America's Cup: $100M Yacht Design & Construction by BMW Oracle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and construction of yachts for the America's Cup, specifically focusing on the BMW Oracle Racing team's trimaran and the technological advancements involved, including the use of CFD software. Participants also reflect on the historical context of multi-hull entries in the competition.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the significant investment of around $100 million in the design and construction of the BMW Oracle yacht, highlighting its innovative wing design using CFD software.
  • Another participant recalls the controversy surrounding multi-hull entries in the America's Cup, questioning whether the competition has shifted entirely to multi-hulls.
  • A participant confirms that both the BMW Oracle trimaran and the Alinghi catamaran are multi-hull vessels, providing details about their specifications and the upcoming races.
  • There is mention of the racing format for the 33rd America's Cup, including the specific rules and course types, which may influence the competition dynamics.
  • One participant expresses concern about the implications of having only two entries in the race, suggesting it may reflect a manipulation of the rules by the defending team.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement on the multi-hull nature of the current entries, but there is disagreement regarding the implications of the limited number of challengers and the historical context of multi-hull participation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific racing rules and technological advancements, but does not resolve the implications of these factors on the competition's integrity or future challenges.

Astronuc
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I was listening this morning to a news article about America's cup. The reporter mentioned that abou $100 million was spent on designing (and construction?) of the vessels.

Here's the BMW Oracle entry.
http://www.bymnews.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=240&pid=109970
http://www.bymnews.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=240
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=65514

http://bmworacleracing.com/en/index.html - very cool yacht

http://www.oracle.com/corporate/bmw-oracle-racing.html


It turns out that the designers used CD-Adapco's STAR-CCM+ CFD package to design the sail/wing.
http://www.cd-adapco.com/press_room/2010/01-28-10-americascup.html

Mike Drummond, BMW Oracle’s Racing Design Director explained: “A wing of this scale has never been built for a boat. In terms of size, it dwarfs those on modern aircraft. Towering nearly 190ft (57m) above the deck, it is 80 per cent bigger than a wing on a 747 airplane.”

I highly recommend learning FEM and CFD if one is majoring in Mechanical/Aerospace/Nuclear engineering.
 
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I had just recently moved to San Diego when Dennis Connor entered his extremely controversial cat, like 20 years ago, in the hope of winning back the cup he'd lost. There was an uproar and many objections because no one had ever entered a multi-hull before.

I see this "oracle" is a trimaran. Is the America's Cup all multi-hulls now? (I kinda lost touch with the competition after Conner won the cup back.)
 
Alighi - Société Nautique de Genève - has a racing catamaran -
http://www.americascup.com/en/acteurs/alinghi/bateau-55-857

versus the BMW Oracle Trimaran.

So yes - both (all) vessels are multi-hull. I could only find these two teams.


I guess there is one challenger against the defender.

. . . .
In just over ten knots of wind the multihull crews have reported speeds in excess of 25 knots.

The 33rd America's Cup will be held under the strict Deed of Gift rules. It is specified that the match be sailed in yachts 90 ft by 90 ft ,and so the Golden Gate Yacht Club developed their trimaran BOR (BMW Oracle Racing) 90, now USA 17, whilst the Société Nautique de Geneve have opted for a giant catamaran.

The Deed of Gift Match is decided over just three races across two course types. Races 1 and 3 will be contested over a simple upwind-downwind loop totalling 40 miles, whilst Race 2 will be 39 miles long and around an equilateral triangle course comprising a 13 mile beat and two 13 miles reaches.

Among the Challenger and Defender crews there are many of the best sailors in the world, charged with competing with craft which have effectively brought a quantum leap in speed and technologies since the 32nd America’s Cup.

Organisation of the media and event activities for the 33rd America’s Cup will be by Consorcio Valencia 2007.
http://www.americascup.com/en/contexte/33acup/33-americas-cup-6-712
 
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Astronuc said:
Alighi - Société Nautique de Genève - has a racing catamaran -
http://www.americascup.com/en/acteurs/alinghi/bateau-55-857

versus the BMW Oracle Trimaran.

So yes - both (all) vessels are multi-hull. I could only find these two teams.


I guess there is one challenger against the defender.

http://www.americascup.com/en/contexte/33acup/33-americas-cup-6-712

In this kind of race there are only the two entries. It is my observation that this usually happens when the defender tries to stack the normal rules in its favor, gets everybody P.O., and then has this challenge result.

The outcome is that it simply drags out the interval between the traditional (legitimate?) challenges, and can result in a change in venue and defender.

KM
 
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