yacht america

Published on December 4th, 2019 | by Editor

Beginning and end of the yacht America

Published on December 4th, 2019 by Editor -->

With the frequent sighting of the yacht America on San Diego Bay, well-handled and beautiful under sail, the history of the America’s Cup is never far from view. In this report by Dr. Hamish Ross , he provides the detailed version.

On the 15 November 1850, George Schuyler on behalf of a syndicate of five, including himself and Commodore John Cox Stevens and William Brown, signed a contract to build a New York pilot schooner for the Great Exhibition, due to be opened by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, London on Thursday 1 May 1851. The contract was for $30,000.00, conditioned on her being the fastest yacht in the United States. Unfortunately, she was delivered a month late and failed to defeat Commodore Stevens’ Maria during her trials. Left with the prospect of selling a failed yacht and in deep financial trouble, Brown had little option but to accept a ‘take it or leave it’ price reduction of $10,000.00 by Schuyler.

America under construction in New York in 1851.

During the building, her owner’s plans for England changed and the America would be diverted to the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in Cowes after an invitation was received from RYS Commodore, the 2nd Earl of Wilton, inviting the owners to enjoy the hospitality of the Squadron during the yachting season.

The Earl had been born Thomas Grosvenor, the second son of the Marquess of Westminster (the title was later elevated to a dukedom in 1874 – the last non-royal dukedom to be created). Wilton served as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron for thirty-two years between 1849 to 1881.

On 22 August 1851, America raced against 15 yachts in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “all nations” race around the Isle of Wight. America won, finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest rival. After 1851, the America went through a number of owners, including service as a Confederate blockade runner under the name of the Memphis, being scuttled in Jacksonville, later raised to serve in the US Navy, and was raced by the Navy in the 1870 America’s Cup fleet race match (winning fourth place).

She was sold into private ownership in 1873 to Benjamin Butler, a controversial Union Army Major-General and later a colorful politician and lawyer. Under Butler’s ownership, the America underwent two major refits in 1875 and again in 1885.

© Dani Tagen

She was donated to the US Navy in 1921 and was towed to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, as an on-water exhibit, where her condition gradually decayed. The onset of the Great Depression delayed the expenditure of an estimated $80,000.00 for a necessary refit.

Charles Francis Adams Jr., the America’s Cup winning skipper of Resolute in 1920, great-great grandson of the second US President John Adams, great grandson of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams, serving as the Secretary of the Navy, felt unable to approve the expenditure of such money in 1930 during the onset of the Depression.

She was classified as a Navy relic in 1941 (IX-41) and hauled out at the Annapolis Yacht Yard for work. Some preliminary was carried out on her from time to time, mainly stripping her back to sound timbers, but only around other more urgent work which took precedence.

The outbreak of the Second World War further delayed any thoughts of a determined restoration and her fate was sealed after a shed in which she was being housed in Annapolis collapsed during a severe snowstorm on the night of Palm Sunday, 29 March 1942.

The America being towed to Annapolis on what was to be her last voyage in 1921

When the War ended, the Navy was forced to cut back from its wartime budget and was busy decommissioning many of its ships. Nostalgia was in short supply in 1945 when it came to preserving famous ships. Her end was sealed on 20th November 1945 when the US Navy signed an order for her scrapping, when faced with a repair bill of $300,000.00.

The Navy received $990.90 for the scrapping of an icon.

One of the last photographs of the remains of the America before she was scrapped in 1945.

Many pieces of the America were souvenired and every now and then, pieces of the America come on the market, but rather like a ‘grandfather’s hammer’, it is rather hard to know if any piece offered dates from 1851 or was added later during one of its many refits. It is said, like relics of the ‘cross’, there are more pieces of wood claiming to be from the America than in a New England forest.

Three replicas of the America have been built. They were built in 1967 (Boothby, Maine), 1995 (Albany, New York), and in 2005 (Varna, Bulgaria) with varying degrees of authenticity some having an additional four feet of beam to increase accommodation and additional skylights. The first two are based in the US and the latter in Rostock, Germany sailing as the Skythia.

The America, the most famous yacht in the history of the sport of sailing, has bequeathed us a competition which represents the pinnacle of the sport in terms of technology, design, sailing skill, management, all these necessarily infused with smart strategic and tactical planning and execution, in which only the very best will win.

UPDATE 1 (Dec. 5, 2019) : Troy Sears, who owns and sails the replica in San Diego, CA, provides an update on the three boats:

The 1967 replica, commonly known as the “Rudy Schaefer” boat that you correctly state being built in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, was broken up several years ago due to rot. She spent most of her later years of her life in the Med, mostly in Barcelona and Genoa. She was a full-sized replica.

The Bulgarian replica, Skythia, is a fractional replica being about 60 tons as compared to ours which is 113 tons. I would say her design was inspired by the America but not so much a replica.

There are no original drawing available so nobody can be certain of the actual dimensions, but ours is thought to be as accurate as possible in terms of size. Also, I am happy to say that we are totally rot free and as long as I take good care of her, she will outlive me.

UPDATE 2 (Dec. 12, 2019): Marcello Grimaudo, who is Captain of the 1967 replica (below), informed us  the yacht is still sailing and in good shape but is now on drydock in Italy for a major restoration.

Tags: america , America's Cup , Hamish Ross

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Sailing Through History: Unveiling the Rich Legacy of Yacht America

In the world of sailing, certain vessels transcend the boundaries of time and become legends that leave an indelible mark on maritime history. Among these storied vessels, the sailing yacht “America” stands proudly as a symbol of innovation, speed, and the enduring spirit of adventure. Let’s embark on a journey through the annals of maritime lore as we explore the captivating tale of Yacht America.

The Birth of a Legend

Commissioned by a group of New York Yacht Club members in 1850, Yacht America was designed by George Steers and built by William H. Brown. The goal was clear – to build a vessel that could bring glory to the United States in the inaugural sailing competition against British vessels around the Isle of Wight.

The America’s Cup Victory

In 1851, Yacht America, under the command of Captain Richard Brown, crossed the Atlantic to participate in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Guinea Cup, a race that would later be known as the America’s Cup. America clinched victory with an 8-minute lead over the second boat, the British Aurora, securing the trophy originally established to commemorate the inaugural universal exhibition in London. Upon hearing of America’s triumph, Queen Victoria purportedly inquired about the second-place boat, receiving the response, “ There is no second, your Majesty, ” highlighting the substantial lead over the runner-up. This declaration is attributed to the inception of the competition’s motto, “ There’s No Second. ” Although the trophy lacked a specific name, being known as the “Hundred Guinea Cup” (the guinea, although no longer legally in circulation at the time, represented 21 shillings or £1.05, making 100 guineas equivalent to £105) or “Queen’s Cup,” it adopted the name of the victorious vessel and subsequently became the renowned “ America’s Cup. “

The Impact on Sailing

Yacht America’s triumph not only marked the inception of the America’s Cup but also left an enduring impact on yacht design and racing. The vessel’s sleek lines, innovative rigging, and overall performance set a new standard for sailing excellence. The schooner’s legacy paved the way for future generations of yacht designers and sailors, influencing the evolution of sailing vessels worldwide.

