Oracle Racing's Big Cat Almost Ready!

[Photoboy]

By the end of the month, ORACLE TEAM USA expects to have tested and launched the first of its two AC72 wingsail catamarans planned for the defense of the 2013 America’s Cup.

The extreme performance sailboat is the creation of ORACLE TEAM USA’s design, engineering and build teams.

The team is currently busy preparing for the first event of the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series, scheduled Aug. 21-26 in San Francisco, but as soon as that event ends the focus shifts to the AC72.

Weather conditions will set the agenda for the week Aug. 27. Day 1 will see boat in the water for structural load-testing and systems checks on design features such as the steering system, daggerboard and controls for the towering 130-foot (40-meter) tall wingsail – vital given the extreme power-to-weight ratio of the new AC72 class.

If all signed-off by the engineers and boatbuilders, Day 2 will be the yacht’s first scheduled sail on San Francisco Bay. It will become the first AC72 to sail on the waters of the host city.

“I can’t wait to see the new boat in the water,” said team skipper Jimmy Spithill. “The boat looks pretty cool in the building shop. The first sail will be a very special moment for the entire team.”

“It’s been a challenge to get to this point because we’re dealing with a completely new design rule,” said Kramers, a multihull aficionado. “With the AC72, we’re exploring new boundaries in many regards.”

The hulls of the new yacht were built at the team base at Pier 80, as per the America’s Cup rules. But many of the other components, such as the wingsail and crossbeams, were built at Core Builders Composites in New Zealand.

“Building a boat is not just about skill, it requires innovation and dedication to achieve new levels of precision and, therefore, boatspeed,” said Construction & Shore Manager Mark Turner. “Every one of the builders has invested a bit of their life into this boat.”

The AC72 Rule is a new design rule created specifically for the 34th America’s Cup next year. The rule sets tight limits on design parameters such as length, width, weight and sail area. It is the first new design rule for the America’s Cup since the America’s Cup Class Rule was created in the late 1980s.

Media opportunities will be confirmed nearer the launch date.

[Charlie Tuna]

I have a feeling this September is going to be something special around here!

[F18 5150]

USA-17 without a center hull.

[bowline]

Wonder if they'll enter it in BBS. That would be quite the spectacle of the event.

[Tom Mc]

USA-17 without a center hull.

I was expecting a center pod.

[Photoboy]

Mongo teaser

This MIGHT keep up with it.....

[IOR Geezer]

What is that?

[bowline]

If Norman can find the ignition switch

[Photoboy]

Korea Kapsize

[Buzz Light Beer]

Welcome to SF Bay! Wait til it gets windy!

[Slackwater_SF]

Korea Capsize

Wow, hope the guys are alright and the boat is OK~.

[bowline]

Swordfish also went over and did a pretty good job of trashing the upper part of the wing.

http://twitter.com/yannguichard/stat...174720/photo/1

[familysailor]

We were out sailing in the area yesterday. The wind in the Yellowbluff - Harding - north tower area was higher, steady 19-22 with sustained puffs in the 24-25 range. Highest we saw on the north side was 27++.
Once we reached over towards the St. Francis the wind was down to 17-18 with puffs up to 20-22. Moving down to the area near Gashouse and the Army docks the wind would hold in the 14-16 range then quickly come up to the 22+ range for short and long puffs. Direction would also change during the puffs. This condition continued down to at least Aquatic Park and out toward Alcatraz. Overall the wind seemed to have a little more South than typical so was swirling more off the docks and other stuff down that way.
We saw quite a few of the 45s --- Team Energy, both Artims boats, a Redbull boat. both Luna Rossas, New Zealand and Team Korea as the arrived between Alcatraz and Blossom Rock.
There may have been another one or two but keeping track while sailing with just two kept us busy avoiding other tourists (like us), tour boats, chase boats, big power boats and the Adventure Cat.
Coolest boat we saw was the new Cruising cat Photoboy has been babbling about. (with good reason) It was reaching across sort of on a line from Harding to Alcatraz and then sort a hung a left toward the Blossom Rock-Yerba Buena area. They appeared to stuff the port bow on the turn down and lifted their starboard rudder out for a quick peek.... Quick recovery and acceleration right after. I'll bet they keep their cocktails in covered tippy cups to avoid spillage during the occasional speedbump......
We left the area before the carnage occurred.
A very pleasant day on the bay.

[Photoboy]

The Korea Kapsize, for your view pleasure...in video form!

[bowline]

We were out sailing in the area yesterday. The wind in the Yellowbluff - Harding - north tower area was higher, steady 19-22 with sustained puffs in the 24-25 range. Highest we saw on the north side was 27++.
Once we reached over towards the St. Francis the wind was down to 17-18 with puffs up to 20-22. Moving down to the area near Gashouse and the Army docks the wind would hold in the 14-16 range then quickly come up to the 22+ range for short and long puffs. Direction would also change during the puffs. This condition continued down to at least Aquatic Park and out toward Alcatraz. Overall the wind seemed to have a little more South than typical so was swirling more off the docks and other stuff down that way.
We saw quite a few of the 45s --- Team Energy, both Artims boats, a Redbull boat. both Luna Rossas, New Zealand and Team Korea as the arrived between Alcatraz and Blossom Rock.
There may have been another one or two but keeping track while sailing with just two kept us busy avoiding other tourists (like us), tour boats, chase boats, big power boats and the Adventure Cat.
Coolest boat we saw was the new Cruising cat Photoboy has been babbling about. (with good reason) It was reaching across sort of on a line from Harding to Alcatraz and then sort a hung a left toward the Blossom Rock-Yerba Buena area. They appeared to stuff the port bow on the turn down and lifted their starboard rudder out for a quick peek.... Quick recovery and acceleration right after. I'll bet they keep their cocktails in covered tippy cups to avoid spillage during the occasional speedbump......
We left the area before the carnage occurred.
A very pleasant day on the bay.

Thanks for the accurate report on wind conditions.