Some raceboats are shaped sleek and sharp, so they cut their way through the water. Others rely on a flattened hull that lets them rise up and plane across the wavetops.
Well, as most readers know, this year’s Americas Cup boats take sailing to a new extreme. Using curved daggerboards and rudder wings for lift, these huge seven-ton AC-72 catamarans can fly above the water.
The boats top out over 40 knots, and they can do three times the real wind speed! (And none of this involves drugs!)
Well Woots! There’s a WildWinds version of the AC-72 in the works for SL, and it looks like a good model of the real Americas Cup racer!
Corry Kamachi is a true Diva of contemporary, high performance sail racing in Second Life, and over two years ago I posted a few pictures of her ideas for a future AC-72 build. Back then the boat had no engine and the hull and rig were without textures. Corry’s build was just “an idea.” 🙂
After many months and a huge effort, I’m happy to report that idea is now alive, and the beta is in active sea trials.
As you can see above, the boat is proportionate to RL; that means it’s rather huge in comparison to WildWind’s two other recent boats, the Wildcat45 and the Open 60. For reference, I’ve also added a Mesh Shop Nacra 17 to the group. 🙂
It’s too early for me to tell you much about the WildWind AC72 build or it’s performance, but WOW! Even the first betas are incredibly fast, authentically built, and accurately scripted, and the textures are nicely detailed…
Wait!
Did I also mention…Â
It Flies! 🙂
The boat promises to be an accurate emulation of the real AC 34 Competition Boat. 🙂
I admit I have no idea when the WildWind AC72 will launch (if ever). That decision will be up to Corry and WildWind. The boat’s still in early beta now; Â I think it looks GREAT. I’ll let you know the details as the boat nears the launch ramp.
But if anyone’s up for planning an AC regatta with these boats once they hit the water…
OMG, Count me in! 🙂
Metaverse Sailing 