After the America’s Cup

In 1856, the vessel underwent a name change to Camilla. Subsequently, seized as a war prize in 1860 by the Confederate States of America, it was rechristened Memphis. Following the conclusion of the American Civil War, the ship was intentionally sunk in Jacksonville in 1862. Salvaged, refurbished, and reintegrated into service with the US Navy under the moniker America, it was equipped with three bronze Dahlgren cannons and played a role in the blockade of Southern ports. Its active service continued until 1873, when it was retired and sold to Benjamin Franklin Butler, a former general and politician. Butler maintained the vessel in operational condition and entered it in various races.

After his passing, it changed hands multiple times until it underwent restoration in 1921 through the America Restoration Fund. The restored ship was then gifted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis , where, unfortunately, proper maintenance was lacking. On March 29, 1942, the structure housing the ship collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowfall, causing additional damage. Subsequently, both the wreckage of the structure and the vessel itself were incinerated in 1945.

Sailing Experience Aboard Yacht America

For those fortunate enough to experience sailing aboard a replica or participate in events commemorating Yacht America, the thrill is unparalleled. The vessel’s graceful lines and historical significance create an immersive experience that connects sailors with the roots of competitive yachting. Whether cruising along the coast or participating in regattas, sailing on a vessel inspired by Yacht America is a unique journey through maritime history. Conclusion: As we sail through the 21st century, the legacy of Yacht America endures as a beacon for sailors and enthusiasts alike. From its groundbreaking victory in 1851 to the continued reverence it commands today, Yacht America remains an iconic symbol of American maritime prowess and the timeless allure of sailing. So, raise the sails, catch the wind, and let the spirit of Yacht America carry you on a voyage through the pages of nautical history. Fair winds!

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The original yacht America was built in 1851 to compete in the Hundred Guinea Cup, the only American entry against fourteen British vessels. When the race was over, Queen Victoria asked, “Who is in first place?” and was told that America had won. When she asked, “Then who is in second?” the American boat had such a strong lead that the reply was: “Madam, there is no second.” After this, the race became known as the America’s Cup.

Copied Charles S. Raleigh, The Yacht America , 1877, oil on canvas, 27 x  40  in. ( 68 . 6 x  101 . 6  cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eugene O’Dunne, 1973.150

This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian.

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Replica of Historic Yacht America Continues Tour

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: October 30, 2016

The 1995-built America —a replica of the historic schooner America that won the America’s Cup in 1851—is continuing her East Coast USA tour ahead of the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda.

The 139-foot replica America ‘s regular home port is in San Diego, on the U.S. West Coast. She was in North Carolina this past September and is expected to be in the Caribbean after the new year. She is the official ambassador of the upcoming America’s Cup.

The historic race: The original schooner America beat her British challenger by 8 minutes to take the America’s Cup in 1851.

For upcoming replica America tour dates: go to the America’s Cup website .

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Yacht America Schooner Model Ship Kit – Mamoli (MV26)

The 1851 Yacht America Schooner Model Ship Kit is manufactured by Mamoli Model Ship Kits & Mamoli Model Boat Kits. Mamoli focus on historical accuracy and fidelity of scale. Mamoli wooden model ship kits offer a large variety of subject matter to please almost everyone. The materials used in their wooden model ship kits are always first class and the plans are highly detailed.

History of the Yacht America

The Yacht America – Schooner 1851 was a 19th century racing yacht which gave its name to the international sailing trophy it first won the America’s Cup. Designed by George Steers and built in William Brown’s shipyard in 1851. Its name is still the most important and celebrated in the history of world yachting. On August 22, 1851, the America won by over 20 minutes the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 53 mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. America carried off an overwhelming victory over the English squadron.

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Neighborhood: Harborview 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, CA, 92101

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The America Yacht , a part of the Next Level Sailing fleet, makes for a perfect private or corporate getaway. Hop aboard and sail throughout the sparkling San Diego Bay while you enjoy all the picturesque views of the sea and skyline; Next Level Sailing  offers more than meets the eye – take your guests on a whale watching experience,  have an extravagant dining experience right on the water,  dance until sundown, and enjoy a truly unforgettable event on board The America.

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Yacht America: The Largest Sailing Yacht Available for Charter on the Entire West Coast of the United States

If you want to get out on the water and impress your friends, consider chartering the largest sailing yacht on the West Coast: the Yacht America. Located off the coast of San Diego, this yacht is perfect for various private events, including birthday parties, weddings, corporate events , anniversaries, bridal parties, and family reunions. Gather a group and enjoy being out on the open water while taking in the sights of the great coast.

Benefits of Chartering a Private Yacht

There are numerous advantages of a yacht charter. Many other boat tours are available, but chartering your own allows you to make all the decisions. Choose the guests, food, beverages, and itinerary. Perhaps you want to go whale watching , or maybe you want to explore the various sights and landmarks in the bay and beyond. Whichever way you want to spend your time, you can.

You can also rest assured that you will have a fun and safe time. The crew is highly trained, and they know what guests want. 

How Do I Charter a Private Yacht in California?

Go to Next Level Sailing’s website to charter the largest sailing yacht. You will find all the information you need there, and it is the only place to charter the full-sized replica of the Yacht America. Choose the type of charter you want, and then you can get down to the details.

The History Behind “Yacht America”

The Yacht America is a replica of ‘AMERICA,’ a racing yacht that won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Guinea Cup in 1851. The winners donated the cup to the New York Yacht Club, which resulted in the birth of the America’s Cup. Additional things that this vessel was over the years include:

• Naval Academy training vessel
• Confederate blockade runner
• Transporter of secret agents
• Union warship

The original vessel was destroyed in 1942 due to a large snowstorm. Unfortunately, it was in a garage, and the roof collapsed, causing the entire boat to be destroyed. The current Yacht America was built in 1995 and has been invited to multiple races and events worldwide.  

What You Can Expect Aboard the Largest Sailing Yacht Available for Charter

The options are endless when you take advantage of California’s private yacht charter. Whale watching is extremely popular, as the warm waters off the coast of southern California attract various whales at all times of the year. In winter, see gray whales ; in spring, keep an eye out for humpback, blue, and fin whales. Summer hosts blue whales, and fin and humpback whales return in the fall. You may also see dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, and many birds.

If you do not want to whale watch, you can also request a sightseeing tour around the large San Diego. See the USS Midway, Point Loma lighthouse, navy ships, Coronado Bridge, and the city skyline.

You can bring your food aboard or leave the work to the yacht’s crew. Various catering options are available, from cocktails and appetizers to a formal dinner. Whatever you envision your yacht charter to be, the crew can make it happen.

