USA 17 (yacht)

The U.S. 17 (BMW Oracle Racing 90) is a trimaran, built by the sailing team BMW Oracle Racing for direct comparison with the catamaran Alinghi 5 in the 33rd America 's Cup, which was held in 2010. On 12 February 2010, the United States won the first race against Alinghi 5 with over 15 minutes ahead, on 14 February in the second race with about 5:26 minutes ahead, and thus the America's Cup back to the USA.

The center hull has a length of 90 feet (about 27 meters ), measured at the waterline. The outer floats are much longer, but the water line touches in the measurement of the water only in the front part. These differences resulted in the run-up to the America's Cup to disputes over adherence to the measurement rules.

The U.S. is very light for its size, since it was built almost entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In addition to the usual sailing she has a rigid sail, which is built of carbon fiber and Kevlar, the wing - sail, which is based on a two-tier, single -trimmable airfoil, similar to an airplane wing. The headsail is driven on a jib-boom instead of the bow. Initially worked in parallel on two rigs: conventional sails and fixed wing. After a broken mast in the fall of 2009, the team decided, only the wing to develop. The rear part of the wing consists of individually adjustable segments - this can be set for each wind a perfectly curved surface for maximum traction. Since the wing even at rest (eg the nightly anchors ) can not be reduced, the ship must remain constantly manned at break times.

This yacht motor-operated winches are used - the men are to operate the winches ( Grinder ) is no longer necessary. In addition to the weight saving sailing maneuvers can now be performed faster.

Despite its width, the trimaran is so light and the mast so high (up to 55 m, ie twice the body length ) that it can capsize wind speed at about ten knots sailed wrong already. In good wind conditions is also the center hull out of the water, and the trimaran sails only on the Leeausleger. For up to 40 knots (74 km / h) top speed can be achieved instead of the usual keeled boat yachts ten knots speed in previous America's Cup races. In the second race against Alinghi 5, the U.S. reached about 33 knots top speed - up to three times the wind speed.

The trimaran was developed by BMW Oracle Racing design team of 30 designers and engineers under the direction of Mike Drummond. Senior naval architects Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prévost ( VPLP Yacht Design ). The hull was built out of carbon composites by Core Builders in Anacortes in 150,000 hours of work. The mast was built by Hall Spars in Bristol (Rhode Iceland ) and by Core Builders in Anacortes.

To optimize the trimaran 26,500 data per second are recorded during testing of sensors.

Specifications

  • Boat Type: Trimaran
  • Length over all: 30 m (100 feet)
  • Waterline length: 27 m (90 feet)
  • Width: 27 m ( 90 feet )
  • Hull Material: Carbon Composites
  • Displacement: about 14-16 t
  • Mast height: up to 55 m ( 185 feet )
  • Wing - sail Height: 57 m, with all 9 segments 68 m
  • Wing depth 2.5 to 9 m
  • Width: 0.5 to 2 m
  • Surface: 650 m²
  • Weight: 3500 kg
  • Nine individually adjustable by cable flaps that make up the hind wings, which allow a better Segeltrimmung than a soft sail ( also called flap, as the flap at the aircraft )
Knot (unit) Sailing faster than the wind Anacortes, Washington Bristol (Rhode Island)
133913
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