AC40

[enigmatically2]

Yeah, I know you said that.

As for your CV above, wow - you sound like a complete disaster on the water. You don’t sail ”high performance boats”. You destroy them.

Exactly what “high performance boats” were these?

You really haven't sailed much have you.

• I doubt there is anyone that has sailed a performance dinghy that has not capsized or turned turtle. I sailed those lots in my youth
• Sail blow outs - various on offshore boats.
• I have lost 2 rigs, one due to another boat hitting the shroud point (they were in the wrong). Another just failed. Seen loads more too on other boats for a variety of reasons
• Been hit by lightning at least twice . It happens when you are in open ocean and your mast is the highest point around (or are you saying that was my fault too)
• Systems damage- various. Offshore and ocean boats tend to take on water and stuff suffers from slamming off waves. Have had radios, nav systems etc fail

That is across sailing all sorts of dinghies from optimists, through the usual selection of lasers to higher performance boats and fast catamarans. Then yachts from inshore to long offshore/ocean and shorthanded, including water ballasted ULDBs.

So (unsurprisingly) nothing as fast as these boats. But that is my point these things happen in a range of boats.

So what exciting sailing have you done that you have never experienced any of those things? Cruising boats? Optimists? Toy boats on the paddling lake?

 

[smackdaddy]

You really haven't sailed much have you.

• I doubt there is anyone that has sailed a performance dinghy that has not capsized or turned turtle. I sailed those lots in my youth
• Sail blow outs - various on offshore boats.
• I have lost 2 rigs, one due to another boat hitting the shroud point (they were in the wrong). Another just failed. Seen loads more too on other boats for a variety of reasons
• Been hit by lightning at least twice . It happens when you are in open ocean and your mast is the highest point around (or are you saying that was my fault too)
• Systems damage- various. Offshore and ocean boats tend to take on water and stuff suffers from slamming off waves. Have had radios, nav systems etc fail

That is across sailing all sorts of dinghies from optimists, through the usual selection of lasers to higher performance boats and fast catamarans. Then yachts from inshore to long offshore/ocean and shorthanded, including water ballasted ULDBs.

So (unsurprisingly) nothing as fast as these boats. But that is my point these things happen in a range of boats.

So what exciting sailing have you done that you have never experienced any of those things? Cruising boats? Optimists? Toy boats on the paddling lake?

Well, I’m sure it’s nothing compared to your incredible pedigree, but I’ve done a bit of sailing (and racing) on all kinds of boats in numerous bodies of water in all kinds of conditions.

I would offer that, from a seamanship perspective, you obviously need to do a better job of inspecting your rig. And if your offshore “ocean” boat is getting enough water down below to short out your systems, you’re definitely doing it wrong.

As for the lightning, I don't know why you're so sensitive. I didn’t say it was “your fault”. But it’s clear you are one unlucky bastard. And “at least twice”? You actually don’t know the difference?

Finally, you’re right, it’s abundantly clear you’ve never sailed boats like these. So your opinion is obviously no more or less valid than mine. I just back mine up with clear evidence instead of bluster.

 

[enigmatically2]

Well, I’m sure it’s nothing compared to your incredible pedigree, but I’ve done a bit of sailing (and racing) on all kinds of boats in numerous bodies of water in all kinds of conditions.

I would offer that, from a seamanship perspective, you obviously need to do a better job of inspecting your rig. And if your offshore “ocean” boat is getting enough water down below to short out your systems, you’re definitely doing it wrong.

As for the lightning, I don't know why you're so sensitive. I didn’t say it was “your fault”. But it’s clear you are one unlucky bastard. And “at least twice”? You actually don’t know the difference?

Finally, you’re right, it’s abundantly clear you’ve never sailed boats like these. So your opinion is obviously no more or less valid than mine. I just back mine up with clear evidence instead of bluster.

I was 16 when I lost the rig that fell.
And I'm not that unlucky. We won our class (the most competitive one) in that ocean race. By 36 hours. Won plenty others too. And if you'd have been there you'd understand why electronics got damaged. Better than the boat that lost a rig, or the one that lost its keel. Or plenty others who suffered a lit of damage and injuries

But based on your experience in the beer can races you'd just tell them they should have checked the boat better. I wonder what is the most wind you have sailed in?

 

[smackdaddy]

I was 16 when I lost the rig that fell.
And I'm not that unlucky. We won our class (the most competitive one) in that ocean race. By 36 hours. Won plenty others too. And if you'd have been there you'd understand why electronics got damaged. Better than the boat that lost a rig, or the one that lost its keel. Or plenty others who suffered a lit of damage and injuries

But based on your experience in the beer can races you'd just tell them they should have checked the boat better. I wonder what is the most wind you have sailed in?

Heh. Great story. We are all mesmerized by your alleged prowess….and excuses.