Wear layers and bring your sunglasses and sunscreen for comfort if you go out during the day. The yacht is even dog-friendly if you want to bring your four-legged friend along!  

Cheers to Sailing Along the West Coast

No matter what type of event or celebration you have, there is no better way to commemorate it than on the water. Charter the Yacht America, grab your friends and beverage of choice and enjoy all that sailing offers.

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NOT FOR CHARTER *

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AMERICA yacht NOT for charter*

39.62m  /  130' | goudy & stevens | 1967 / 1996.

Owner & Guests

Cabin Configuration

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Impressive 3,455nm range
• Sleeps 4 overnight

The 39.62m/130' sail yacht 'America' was built by Goudy & Stevens . This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of George Steers and she was last refitted in 1996.

Guest Accommodation

She is also capable of carrying up to 8 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

America is built with a fir/oak frames hull and teak superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel GM (8V 71) 314hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 10 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 12 knots with a range of up to 3,455 nautical miles from her 9,463 litre fuel tanks. Her water tanks store around 6,435 Litres of fresh water.

*Charter America Sail Yacht

Sail yacht America is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

America Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

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Specification

S/Y America

SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

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Sailing America: 10 of the best spots to cruise in the US

• Steve Walburn
• May 6, 2022

Sailing America opens up wide and varied cruising grounds, taking in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as temperate and tropical locations to explore under sail. Steve Walburn shares his 10 best spots

Santa Catalina, one of California’s Channel Islands, offers cruisers wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak. Credit: Getty

From the Pacific and Atlantic oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, America boasts the world’s eighth-longest coastline.

Throw in an abundance of freshwater sailing in the Great Lakes, along with myriad tropical destinations accessible from US waters, and the United States presents nearly endless cruising opportunities for visiting sailors.

Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes, offers plenty of sailing, including Chicago Harbor, guarded by the automated lighthouse on the northern breakwater. Credit: Getty

Whether you sail across the Atlantic or fly to the States and charter a boat, UK cruisers will find sailing adventure as varied as the country itself.

With both major coastlines stretching north and south, there is always year-round cruising at one latitude or another.

Starting in the Northeast during summer and working clockwise around the country, here are ten great destinations to set sail in the New World and beyond.

Penobscot Bay, Maine

Maine has a strong boat building heritage and you will see plenty of examples as you cruise the bay, including Casco. Credit: Getty

With its craggy coastline and rich maritime heritage, Maine may be the ultimate US cruising ground.

From Casco Bay in the south to the Bay of Fundy in the north, a labyrinth of wilderness islands, picturesque villages, and secluded anchorages await adventurous mariners.

Roughly in the middle of that ragged coast are the celebrated waters of Penobscot Bay.

There Maine’s tradition of wooden boat building thrives in places like Brooklin Boat Yard and Center Harbor.

Pink granite outcrops and evergreen forests line the scenic coast.

Gunkhole in a private cove for a day or two, then grab a mooring ball or a slip in any of dozens of Penobscot Bay harbors.

Excellent hiking and camping await on islands such as Warren Island State Park, where in summer the lush maritime woodlands are ripe with wild blueberry and raspberries.

Sailing America: Getting to Penobscot Bay, Maine

Peak Maine cruising season is July through August. During that time, the prevailing wind is a light southerly of about 5 knots.

The bay’s 20-mile breadth poses little difficulty entering either west or east Penobscot Bay.

However, a big tidal range, frequent fog , and a gauntlet of lobster pots make for challenging sailing.

Granite headlands call for vigilance against underwater ledges and obstructions.

Provisioning opportunities can be limited, so stock up in ports such as Rockland or Camden before venturing out.

Bareboat charters are available through Johanson Boatworks in Rockland ( www.jboatworks.com ) and Northpoint Yacht Charters in Rockport ( www.northpointyachtcharters.com ).

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Buy A Visual Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast by James Bildner at Amazon (UK)

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Sailing America: Newport, Rhode Island

The harbour at Newport is usually crowded but there are plenty of places to anchor in the bay. Credit: Getty

Newport, Rhode Island, is arguably the capital of US sailing. Nautical influences on this classic New England town range from the world’s largest fleet of 12 Metres to the Golden Age of Sail.

Consistent winds in relatively protected Narragansett Bay make for pleasant sailing in a light chop. The local climate is warmed by proximity to the Gulf Stream, and the sailing season can run through October.

Downtown Newport offers world-class dining, haul-out and repair facilities, and a bustling city centre full of diverse American architecture.

The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame are in nearby Bristol, and the famed Newport International Boat Show is in September.

Just outside Narragansett Bay lie the famed cruising grounds of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Block Island, all within a day’s sail.

The entrance to Long Island Sound (and New York Harbor via the East River) is about 40 miles south.

Sailing America: Getting to Newport

Narragansett Bay is divided into three sections: West Passage, East Passage, and the Sakonnet River. Conanicut Island lies in the middle and offers shelter on either side during strong southerly or northeasterly blows.

There are various mooring fields in all three sections of the bay, with popular anchorages off the east shore of Aquidneck Island.

Upon entering the bay from Rhode Island Sound, Newport Harbor is just beyond a relatively narrow channel south of Castle Hill Lighthouse at the mouth of East Passage.

The water widens inside, with plenty of room to maneuver until you enter the harbor proper, which is usually crowded with moored vessels.

Sail in a 12 Metre regatta with www.12meteryachtcharters.com .

Bareboat in Narragansett Bay through www.bareboatsailing.com.

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Sailing America: Chesapeake Bay

Spring and fall are the best times to cruise Chesapeake Bay. Credit: Getty

Chesapeake Bay is the largest inlet on the Atlantic Coast.

Its massive watershed drains six states and the District of Columbia, but the saltwater ecosystem is confined primarily to Virginia and Maryland.

With more total shoreline than the entire US west coast, scores of major cities and small towns line the bay.

The upper reaches are highlighted by Annapolis, Maryland, famous for its sailing heritage and annual boat show.

Baltimore Harbor is a little farther north, and Washington DC is just to the west on the Potomac River.

In contrast to the west side of the bay, the Eastern Shore is mostly farmland, with endless creeks, bays, and narrows offering a gunkholer’s delight.

Popular small ports on the eastern side include St. Michaels on the Miles River and Oxford on the Tred Avon River.

The southern bay is home to busy Virginia ports such as Virginia Beach and Norfolk, the site of a huge US naval station.

Sailing America: Getting to Chesapeake Bay

Offshore sailors enter the bay at the 17-mile-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting mainland Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore.

For inshore travellers, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway joins the bay with protected North Carolina waters farther south.

The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal connects the upper Chesapeake Bay to Delaware Bay. Both stretches are important ICW corridors for snowbird cruisers migrating with the seasons.

