[quote=DamonLinkous][quote=MN3][quote]tacks at a closing speed pushing 100 mph![/quote]
I would expect there will be upper racing speed limits similar to last AC so racing about 18 knots is not likely. Last AC's vectors were extreemly impressive (doing over 40 in 15knot wind) but i wouldn't expect to see these cats breaking the speeds of last race (with bigger cat/multis)Edited by MN3 on Aug 12, 2011 - 07:20 AM. [/quote]
In past AC's the boats were tuned and only able to sail in a narrow wind range, this was a big problem for television since the races often didn't start to fit in a TV slot.
Part of the design brief of the new AC45 and AC72 is being able to race over a range of 5-30 knots. If these boats start a race in 25+ they might come close to the world speed record while racing!
Design Brief summary from The Daily Sail
[b]A catamaran was selected as one element to transform and enliven the America’s Cup for the future. A multihull is the ideal dynamic class, capable of being raced hard in winds from 5 to 30 knots to minimize racing delays due to winds too light or too strong.
[size=large]AC72 design parameters:[/size]
[list][*]LOA: 22.0 meters (72 feet)
[*]Beam: 14.0 meters (46 feet)
[*]Displacement: 5,700 kilograms (12,500 pounds) (Note, the last Americas Cup Class ACC had a displacement of over 55,000 pounds and was 79x13.5)
[*]All-up weight: 7,000 kilograms (15,500 pounds)
[*]Wingsail area: 260 square meters (2,800 square feet)
[*]Wingsail height: 40 meters (130 feet)
[*]Wingsail chord: 8.5 meters (28 feet)
[*]Sail trimming: Manual grinders
[*]Configuration: Twin-hulled catamaran
[*]Crew: 11
[*]Sail trimming: No mechanically powered systems
[*]Sail area reduction: Removable top sections/leech elements
[*]Appendages: Maximum of 2 rudders, 2 daggerboards
[*]Construction: Minimum 600 grams/square-meter outer-skin;
[*]High-modulus carbon-fiber permitted in wingsail spar[/b][/list]
[url]http://www.thedailysail.com/inshore/10/56636/0/ac72-wingsail-catamaran-box-rule-published[/url][/quote]
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