Offshore partnerships needed to deliver next America’s Cup boats

The newest class of America’s Cup boats, the AC40s, are expected to arrive in Auckland by August.

The AC40 boats will be used by America’s Cup teams for testing, development, match race training, and preliminary events ahead of the 37th America’s Cup in 2024 – which will still be raced in the AC75 foiling monohulls.

The AC40 hull shape is based on that of Te Rehutai, the boat Team New Zealand sailed to victory in the last America’s Cup, with a few developments and the 40-foot boat will be used in competition by both the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup’s.

Hulls are being made in China by McConaghy Boats with specialised elements like the rigs being built by Auckland-based Southern Spars, the foil arms being produced in-house by Team New Zealand and North Sails Marine group doing the aero package.

“While the genesis of the AC40 project comes from the familiar design and innovation of the people within the Emirates Team New Zealand design department we have really had to push the limits by utilising a combination of the best of the New Zealand marine industry as well as key offshore partnerships,” Team New Zealand designer Richard Meacham said.

“Currently there are already eight AC40’s under order with McConaghy’s, with teams lined up awaiting possession.

“We have a world leading marine sector here in New Zealand, but like so many industries there are labour resource constraints, so without partnering with McConaghy’s and utilising their production capabilities we simply would not be able to fulfill the orders in time.”

The first AC40 is expected to be ready to be shipped from the McConaghy facility in July to the Team New Zealand base in Auckland for its on water commissioning in August.

Each successive boat will be rolled out in five-week increments thereafter as the Challenging teams take possession and prepare to hit the water.

All Challengers for the next America’s Cup are required to purchase an AC40 and the boats will be given to Challengers on a first come first served basis.

So far, INEOS Britannia, Alinghi, Luna Rossa and American Magic have signed up to challenge Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug.

Team New Zealand’s head of design Dan Bernasconi has been under the pump with the AC40 project.

“Normally during the build of an AC boat the design team has a bit more time to develop and finalise the hydraulics, electronics and systems, but because the production process is so rapid in this case we have had to finalise a lot more of our designs in respect to those areas up front and make sure they are spot on,” Bernasconi said.

The location of the next America’s Cup will be announced on 31 March.