The AC40, a 40-foot scaled version of the 75-foot AC75 foiling day-racer used in the 36th America’s Cup is now available for private purchase.
Designed by Emirates Team New Zealand and built by McConaghy Boats in Australia, the AC40 is a one-design class that brings America’s Cup foiling performance to a competitive racing circuit. With self-tacking headsails and battery power replacing grinders, the yacht is sailed by two helmsmen and two trimmers. An autopilot control system maintains stable flight.
The 37th America’s Cup will continue to use the AC75 with a tweaked rule set, but the AC40 will be used by teams for training, development and America’s Cup preliminary regattas.
The 37th AC will also introduce a new concept in the Women’s America’s Cup, which will take place in the smaller AC40 class, a controversial decision.
The first AC40 is now in production by McConaghy Boats. Its hull design is based on New Zealand’s test boat for the 36th America’s Cup, Te Kahu, and the defender’s AC75, Te Rehutai, which successfully retained the cup.
The AC40, like the AC75 has two large, weighted foils on either side of the boat but no traditional keel and is designed to foil on one foil only with the windward foil raised out of the water to reduce drag and provide increased righting moment.
In light winds the AC40 is expected to sail up to 26 knots upwind and 30 knots downwind. At 20 knots true wind speed, the AC40 is expected to hit speeds of up to 39 knots upwind, and 44 knots downwind.
The Emirates Team New Zealand simulator will be available to those who purchase an AC40.
For more information, go to the McConaghy Boats website.
