rookie Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Though I'm neither a sailor nor a fan of sailboat racing, I did view this year's America Cup Race. Ellison's boat absolutely destroyed it's competition and won back the America's Cup. Searching for info on Ellison's BMW Oracle sailboat, I was dumbstruck!: The mast/sail is 68m/225ft tall...nearly twice as tall as the 12-story building I live in!! When it broke during a trial run, last March in San Diego, it was estimated the replacement cost was $10-million! The laser device for determining wind speeds, up to a km distant from their position, cost a mere $150,000. During the race, that the boat could obtain speeds of up to 30-knots...in an 8-knot wind...that fact staggers my imagination. I was unable to find what the boat actually cost, excluding all the expensive research and testing. That surely would have really blown me away! Having mega-deep pockets does allow one to buy nice toys! Absolutely amazing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 It's an absolutely amazing boat, more information in Wikipedia. I'm not sure I approve, it's a radical departure from the previous format but I suppose money is what matters in yacht racing. My nephew was on the 2007 Oracle America's Cup team as a sailmaker but missed out because of Volvo Round the World race commitments as bowman on Ericsson4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiHome Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I have read that estimates are each team spent more than $200 million. TH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coss Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Mag-f'ing-nificent boats. My A class will do greater than windspeed but only by a factor of about 2. I heard the Tri did 40 knots in 10 knots true in trials. Stupendous! Coss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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