Mid-summer brings stifling heat and humidity, but spring and fall offer pleasant sailing in temperate climates.

Bareboat rentals with Waypoints Annapolis ( www.waypoints.com ).

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Beaufort to Beaufort, The Carolinas

Beaufort, North Carolina is a good base for exploring the Outer Banks to the north

A cruise from Beaufort, North Carolina, to Beaufort, South Carolina, features the historic ports of both cities, as well as the antebellum city of Charleston, SC.

On the northern end lies Beaufort, NC (pronounced Bō-fert), with its quaint waterfront, maritime history museum, and quick access to the wild Outer Banks.

Beaufort’s immediate neighborhood includes the pristine Rachel Carson marine reserve, Shackleford Banks and its herd of wild horses, and Cape Lookout National Seashore, the southern terminus of one of the longest undeveloped coastlines on the Atlantic seaboard.

South Carolina’s identically named town (pronounced Bū-ferd) is home to classic Lowcountry marshes graced with vibrant green spartina grasses and an afternoon light that is downright ethereal.

In between lies Charleston, a sprawling seaport of historic antebellum homes, world-class restaurants, and graceful southern charm.

Sailing America: Getting to Beaufort to Beaufort

It is roughly 350 miles between the Beauforts, which can also include stops at salty towns like Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Well-travelled sections of the ICW connect all three cities.

Extra caution is advised when entering or exiting any of the inlets that bisect the mid-Atlantic barrier islands, especially on strong southeasterly winds or at low tide.

Frying Pan Shoals off the cape at Bald Head Island extends well offshore and deserves a very wide berth.

Transient boat slips are available in all three harbours through Safe Harbor Marinas ( www.shmarinas.com ).

Buy Waterway Guide Atlantic ICW 2022 at Amazon (US)

Florida Keys

There are hundreds of islands to cruise in the Florida Keys including Wisteria Island in Key West. Credit: Getty

The Florida Keys are often perceived as simply a jumping-off point for passage to the Caribbean , but they offer excellent cruising in themselves.

Charter a boat in Miami, and you have more than 800 islands and islets stretching 150 miles from Key Biscayne to Key West.

Beyond that lie the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas island groups, both US territories and the centrepieces of a US national wildlife refuge and a national park.

The 70-mile passage from Key West to Dry Tortugas is a popular trip accessible to most intermediate-level cruisers.

The Keys are also home to the only barrier coral reef in North America, and the third largest in the world.

Ashore any of the Keys you will find a kitschy, flip-flop vibe unlike anywhere else in the States. And best of all, the Keys are indeed a great staging area for any itinerary that takes you deeper into the Caribbean.

Sailing America: Getting to the Florida Keys

Most marine areas from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas are protected by the 3,800-square mile Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

There are mooring balls located up and down the reef. Contact the sanctuary for a free map of mooring ball locations ( www.floridakeys.noaa.gov ).

If anchoring , keep in mind that much of the Keys is marl bottom, which can make getting a good anchor set difficult.

When in doubt, use the clear waters to dive on your anchor. Bareboat charters are available through Miami Yacht Charters ( www.miamicharters.com ).

Buy Waterway Guide Florida Keys at Amazon (US)

Buy Waterway Guide Southern 2022 at Amazon (US)

Buy Waterway Guide Southern 2022 at Amazon (UK)

Continues below…

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US Virgin Islands

St John is a popular sailing destination in the USVIs, but you can find a quiet anchorage, off Hawksnest Bay. Credit: Getty

The US Virgin Islands (USVI) offer classic cruising in cerulean water against a backdrop of green volcanic islands.

Distinct from the flatter and more arid Bahamas to the north, the USVI is a tropical paradise lying at the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

In addition to the group’s three main islands, there are scores of smaller islets and cays scattered throughout the archipelago.

They are renowned for sandy white beaches and lush tropical forests. Maho Bay on St. John is one of the more popular destinations, known for the opportunity to snorkel with green and hawksbill sea turtles.

There are numerous national parks, monuments, and marine preserves throughout the islands. More than half of St. Thomas is a US national park.

Point your bow toward the USVI, and you will end up at the centre point of the entire Virgin Islands archipelago, with the British VI lying due east and the lesser-known Puerto Rican VI to the west.

Sailing America: Getting to the US Virgin Islands

There are several ways to sail to the Virgin Islands. A rhumb line from the US mainland at Miami is known as the Thorny Path due to the labyrinth of islands, reefs, shoals, currents, and upwind slogs complicating the route.

This nearshore passage is best handled in short hops over a long period of successive weather windows. That means taking several weeks instead of days.

The alternative is known as the I-65 Expressway, so named because it takes you east of Florida offshore to longitude 65°W.

From there you sail south across the trades in true offshore conditions. Or you can just fly into St. Thomas and charter with Waypoints USVI ( www.waypoints.com ).

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The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands 2022 by Simon Scott at Amazon (UK)

Channel Islands, California

All moorings at Avalon harbor on Catalina, one of the Channel Islands, are allocated on a first-come, first, serve basis. Visiting yachts should stand by the harbor entrance to be assigned a mooring. Credit: Getty

California’s Channel Islands consist of eight major islands divided into a northern group and a southern group.

Cruisers visiting southern California will find either destination a short sail off the mainland.

Characterised by arid, rugged terrain and abundant wildlife, this pristine area presents challenging sailing that rewards mariners with stunning scenery in remote anchorages.

A menagerie of whale, dolphin, sea lion, and seal species inhabit these waters, most of which are encompassed in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

Onshore you will find scattered beaches, sea caves, and excellent hiking in places such as the Pelican Bay Trail on Santa Cruz Island. Flora and fauna range from cacti to buffalo.

Because much of the Channel Islands are protected or private, you may need a permit to go ashore.

When you are ready to regroup in port, check out the scenic town of Avalon on Catalina Island.

At a population of only 3,460, it is the most developed town in these otherwise pristine islands and a great place to re-provision, shop, or dine out for a night or two.

Sailing America: Getting to the Channel Islands

The closest of the Channel Islands is less than 15 miles from the mainland, but the entire archipelago is known for ocean swell, confused seas, and strong winds.

To the north, Point Conception is sometimes referred to as the “Cape Horn of the Pacific” due to frequent gales that threaten seas in the northern group.

And the downslope Santa Ana “Devil Winds” blowing offshore from the mainland are a force to be closely monitored

All the islands offer plenty of anchorages, but relatively few are fully protected.

Perfect your anchoring technique and ground tackle before setting sail to the Channel Islands.

Charter or bareboat from Santa Barbara Sailing Center ( www.sbsail.com ).

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San Francisco Bay, California

It is best to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on the slack before the flood. Credit: Getty

When you have had your fill of California’s wild coastal islands, head north for some urban cruising in beautiful San Francisco Bay.

Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge is a milestone for any mariner.

