is a lot more to these boats than just the wing. The hydraulic systems are one thing that is really interesting me. Human powered hydraulic pumps that can run anything from winches to raising and lowering the boards, to changing the wing shape, to...... The possibilities are endless, and it really changes how you can package things. You're not limited by where the ropes can run without snagging.
That's just one of the technologies here. I'm betting a lot more than that trickles down, at least to smaller cheaper racing boats.
That's just one of the technologies here. I'm betting a lot more than that trickles down, at least to smaller cheaper racing boats.
I am hoping the wings will inspire sailmakers, and result in some newer, fresher cruising technology: maybe in the form of new control methods. May be a two-section, collapsible main "wing?"
By the way, "human powered hydraulic pumps" on boats: backstay adjusters, these have been around seemingly forever. Interesting topic, though. Maybe we could see a hydraulic accumulator that provides the muscle for an autopilot drive that is charged up by the engine, and lasts long enough for a 4 to 6 hour sailing passage - that would be cool!
At the end of one of the LV races a few weeks ago, the Kiwis sailed up to the spectator grandstands while they awaited the call on wind conditions for race 2. they did not drop an anchor, or catch a mooring. They simply stalled their wing very precisely to hold position, drifting back and forward a few feet. It was amazing to see.
That said, I would rather be able to drop my sails, especially in a slip.
That said, I would rather be able to drop my sails, especially in a slip.
Yeah, unless the wing can pivot a full 360 degrees having one on a boat in a slip could be dangerous since a wind shift could power up the boat. In one of the video segments they were talking about the process of launching these boats and one of the oracle guys said something to the effect of "usually it behaves quite well at the dock, but if the wind picks up we have a mooring near the dock"
A catamaran sailor sailed briefly on our H23 a couple of months ago. I asked how she liked sailing on a monohull. Her reply was, "It's great if you like sleeping."
Catamaran sailors apparently don't see our type of sailing as "sailing" any more than some of us see high-tech sailing as "sailing." I personally think it's cool as all getout. As my daddy used to say, every dog to his own bone.
Catamaran sailors apparently don't see our type of sailing as "sailing" any more than some of us see high-tech sailing as "sailing." I personally think it's cool as all getout. As my daddy used to say, every dog to his own bone.
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