Now, let’s get back to the AssCrack40, shall we?

PS - was your previous username Curious?

 

[smackdaddy]

I hear the KiWankersTM are christening the second AC40. They need to use a much thinner bottle of champagne.

Did enigmatically do the honors? And was he helping with their F50 too? I’m seeing a pattern.

 

[Kiwing]

Jealousy .....

 

[enigmatically2]

Come on smack, you said you would tell us if your extensive experience if I did

 

[smackdaddy]

Meh. I’ll just stand here in your mighty shadow.

And pee on your clown shoe.

 

[buckdouger]

Seahorse. Must have been before the bow fell off..

 

[Stingray~]

Seahorse. Must have been before the bow fell off..

View attachment 573684

I have stacks of beautiful and older SH mags, cancelled only a few years ago. Do they have online subscriptions nowadays?

 

[smackdaddy]

Spot on!

then…

Fell off!

 

[Varan]

@Stingray~
Yes

 

[smackdaddy]

When you think about it, after seeing everything we have seen in videos and photos, this from DanB is actually a pretty sad indictment on the AC40:

“The AC40 has exceeded our expectations. It’s a fantastic little boat. Its performance is good, it’s really good fun to sail, and it’s a great boat on the race course.

“Our younger sailors have been able to sail it really well with a pretty short learning curve. It’s not a trivial boat to sail but, getting instructions from our senior sailors, they have been getting up to speed quickly.”

It’s his baby. I get it. But please…cut the BS Dan.

The first part has no connection to the reality of what we have actually witnessed. The simple truth is that it is abundantly evident that this boat can’t be controlled by even the best “senior sailors” in the world unless it’s in auto mode. This even after months of training.

And the second part is a sad reflection of the first. Of course it can be “sailed really well” as an automated drone - where those onboard have minimal inputs. These types of drones are available by the truckload on Amazon. But “flying“ a DJI Mavic in auto mode doesn’t anymore make you a pilot, than riding on an AC40 in auto mode makes you a sailor.

The questions Dan should have been asked are:

1. What exactly do you mean, ‘It’s not a trivial boat to sail’”?; and,
2. In light of the life threatening incidents we have seen with this design being sailed by seasoned professionals, what makes you think it’s truly safe for these younger sailors?

 

[Stingray~]

The simple truth is that it is abundantly evident that this boat can’t be controlled by even the best “senior sailors” in the world unless it’s in auto mode.

Again, the YAC and WAC crews will be using the AP.

 

[smackdaddy]

I know Stingers. But that doesn’t even matter.

Did you not hear the guy talking about the fear of being in the start box with only 2 of these things? How many will be in the box in Barcelona - with severely undertrained “sailors” aboard them - and steel head-loppers flying around at 50+ knot crossing speeds?

And, once out of that Squid Game, how exactly will this vaunted AP keep the rudder in the water with the Barcelona waves?

Maybe there are great answers to these questions. But I sure haven’t seen any.

 

[Stingray~]

How many will be in the box in Barcelona - with severely undertrained “sailors” aboard them - and steel head-loppers flying around at 50+ knot crossing speeds?

I do share some concern about this. SailGP is scary-dangerous at times, that and boat damage is why the penalties have gotten so harsh for getting too close, let alone for impacts. And if they really are going to switch to higher-speed T foils instead well.. Head-loppers will be in play there too. Yikes!

 

[smackdaddy]

Exactly. All silliness aside, this is a serious, serious issue. And ETNZ and Bernasconi are simply whistling past the graveyard.

Is there any info on how many of these will be racing at a time in Barcelona? And what are the safe boundaries around these boats - and how will those be enforced?

 

[Stingray~]

Is there any info on how many of these will be racing at a time in Barcelona? And what are the safe boundaries around these boats - and how will those be enforced?

Have not seen any RRS published yet but the format has been published and I think it does include some preliminary fleet racing - could be wrong on this.

 

[smackdaddy]

That’s what I thought as well. It is going to be very interesting seeing what those RRS are.

 

[Stingray~]

from

FIRST WOMEN’S AND YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP INVITATIONS ISSUED

Set to be stand-out global events, the Women’s & Youth America’s Cup Regattas are two of the major highlights of AC37 in Barcelona, shining an intense spotlight on the next generation of America’s Cup sailors. It is the ultimate showcase for tomorrow’s household names and superstars of the...

www.americascup.com

The format for the Women’s & Youth America’s Cup events is set to thoroughly test the athletes with a mixture of fleet and match racing. Where possible the fleets will be split with the confirmed teams for AC37 forming one pool for each event and the invited yacht club teams competing in another pool. The racing initially will be three fleet races a day for three days and then the top three teams in each qualify for a four-race series amongst the top six teams to decide the top two. These successful teams will then go head-to-head in a classic match-race, one-on-one fashion to decide the outright winner of each event.