Host of the 2013 America’s Cup, the bay is a colourful mix of cityscape and nature, from local green spaces to surrounding recreation areas, parks, and mountains.

Hip and progressive, America’s iconic west coast city reflects cultural influences ranging from the Beat Generation to nearby Silicon Valley.

At the nautical epicentre are Aquatic Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, including its flagship Balclutha , a 301-foot square-rigger built in 1886.

Take a couple of days or a couple of weeks to cruise past the exhilarating port cities lining the bay, and you’ll find plenty of sightseeing—and wind—to keep any sailor entertained.

Sailing America: Getting to San Francisco Bay

Most cruisers chart a counterclockwise route through the bay, always mindful of the powerful winds running through the narrows under Golden Gate Bridge, a long fetch known as The Slot.

Notorious for fog and chill ocean winds, even in the peak of summer bay sailing is a bracing experience.

Major shipping lanes, stacked seas, and strong currents add to the challenge (and accomplishment) of sailing in San Francisco Bay.

Some of the more popular anchorages include Clipper Cove, Richardson Bay off of Sausalito, Ayala Cove at Angel Island State Park, and Aquatic Park Cove on the northern edge of the city.

Bareboat or skippered charters are available through Spinnaker Sailing ( www.spinnaker-sailing.com ).

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San Juan Islands, Washington

Lummi in the San Juan Islands offers a sheltered anchorage, with a view of Mount Baker, an active volcano. Credit: Getty

What Maine sailing is to America’s northeast coast, the San Juan Islands are to its Pacific Northwest.

This archipelago of temperate rainforests scattered between Washington State and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, offers some of the best cruising in North America.

Situated above the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Salish Sea, the islands also mark a starting point for passages farther north along the magnificent BC coast and up the Inside Passage to Southeast Alaska.

The San Juans are former British territory charted in 1792 by Royal Navy officer George Vancouver, after whom many of the region’s most prominent landmarks are named.

Today, the islands are a serene outpost of sparse human inhabitation coexisting with towering fir and hemlock trees, black-tailed deer, sea otters, shorebirds, migrating waterfowl, and America’s highest concentration of its national symbol, the bald eagle.

Pods of resident orcas roam the myriad passes and inlets in pursuit of salmon and seals.

Cruisers needing to stretch their legs ashore will find pebble beaches and excellent hiking on nearly every island.

Sailing America: Getting to the San Juan Islands

You can spend a week and see plenty of the San Juans or spend years and still not see it all.

These compact islands are a labyrinth of passages, coves, and bays that make for world-class anchorages.

There are 11 Washington state marine parks in the San Juans, all of which offer moorings, campsites, and other essential facilities.

Underwater rocks and strong tidal flows abound, so large-detail charts and tide tables are a must. Shore-tying skills are also critical in anchorages that are too confined to permit standard anchoring.

Charters are available from San Juan Sailing ( www.sanjuansailing.com )

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Hawaiian Islands

Yachts can only stay 72 hours in a single anchorage before moving on in Hanalei Harbor on Kauai, and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. Credit: Getty

Although Hawaii is more than 2,000 miles from the American mainland, no US cruising guide would be complete without a nod to this storied Pacific destination.

Surrounded by steady trade winds, Hawaii offers year-round sailing in azure waters against a backdrop of lush volcanic islands.

Cruising sailors share the waters with humpback whales, spinner dolphins, monk seals, manta rays, green turtles, and a kaleidoscope of reef fishes.

Onshore, these isolated islands present a spectrum of micro-climates determined by altitude, wind, topography, and weather patterns.

The result is a rich diversity of ecosystems ranging from tropical forests to desertscape and alpine slopes.

The state is also among America’s most culturally diverse because of its central location between North America and East Asia. Its state flag still incorporates the Union Jack.

Sailing America: Getting to the Hawaiian Islands

The trade winds in Hawaii average about 15 knots from the east. However, wind accelerating through the passes between islands can make things very spicy.

The leeward or western side of the archipelago offers calmer seas most of the time.

Sailors depart for the Hawaiian Islands from all corners of the Pacific, including Mexico , Australia, New Zealand, and Alaska.

And, of course, you can always sail across from the US mainland. But that is a whole other story!

Bareboat options are limited in Hawaii due to the challenging conditions.

For a skippered charter, check out Yacht Charters Hawaii ( www.charter-hawaii.com ) or Honolulu Sailing Company ( www.honsail.com )

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Sailing America: Hidden Attractions

Museum hopping.

Herreshoff Marine Museum’s Hall of Fame is a must visit. Credit: Getty

Herreshoff Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame

Brothers Nathanael and Francis Herreshoff are America’s most celebrated naval architects.

They built everything from canoes to torpedo boats but are best remembered as the authors of hundreds of sailing designs, five of which won America’s Cup titles.

Located in Bristol, RI, the museum is easily visited during a cruise of Narragansett Bay.

www.herreshoff.org

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Immerse yourself in Chesapeake Bay’s nautical history by sailing to St. Michaels, Maryland.

The local maritime museum consists of 35 buildings and 85 vessels, including the last working log-bottom bugeye, Edna Lockwood, a Chesapeake Bay oyster dredger declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

www.cbmm.org

North Carolina Maritime Museums

This network of state history museums is dedicated to the story of North Carolina’s rich nautical history.

One of the best in the system is in Beaufort, NC, where you will find colorful exhibits of maritime history ranging from pirate ships to wooden skiffs.

www.ncmaritimemuseums.com

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

Encompassing 50 acres, this US National Park Service facility is one of the west coast’s most important nautical history centres.

Among other attractions, it includes a museum, a fleet of six historic vessels, and a research centre housing thousands of photographs, articles, books, artwork, and naval drawings.

www.nps.gov/safr/index.htm

Bonus Cruising Grounds

Sanibel Island is a good place to stop for cruisers sailing up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Credit: Getty

The Great Lakes

Straddling the US and Canadian border, the world’s largest group of inland lakes presents myriad freshwater cruising opportunities.

There is even access from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The grandaddy of them all, Lake Superior, offers stellar freshwater sailing around Isle Royale National Park, The Apostle Islands, and St. Ignace Island (in Canadian waters).

Gulf of Mexico

Oil and gas development and a relatively homogenous coastline tend to steer cruisers away from the Gulf of Mexico.

Yet America’s best white-sand beaches are found along the Gulf Coast. If you are cruising the tip of Florida, consider tucking around to its southwest side.

There you will find shallow-water cruising along the edge of Everglades National Park, 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and the sugar-white beaches of Sanibel Island, Captiva, and Pine Island Sound.

Sailing America: What you need to know

Credit: Getty

All temporary visitors to the US are required to have a passport, but not necessarily a visa.

Visit the US State Department website ( Travel.State.Gov ) and search ‘Visa Waiver Program’ for a list of participating countries.

Whether you clear in at the helm of your own vessel or plan to charter for a few days or weeks, here are some additional tips to keep in mind.

