From today's Scuttlebutt news letter:
NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE
August 31 2008 -- The uncertainty of the next America's Cup, locked as it is
in the New York courts, took another twist last week with the launch of
Larry Ellison's American challenger, and the enormity of the problem brought
into sharp focus when a 100-foot long trimaran hit the waters off Anacortes
in Washington State. This gigantic three-hulled vessel has a 158ft mast.
Nothing like this has ever been seen before and its proportions would
indicate that Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing team has covered all possible
bases. The entire structure was completed in a specially built complex in
order to control the temperature and humidity within fine limits.
The trimaran was launched by Melinda Erkelens, appropriately the legal
advisor of the Golden Gate Yacht Club through which Ellison's challenge was
lodged, on 22 August, 157 years, exactly, after the original race around the
Isle of Wight that began this competition. It marked the culmination of nine
months' work by the 30-strong design team and a vast number of builders,
involving a total of 80,000 man hours.
Construction is principally in aerospace-quality carbon fibre, chosen for
its high strength and lightness, and uses other materials more usually
associated with this high-tech industry. Nothing has been left to chance in
the design and construction of this boat and the sailing team is anxious to
begin sailing trials. The 500 square-metre mainsail - more than twice the
size of the ones used by the boats in the Cup races last year in Valencia -
was due to be put aboard yesterday and hoisted for the first time today. It
will be complemented by headsails of up to 350 square metres and asymmetric
spinnakers of up to 700 square metres - a total downwind sail area of almost
two football pitches. -- Bob Fisher The Observer, full story:
http:/
Anyone got pictures or video of this thing sailing? <img src=
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Photos: http:/
Discussion, more photos, and video: http:/
That thing is gonna be FAST...
Too much rig.
It will be reefed all of the time in AC sailing window.
More then anything the sight of this boat makes realize just how arrogant the mono sailors are. To imagine they will be up to speed with this boat is a joke.
XL
Wasn't light air one of the problems they had in the last AC? I don't think they designed this thing for ocean racing around the world, more of a megga day sailor.
seems kind of pricey for a daysailer, doesn't it?
You haven't checked out the i-shares vx 40 results lately have you?
For you an me... yes. But when uncle Larry cashes his paycheck they just weigh the pallets of cash.
what you mean everyone doesnt have a team of 30 working with space station grade carbon fiber in their barn (hanger)?
Pricey
is a relative thing, I just wish he were MY relative. <img src=
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I'd sure like a ride on that thing.
now this looks like fun
![[Linked Image]](http://bmworacleracing.com/de/interactive/images_2008/erste_ausfahrt2/erste_ausfahrt_16.jpg)
http:/
mmmm bananna boards <img src=
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http:/That looks very fast, and not very windy.....
I want one.......
ohhhh...that's some real eye-candy right there! What's it blowing in that picture? 8 maybe? Holy moly.
The wind may appear not very fast on the surface, but remember that mast is almost 200 feet high. That said the wind up there is very different than the wind on the surface.
it's 160 feet.
It is impressive to fly 2 hulls without hydrofoils
Love how they're using spray suits with dark material at the seat... it won't show when they crap their pants at Mach II. <img src=
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I couldnt remember the exact number, that is still pretty high up in the air. <img src=
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Maybe those are white pants, and they already did! <img src=
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Yes, I spot 'Naner boards' to add insult to injury...
Well, you can be sure that they will NEVER try to lift the lee hull out of the water, because that could be
Hydrofoiling
, probably already declared illegal in the AC Challenge. OOoop? Nobody thought of that before because AC sailors never read this humble Catsailor Website?
Hooray for Larry! Another LAWSUIT!
Fair number of tri's were doing this 10+ years ago.
I'm thinking of the
Apricot
series of Tri's and
Biscuits
series as being prime examples.
Look at where Couts is standing to steer. Now look at where the traveler is. Now think about what's going to happen in a gybe. Russel had better move quickly or he might be cut in half! <img src=
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And how long is it going to take him to -run- from one wheel to the other during a tack, and who is steering while he makes the transition? Or is he on a teather, and he just jumps off the back and swings over to the other side? <img src=
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not that much travel in a gybe with the spin up. looks to me like the logic choice is to hand of the wind ward wheel go lee and have the gybe controlled from the lee to windward side .
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And how long is it going to take him to -run- from one wheel to the other during a tack, and who is steering while he makes the transition? Or is he on a teather, and he just jumps off the back and swings over to the other side? <img src=
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The steering station is actually off the rear beam well clear and aft of the traveler. I don't completely understand why it's where it is but getting to the other steering station looks to be a rediculously arduous task. I suspect that they may intend to have two helmsmen and they trade off in tacks and gybes while the other meanders into some position on the high side. Transitioning one helmsmen between stations on a boat that wide would leave a long time where the helm is not being managed well - no matter where the stations are located...from this perspective it makes sense to have two helmsmen. Maybe that's it?
The one steering is Cammas, not Couts. At least they have the good idea to give the helm to somebody who knows how to steer a multihull. This should avoid repeat performance of the disasters they had with extreme 40 and Orma 60...
Look at the hull shape...flat bottom and hard chines...the only way to get planing is with hard chines...as any power boater knows.
Regards,
Bob
158 I believe.
Cammas is on the helm, but I believe Spithill is to helm as well.
It will be reefed all of the time in AC sailing window.
Looking at the latest pic's I would say they seem to have it figured out fairly well.