Design
On its very first day of sea trials the AC40 was clocking up speeds of 36kts while reaching across Auckland Harbour in light to moderate conditions
China to produce the new AC40 class of foilingmonohulls resulted in both parties lifting their game to achieve an exceptional result. ETNZ undertook the design of the new machine, which packs a host of complex hydraulic, mechatronic and electronic systems within its 11.8m length, but had to find a build partner with the highest possible composite credentials and the capacity to do a production run within a very tight timeframe. Founded in Sydney
A
long-distance collaboration between Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) and McConaghy boatbuilders in
the level of composite engineering and internal systems is highly complex.’ In the first instance, the AC40 will be
used by all the America’s Cup teams as a training and development tool as well as competing in various World Series regattas in the run-up to the 2024 regatta in Barcelona. Out of competition, AC teams can test experimental foils and sails, but in competition strict one-design rules will apply. In addition, the AC40 fleet will be used
for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup events during the Barcelona regatta. There are also moves afoot to open the
in 1967, McConaghy has produced some of the world’s most successful maxi yachts, including Alfa Romeo and seven-time Sydney-Hobart winner Wild Oats XI, along with high-tech defence and aerospace commissions and a deep-sea submarine for movie-maker James Cameron. In 2006, the company expanded into China where it operates from a high-tech 20,000m² facility. ‘This project was definitely a step up to
the next level for us,’ says group director Mark Evans. ‘It is a small package, but
78 SEAHORSE ‘I was absolutely blown away
by its performance and how everything worked straight out of the box’
class to private owners to set up a unique foiling monohull race circuit independent of the America’s Cup. This would put owner-drivers
in the hot seat of scaled down America’s Cup yachts sporting the most up to date foiling technology capable of more than 40 knots. ‘We are already talking to a number
of prospective owners,’ says Evans. ‘We are identifying potential regatta locations in Europe and putting together documentation on how the class would be managed with technical support from
ETNZ and McConaghy.’ With the level of interest already high,
Evans says the owner-driver class could be established before the end of 2023. The boat is delivered ex-factory
complete with all systems installed, batteries, charging system, cradle, flat rack transporter, Southern Spars mast and rigging, North Sails wardrobe and on-board instrumentation system. ‘The price of the boat would be very competitive against a high-spec TP52 SuperSeries yacht and with only three professional crew, the campaign costs would be significantly less,’ says Evans.
No holding back Despite its multipurpose brief, ETNZ design chief Dan Bernasconi says there was no holding back in terms of design. ‘It is a no-holds-barred racing machine. We are putting everything out there with the best foiling 40-footer we could produce in terms of hull shape, foils, sails and control systems.’ The AC40 incorporates the revisions to
the AC75 rule following the 2021 regatta in Auckland. These reduce weight, free up the hydraulics specification and widen the wingspan of the main foils, primarily to promote earlier lift-off and improved light-air foiling.
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