Clearing In

Cruising sailors must clear in at an official port of entry. A list of ports is available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website ( www.cbp.gov/contact/ports ).

Arriving sailors should have the standard portfolio of passport and visa (if required), boat registration, insurance documentation, crew lists, free pratique, and port clearance from their previous destination.

Keep these and other documents well organised and backed up by photocopies or stored in the cloud. Have your boat stamp at the ready and maintain the vessel in inspection condition.

While cruising, monitor VHF 16 as a listening channel. Visit the US Coast Guard Navigation Center web page for additional VHF radio channel information.

There you will find a wealth of cruising resources, including links to the frequently updated Local Notice to Mariners available by region.

Another great resource is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) United States Coast Pilot Series.

This free downloadable booklet gives a written summary of all navigation standards, hazards, and highlights throughout the country.

Find the guides online here .

Bareboat Chartering

Bareboat charter requirements vary according to location and company policy.

In general, the US standard is certification from either the American Sailing Association (ASA) or US Sailing.

The ASA bareboat certification is course 104, which can be obtained only after completing the organisation’s basic keelboat and coastal cruising courses.

Be ready to produce a sailing resume with at least 80 hours of experience.

Consult your charter company to find out whether other credentials, such as the International Certification of Competence, are acceptable.

The bottom line is to conduct your research specific to the location you plan to visit.

Regardless of experience or coursework, the decision on whether to rent a boat to you will ultimately be up to the individual charter operator.

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History of the Yacht

By: American Sailing Sailing History

When does a boat become a yacht? One answer has always been, you can tell a yacht when you see one. But, It really has nothing to do with size of the boat, weight of the boat, its style, sleeping quarters, heads, tillers, or a wheel. A yacht is a boat that was designed for the express pleasure of its owner.

The yacht is an invention of the 14th century Dutch. The Dutch used small, fast boats for chasing smugglers, pirates and criminals. Rich ship owners and merchants began using these small “ jaghts ” to sail out to celebrate their returning merchant ships. It quickly became chic to use these “ jaghts ” to take friends out just for pleasure.

“ Mary ” was presented to King Charles II by the Dutch in 1660.

Charles II of England spent 10 years in exile in Holland before he was returned to the English throne in 1660. His return to the throne was celebrated by the city of Amsterdam, presenting him with a luxurious 60’ yacht including a crew of 20. Her name was Mary. He took great pleasure in sailing her up and down the Thames. He studied navigation and even naval architecture and he built approximately 20 yachts during his lifetime. It can be said that he was the world’s first yachtsman. His enthusiasm for yachting was contagious and his brother James, Duke of York, joined him and also became an avid yachtsman as well.

As always when there are two sailboats on the water a race ensues. Soon the first organized regatta was planned as a 40-mile race on the Thames. It took place in 1661 between Katherine , Charles’s newly constructed yacht and Anne , the Duke of York’s new yacht with Charles himself at the helm Katherine won and a new sport was born.

Yachting stayed the Sport of Kings for over a century, but by the 1800s yachting had grown to included participants of more than just the crown heads of Europe. The worlds wealthiest had joined in. Yacht Clubs were forming. The first yacht club in the world, called the Cork Water Club , was established in Ireland in 1720, followed the Lough Ree Yacht Club in 1770 (again in Ireland), and the Starcross Yacht Club in 1772 in England.

Cowes Castle became the headquarters of the Royal Yacht Squadron around 1858.

Probably the most famous of all the English yacht clubs the The Royal Yacht Squadron was founded on June 1, 1815 in the Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London as The Yacht Club by 42 gentlemen interested in yachting.

Across the pond the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) was started on July 30, 1844 when John Cox Stevens invited eight friends to his yacht Gimcrack , anchored in New York Harbor. They formed a syndicate to build a yacht with the intention of taking her to England and making some money competing in yachting regattas and match races. They choose to build a Pilot style Schooner to represent the club; at the time there was no faster design!

Pilot Schooners would lie at anchor in the inner harbor of New York City and wait for the behmoth square rigged Clippers carrying goods between America and Europe. The Pilot Boats purpose was to guide the huge square riggers that would appear at the entrance to New York Harbor’s Verazno Straights, to a berth in the City. The Schooners had to be fast to make a living. First one to the cargo ship got the job second got nothing.

The syndicate contracted with master schooner designer George Steers for a 101 ft (30.78 m) schooner which was christened America and launched on the 3 of May 1851. America crossed the Atlantic on her own bottom that year and challenged all of England’s fastest yachts to a match race. No yachts were willing to race her. Finally, America joined a free-for-all on Friday, August 22, around the Isle of Wight, racing against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron in the club’s annual 53-nautical-mile (98 km) race around the Isle of Wight. Finishing 8 minutes ahead of its closest rival. America had won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “ Hundred Guinea Cup “, later called the America’s Cup in honor of the yacht that won it.

The Yacht America

Watching the race was Queen Victoria, who supposedly inquired, “ Which is first? ” Told it was America , she asked, “ Which is second? ” “ Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second, ” was the reply. Or so the story goes. The NYYC defended that trophy from 1870-1983. This has been described by journalists as “ the longest winning streak in sports “.

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America's Cup sets sail in Barcelona with New Zealand defending the Auld Mug

NYYC American Magic's AC75, left, and Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli Team's AC75 boat sail during America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race at the Barcelona's coast, Spain, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

BARCELONA, Spain — The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America’s Cup starts on Thursday.

Five boats – from Italy, the United States, Britain, Switzerland and France – will spend the coming weeks racing in the Mediterranean waves to decide which will earn the honor of trying to dethrone the almighty Emirates Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug.

As the two-time defender, the Kiwis chose Barcelona’s choppy waters as the venue and helped establish the rules and boat design for this edition. They also get a guaranteed spot in the final to be held in October.

The results of three years of work and massive investment will now be put to the test.

“It is starting to get serious in a hurry. We are now racing for keeps,” Ben Ainslie, skipper of British team INEOS Britannia, said Wednesday.

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Here is what else you need to know about the equivalent of the World Cup of sailing.

Sci-fi Boats

For anyone who has not followed the foiling revolution in sailing over the past decade, America's Cup yachts look more like something designed to fly through outer space in a sci-fi film than a traditional sailboat.

A spectator watches the race as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team's AC75 boat sails during the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race off the coast of Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, along with the best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology, will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

The only parts more or less recognizable are the rudder, mast, mainsail and jib on the foiling 75-foot monohull that the champions chose as the boat type for these regattas. This AC75 is an evolution of the 2021 monohulls, which were a radical leap from the catamarans that the same New Zealand team sailed to victory in 2017.

If you are looking for a skipper standing tall at the helm while sailors scamper around the deck, then forget it. The helmeted crew members are tucked into cockpits, keeping them out of the wind and favoring the boats' aerodynamics.

