American Exceptionalism

Barry Rietz · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 9:33 pm Post subject: American Exceptionalism

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/patriot-americas-cup-foiling-yacht-1234577582/

alainP · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:30 pm Post subject:

This will make for some welcome 2021 excitement! 50 knts,+!! Hard to fathom.

thataway · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:34 pm Post subject:

Truly amazing technology. Spin off for the around the World race in foiling boats. Reconds Weill fall. Wish we could see this AC series...!

hardee · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:20 am Post subject:

How cool. WOW 50+ mph on a "sail boat". DO NOT FALL OFF!!!

When I was on San Franscisco Bay with the Delta Extravaganza cruise this Spring we got to watch the "half size" of these boats practicing and racing there. They were 45 feet and faster than my C-Dory Rolling Eyes

not so

but increadible to watch. I have added some pix of them in my "Other Boats We Have Seen" album, in a sub-album (That I cannot seem to change the title from "Untitled" to SF Bay Americas Cup Training 4/20.) Anyway, take a look there and see some of the pix of that action. It will be on this page, behind the photo of the SleepyC under the Golden Gate.

Americas Cup Practise Races

Take a peek, and hope this works,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

dotnmarty · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:15 am Post subject:

Interesting that she was transported to NZ in one of those huge Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes.

Foggy · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 7:18 am Post subject:

The truth is speed does change you. Einstein proved it.

Aye.

Angler · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:39 am Post subject:

Thank you for sharing.

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:09 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 2:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bob, I stand corrected. Still fun to watch them.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

smckean (Tosca) · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 3:06 pm Post subject:

I really dislike the term "American Exceptionalism". The phrase itself conjures up an image of the USA somehow being the number one nation on the planet. I can't help but wonder how Germans, Japanese, Canadians, Spaniards feel about that. Besides it's a silly concept in this globally integrated world. A case in point.....this very racing yacht being discussed is the product of a team composed of many nationalities. I will make one comment and then rest my case:

The naval architect designer of Patriot, Marcelino Botin, and his firm, is Spanish. Whatever exceptional qualities the yacht has, and it certainly has many, is, as always with boats, primarily due to its designer. So....maybe we should call the Patriot an example of "Spanish Exceptionalism" Bah and humbug!

P.S. Just to rub salt in the wound, the Patriot's helmsman is Dean Barker......a New Zealander!

ssobol · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:02 pm Post subject:

Perhaps the term nowadays should be "America Excepted".

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 5:13 pm Post subject:

Great points Sandy. The current (and last 30 years) have gotten away from the spirit of the "America's Cup" (Named after the Schooner "America").

The only requirements are the the hull be laminated in the country of challenge, and that 20% or 3 crew members be citizens of that country. "The remainder of the crew can be made up of residents of the challenging yacht club’s country which is defined by being physically present in that country for a minimum of 380 days over a two year period, between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020."

The America's Cup has always been about super boats and huge budgets. It has only gotten worse. I would much rather seen it sailed in identical boats, with a crew of citizens of the representative country. On the other hand, this type of racing has made huge improvements (???) in competitive racing. Now we have around the world racing in foiling monohulls. Foiling boats which are truly affordable. (For example a laser foiling kit is:about $pence 5,000.) For some wind surfers only about $600.

The current America's Cup budgets run from $50 million New Zealand (for boat and crew) to several hundred million (USA). Just the shore side facilities cost in the $150 million range.

I liked it better in slower non foiling monohulls that I could relate to. Now, it is who gets the start and unless they make a major mistake in a few minutes they have won the race. In the last America's Cup race in Bermuda, sailed in the 50' foiling catamarans the average race time was just over 20 minutes. Vs the 1983 race which we witnessed in Newport, Rhode Island took several hours for each race and the lead changed several times.

Robert H. Wilkinson · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:37 pm Post subject:

Harvey, thanks for the link to your "other boats we have seen" album. Many interesting boats! In particular the Kawanda Dory caught my eye. Love the sheer line and matching forward rake of the bow and windshield. The lapstrake lines of the fiberglass Cdory may be mostly for aesthetic value and keeping some spray down but the traditional Clinker built hull is a very strong design.

Unique boats are a thing of beauty and interest to me and I enjoy researching their design and purpose. My local marine broker(Bridge Yachts) currently have an owner built Jolly Roger 30 for sale. A beauty for sure but more boat than I need!

Regards,

Rob

hardee · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:53 pm Post subject:

Rob, Your Welcome, and glad you enjoyed it. Yes, That Kawanda Dory is very eye catching. If I remember right, it has a little diesel in it.

Obviously that album does not have a photo of every interesting boat I hav seen. Schucks, they all are (almost).

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

robhwa · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2020 11:56 am Post subject: American Exceptionalism