These cats were in Newport back in 2013, one of the stops to show these off before the Louis Vitton Cup series. One of the cats was out of the water for all those to touch, see, feel, look, etc. I was all over the damn thing! The sail was down for inspection as well. Its all CARBON, paper thin but strong and very light. The hulls were seamless with stainless thin spars as the framework. Beautiful boats close up. The ultimate catamaran!

Winged keel? I recall the Aussies developed that and beat the US in capturing the Cup. The winged keel design was incorporated into many popular sailboats (Hunter, Catalina, etc). My Catalina 30 has the wing keel with a draft of only 3 feet, eight inches. Comes in handy if your cruising the Intracoastal Waterway.

Bob

The race of the century. Still have the poster and I still go see the boat whenever I'm in Sydney.

I also remember them covering the Keel up whenever the boat was pulled from the water. Got to give the down under folks credit for their ingenuity!

Remember well the cries to keelhaul Dennis Conner....

Regardless, they're all wicked and remind me of this :eek:

http://t1.niutuku.com/960/1312/0822/....com-27778.jpg

I'm just seeing a beat down in play from NZ due to their preparation, tactics, boat speed and execution. In the races yesterday, Oracle made simple mistakes (and some bone-headed tactical decisions) and were in the way back machine from that point on with little chance of getting back in touch other than a TNZ error. The catch is TNZ is not making many mistakes, they have their boat dialed and they seem to have speed and pointing ability.
I fully understand Oracle going quiet on the boat in the last race as the realization hit of what is in store for the next four+ races. Gonna take something akin to a miracle.

M.D- I recall you say the same thing every A.M challenge!!
It's exciting racing beyond belief. Things can change dramatically after just one dip in the briney.
Worth a watch for sure.

Larry Ellison as Hitler....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz7rYUl4BH0

So Oracle removed a bunch of weight and made the boat faster but more difficult to sail. They finally got handling and tactics together and ran a perfect race 6 and beat TNZ by 5 seconds. Then they reverted back to unforced mistakes (Boundary Violation) and tactical failures (OCS and getting gaff hooked). I would not recommending to double down expecting Oracle to run the board to win this.

The moment Oracle lost race 8. Unconscionable error.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1498494210.jpg

The starts by Oracle were pathetic! He allowed himself to be trapped by Emirates. A ten year old in a Toro Pram could have done better. Whomever wins the start has won the race. This has only been unique to these cat boats because of their incredible take off speeds unlike the older and beloved 12 meters. This has been a very disappointing Cup race for the American's so far. If Spithill cannot pull off a miracle like he did in San Francisco, I have to question whether or not the syndicate will want him to drive in the next Cup race, which will be in New Zealand. Race starts in 15 - minutes.

Bob
Onboard Breezin II - Lake Lanier, GA

phooey...whole wheat bread, cars run on batteries, paint that doesn't smell...change sucks!


Get off my lawn

Well put Michael, and pretty well sums up the out look of lots of the sailing world , too bad for them.

I've missed this whole finals series, as I'm traveling in my RV on the coast of central Calif.

Hanging with my younger son and a long time friend. Great trip.
But did miss the Americas cup and Le Mans

While it was great to see these boats being raced, and to see TNZ crush the competition because they were better prepared and nearly flawless in their sailing, I was hoping for a little stiffer competition. Oh well, only four years, a couple of piles of money and a lawsuit or three to wade through before the next time round.

NZ sailing
 

If you have ever been to New Zealand in a summer afternoon, especially
Auckland at a week end ,you will then know why the kiwis are the sailing champions
world wide .Nearly very house hold in NZ owns some sought of sail , or power boat
Auckland is the city of sails.

Nice link - thanks.