But the most remarkable feature of these boats are the two hydrofoils, attached to winglike appendages port and starboard, that make these boats look like giant water strider insects. The foils enable these wonders of nautical engineering to spend more time with the bottom of their hulls above the water than submerged while racing. Their “T” shape resembles the inverted tail of an orca whale, and their 4.5-meter span sustains the more than six-ton boat as it rockets over the water at 50 knots per hour (92 kph/57.5 mph).

All the teams have two helmsmen for this race – copying a move made by the Italian Luna Rossa team three years ago. The two helmsmen take turns steering and watching the other's blind spot since each one has half his visibility cut off by the sails. There are also two trimmers.

Spectators watch the race between Ineos Britannia's AC75 and Alinghi Red Bull Racing's AC75 boats during the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ahead of the 37th America's Cup sailing race off the coast of Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. The world's oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America's Cup starts on Thursday. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

Gone this time are the grinders. Instead, each boat has four cyclists, called “cyclors” — many of whom are world-class rowers — who pedal away to power the hydraulic mechanisms needed to trim the sails and rotate the mast.

The Defender

Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup in 1995 and 2000 before winning the last two editions.

They are without a doubt the team to beat.

The team led by Grant Dalton has earned the respect of their rivals for their daring boat designs and flawless execution. They will participate in the opening round, but their points won’t count. They will then sit out the next two rounds while the remaining teams duke it out to see which will meet them in the final.

Peter Burling is back at the helm after helping the team win in 2017 and 2021. He is joined by fellow Olympic medalist Nathan Outteridge in steering their super-sleek Taihoro yacht.

“The challenger group is the strongest it has been in a long time at the America’s Cup,” Burling said. “It is going to be super exciting to see what happens over the next weeks.”

The Challengers

— Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team reached the last final in 2021 — and lost 7-3. The team representing the Sicily Yacht Club is steered by helmsmen Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni.

— INEOS Britannia is hoping to end Britain’s painfully long search for a title. No team has challenged as many times as the British, a losing streak which started back in 1851 when they were bettered by the schooner America in a race around the Isle of Wight. INEOS is led by helmsman and Olympic great Ainslie and is supported by the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

— NYYC American Magic is back after its 2021 campaign ended shortly after its Patriot boat capsized and almost sank. The New York Yacht Club draws on the history of having won the first edition and then successfully defending the title 24 times until that incredible 132-year run ended in 1983. It's helmed by Tom Slingsby, the sailor of the year, an Australian who has an American passport thanks to his American mother, and Englishman Paul Goodison, a fellow Olympic gold medalist.

__ Alinghi Red Bull Racing is backed by the sports drink giant and its F1 team. The Swiss outfit is seeking a title after the landlocked nation won the cup in 2003 and 2007. It has been training in Barcelona the longest after setting up base here two years ago.

__ Orient Express Racing Team comes with a boat based on a design it purchased from the New Zealand team. The last team to arrive in Barcelona, the French face the extra challenge of having less on-site practice time.

A round-robin stage will eliminate the weakest challenger by Sept. 8. The remaining four will have two playoff series to decide which boat will take on New Zealand in a best-of-13 series starting on Oct. 12.

This year’s event also includes a new Women’s America’s Cup and a youth competition.

The Race Course

The racing will take place in the same stretch of water used for the sailing events at the 1992 Olympics.

Boats zigzag back and forth across a rectangular race course located in waters just off the Barcelona beachfront, within view of fans on the shore. Boats have to pass through a pair of buoys – called a gate – and perform hairpin turns by shifting from one foil to the other.

Several teams have said that Barcelona’s waters can produce trickier race conditions than, for example, Auckland, since there is no natural bay to stop the wave action that comes from far offshore and often goes in a direction off-angle from the wind.

Race starts are crucial as boats maneuver to be in a leading position when they hit the starting line.

In choosing Spain, New Zealand broke with its tradition of picking Auckland as this edition’s venue because of the need to ensure a big payday. And what better place to ensure people would flock to see the event than one of Europe’s major Mediterranean destinations?

The last regatta in New Zealand was held when the world was still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant there were scant crowds and little of the glamor – think superyachts and wealthy sailing amateurs — who are expected to be back en masse at Barcelona. Fashion and luxury goods designer Louis Vuitton has returned as the official sponsor of the race, and the trophy is secured in a custom Louis Vuitton case when it travels.

Barcelona calculates the event will attract some 2.5 million tourists and leave over a billion euros in the city. It is being held during an upsurge in citizen complaints against what they consider “overtourism” and skyrocketing rents.

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The quest: How the America’s Cup teams are taking their tech cues from Formula One

With the biggest prize in sailing at stake, America’s Cup contenders have come together with Formula One to gain the winning edge for Barcelona 2024, Georgie Ainslie explains.

The America’s Cup has, at its core, always been about design and technology. Since 1851, the only way to win this extraordinary yacht race has been to be faster, braver and more reliable than the opposition. The same can be said of Formula One. The similarities between these two prestigious sports, played out on the water and on the racetrack, are both superficial and substantial.

Common ground can be found in their glamorous appeal; the billionaire backers and luxury brand sponsors, but also in the minutiae that can make the difference between success and second – albeit in the Cup there is no second. With the biggest prize in sailing at stake, it was only a matter of time before the best in both disciplines would join in a quest to win the oldest trophy in sport.

For this, the 37th edition of the Cup , three of the six challengers have some association with a Formula One team: Alinghi (Switzerland) is working with Red Bull Racing; Orient Express Racing (France) is linked to Alpine; and INEOS Britannia and Mercedes share 50/50 partnership, whereby the current campaign’s technical program is spearheaded by the Mercedes F1 team.

So where can the America’s Cup teams gain most from the best brains in the Formula  One paddock?

Understanding fluids

An obvious place to start is in fluids design. Any fan of F1 knows that the single biggest factor affecting the car’s competitiveness is the efficiency of its aerodynamics. The aerodynamics department in a modern F1 team is larger than an entire America’s Cup team, sailors and all.

Ironically, although much smaller, an America’s Cup team is even more dependent on expertise in this field. The yacht is powered by a fluid (the wind) and borne by a fluid (the water), and only those with mastery of these dual fluids will design a boat capable of winning the Cup. All Cup teams are looking to harness as much thrust from the sails for the lowest possible drag. 

And just like an F1 team, which has to maximise the performance of its car in every condition around the lap with a car that is well-balanced, fast and easy to drive, so too, every Cup team is searching for that perfect combination of characteristics that allow the sailors to take off in minimum wind, to tack and gybe with minimal loss of speed and to let rip when the yacht is in a straight line.

Aerodynamics

Although an F1 team is stacked with talented aerodynamicists and has spent decades investing in computational fluid dynamics know-how, this does not mean that they found the challenges of the Cup a breeze. Above the waterline is familiar territory, where the skills honed on race cars translate directly to maximising the aerodynamic efficiency of the rig and hull. Below the waterline, experienced marine hands have helped to shepherd the raw talent of the F1 aerodynamicists, introducing them to the new constraints of cavitation, ventilation and structural dynamics. 

