I just got my new to me an old mini 12 meter America’s cup replica. This little sailboat is absolutely awesome!!!
I toyed around with it late last year.
You basically set low with in the hull while you are setting in a recliner position and essentially only your head sits just about at the water line. All line controls are controlled from the cockpit and the rudder is controlled by foot pedals. The boat has lead buck shot bags that you place into the hollow keel for weight dependent on what the wind conditions.
This thing is absolutely a blast to sail.
Remarkably fast and stable. Really gets the adrenaline going when your head and shoulders are literally inches from the water. Can’t wait to toy around in it this season.
I rented one of these in the late 1980s in Newport RI during the America’s cup races during the top secret wing keel era.
I got it late last year and had to do a little tlc work to it. Couldn’t pass up the price
“Free to a good home”. Just had to basically clean 30 years of dirt and replace some halyards and restore the trailer.
Now it’s ready for real sea trials.
I’m looking for any info anyone may have on these sailboats.
I was able to find a copy of the owners manual on eBay however it’s not a clear copy and missing lots of pages.
Info that I have is:
Illusion mfg
Hin # indicates it’s a 1983
Apparently as legend has it some guy made one and sailed it around at his yacht club and got an overwhelming number of people that wanted one at his club. Then he started taking orders for them thru sail magazine for about $12,000 delivery date from start to finish approximately six weeks.
Boat is a scale replica of 12 meter America’s cup racing yachts Intrepid or courageous.
Found few you tube vids of people racing.
But that’s all the info I was able to obtain so far.
I toyed around with it late last year.
You basically set low with in the hull while you are setting in a recliner position and essentially only your head sits just about at the water line. All line controls are controlled from the cockpit and the rudder is controlled by foot pedals. The boat has lead buck shot bags that you place into the hollow keel for weight dependent on what the wind conditions.
This thing is absolutely a blast to sail.
Remarkably fast and stable. Really gets the adrenaline going when your head and shoulders are literally inches from the water. Can’t wait to toy around in it this season.
I rented one of these in the late 1980s in Newport RI during the America’s cup races during the top secret wing keel era.
I got it late last year and had to do a little tlc work to it. Couldn’t pass up the price
“Free to a good home”. Just had to basically clean 30 years of dirt and replace some halyards and restore the trailer.
Now it’s ready for real sea trials.
I’m looking for any info anyone may have on these sailboats.
I was able to find a copy of the owners manual on eBay however it’s not a clear copy and missing lots of pages.
Info that I have is:
Illusion mfg
Hin # indicates it’s a 1983
Apparently as legend has it some guy made one and sailed it around at his yacht club and got an overwhelming number of people that wanted one at his club. Then he started taking orders for them thru sail magazine for about $12,000 delivery date from start to finish approximately six weeks.
Boat is a scale replica of 12 meter America’s cup racing yachts Intrepid or courageous.
Found few you tube vids of people racing.
But that’s all the info I was able to obtain so far.