For the INEOS Britannia team, this partnership has been thrilling, as James Allison, the technical director of the Mercedes F1 Team and the Cup campaign, explains: “Compared with the very iterative world of F1, the challenge of America’s Cup has been invigorating for our aerodynamicists. They have found a giant canvas on which to express their pre-existing skills and a stimulating world in which to learn fresh ones. The combined attack of a set of willing F1 aerodynamicists and some experienced marine architects has produced a very effective group.”

Onboard telemetry systems

Another area with overlapping knowledge is systems integration. Beneath the skin of an F1 car, there is a hive of hydraulic, electronic, mechanical and software systems. You cannot make a fast car without knowing how to make all these systems work together. The yacht is just the same – interdependent electronics, mechanical systems, hydraulics and software are the beating heart of the boat, without which a foiling AC75 simply could not sail. 

These mechatronic systems, more extensive on the yacht than in the car in terms of electronic architecture, provide the control systems and actuators the sailors use to sail the boat to its absolute limits. The rules allow for the development of intuitive human machine interfaces (HMI), which, short of allowing an autopilot, give the sailors a huge amount of support in how they control the yacht.

Although there is great expertise in this field that is native to the America’s Cup industry, it is difficult to cover the huge amount of ground necessary with the available resources. The experience of an F1 mechanical, electrical, software or controls engineer is not identical, but it is sufficiently close to allow a partnership that is effective from the outset, and which swells the numbers to make the task feasible.

Andy McLean, INEOS Britannia’s lead systems engineer, comments: “Mercedes F1 use their process and horsepower for [systems] modelling and optimisation, removing weight and increasing reliability. The system is similar, but a lot bigger than a car, so they bring all their years of learning and apply it to the yacht quite easily. It has been impressive to watch.”

Simulation Vs. trial and error

Although the word “simulation” conjures up images of flight simulator-type devices, this so-called Human In the Loop (HIL) simulation is only the tip of the America’s Cup iceberg. The heavy lifting of the simulation is done mathematically, in software. The performance and software engineers in the team work to build every ounce of the team’s understanding of the forces acting on the yacht into elaborate mathematical models. These models are then used to predict the competing performance potential of different designs to allow the promising candidates to be pursued and the failed approaches to be dropped. 

The simulation studies allow trade-offs to be assessed and predictions to be made. The best of these candidate designs are eventually put before sailors, who don virtual reality goggles to feel and assess the behaviour of the virtual yacht as they sail it across a virtual sea. HIL simulation is a vital cog in the machine, but only one part of a vast expenditure of simulation effort to deliver the fastest yacht possible to the race.

Although the timescales and the physics differ – the task of simulation (both virtual and human in the loop) is identical in F1 racing. The human skills are directly transferable, and so, too,  are some of the software machinery. This has been possible because the continuous F1 investment in their simulation architecture has serendipitously created capability generically useful to any high-performance vehicle.

Machine learning

The potential for F1 and Cup engineers to realise benefits from the new machine learning discipline is huge. It is already showing its strength with the AC37 generation of boats, and mastery of this tech is likely to be a big performance differentiator in the next Cup cycle. It’s clear there’s a path here between F1 and America’s Cup teams that’s well worth going down – a voyage of exploration with potential to provide the difference in an increasingly more technical environment. 

As with all partnerships, it’s always a work in progress. F1 generally relies on financial and personnel resources roughly 10 times that of an America’s Cup team. Remember also, F1 competes year in, year out, not once every three to four years as Cup teams do. Working out which processes to incorporate and which just won’t fit into a Cup campaign, for lack of time and/or resource, is where the management teams judgment comes in.

Benefits on both sides 

It’s not one-way traffic in terms of learning. While F1 engineers benefit from working in a large organization that has had many decades to tune its systems and optimize its approach, they have seen how a small, nimble team like INEOS Britannia has advantages, too. F1 teams can create a host of niche engineers, each of them playing their specialized part in a well-oiled machine. America’s Cup teams can afford no such luxury. Each team member must cover much more ground than their F1 equivalent. 

F1, so long able to operate almost without financial constraint, has recently introduced regulations to cap the funds that can be lavished on car engineering, forcing F1 teams to find solutions that are better value for money, and asking employees to widen their scope. For a relationship established purely to build a boat capable of winning the America’s Cup, Allison explains that this is an unexpected and welcome final synergy.

“Early on in this campaign, I was quoted as saying ‘F1 is hard, but America’s Cup is proper hard,’” he says. “Two years on, I stand by this early impression. Time is the enemy of both sports; there is never enough of it. But in America’s Cup, where the ground to cover is so vast and the resources so comparatively small, the sensation of the ever-ticking clock is inescapable.

“I have great admiration for the engineers who have chosen to make these Cup cycles their way of life. Necessity has forced them to find ways of working that make the near-impossible achievable, and to do so to a very tightly constrained budget. For engineers used to the relative luxury of F1, this has been an exciting, eye-opening ride that will serve them very well in the increasingly resource-limited world of modern F1.”

Commercial appeal

Finally, there’s the question of commerciality. What can the Cup world learn from the Formula One world here? Plenty. Since the popular Drive to Survive series came into play, the sport, which was once thought to be inaccessible and at times boring to a wider demographic, is now considered must-watch TV by a growing and younger fan base attracted by the soap opera that is the Netflix Effect. 

Now resonating with a generation that is as interested by the tales off the track as in the results written on them, F1’s popularity has skyrocketed. According to Nielson Sports, the Formula One audience between the ages of 16 to 35 grew to more than one billion by April 2022.

To ensure survival in an ever-congested world of choice, the Cup must pay attention. It should look to Formula One for lessons in how to achieve an audience beyond the purists. It has to understand, as Sir Ben Ainslie, INEOS Britannia CEO and skipper, appreciates, “The potential to grow the sport is huge, but to do that, [it] needs long-term vision and continuity that, due to its quirky governance, the Cup has never had. The opportunity is there for stakeholders and fans alike.”

Access is not something that the Cup has given away lightly over the past 173 years. Successful teams have often been those who have kept their cards closest to their chests and produced an element of genuine surprise when it mattered most. But whoever the victor is in Barcelona this October, they would do well to consider the upsides of what a more modern approach borrowed from another elite speed sport could do for the oldest and perhaps most undervalued sporting trophy.

Georgie Ainslie is a sports broadcaster and host of the Performance People podcast. She is the Founder of ainslie + ainslie, the official supplement supplier to INEOS Britannia and Emirates GBR SailGP teams, and is married to INEOS Britannia CEO and skipper Sir Ben Ainslie. First published in the September 2024 issue of Life Under Sail.

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