Sailing enthusiasts can finally get their hands on a piece of exclusive America’s Cup technology.
Ever since it burst onto the sailing scene in late 2022, the AC40 has quickly been gaining momentum as the yacht of choice for premier sailing competitions. Built by manufacturer McConaghy to a single design, with foils and systems by Emirates Team New Zealand, the innovative vessel has been deployed as a training boat by all the senior teams in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, as well as featuring in the first two preliminary regattas in Vilanova i La Geltrú, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Until now, the revolutionary foiling yacht has mostly been used by competitive sailors. Yet that’s all about to change thanks to McConaghy, which is making the technology available to private owners for the very first time.
The AC40 is said to be the world’s fastest production sailing boat, outpacing its rivals by reaching velocities more than triple the wind speed and surpassing 50 knots at its peak. It offers an electrifying sailing adventure complete with advanced electronics and automated control systems—even to sailors without elite-level experience.
Plus, with lithium-powered hydraulics and an auto-pilot system that maintains stable flight, sailors can focus purely on speed and tactics. It’s no surprise, then, that the AC40 will also be raced by the teams competing in the upcoming UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
“The AC40 is really unlike any other boat I’ve sailed,” says Hannah Diamond, AC40 trimmer on board GBR Athena Pathway, competing in the Puig Women’s event. “The boat reaches 40 knots effortlessly, and you soon feel at home reaching those speeds from the comfort of your seat. The hydraulic trim controls mean you have total control of the sail shape at the touch of a button, and the unique set-up with two drivers and two trimmers separated by the mainsail is a new and fun challenge to ensure you are working as one group.”
If you want to be the first to have your slice of America’s Cup history, you’d better be quick. Earlier this year, the AC40 Class Association received its inaugural build-slot deposit from private owners, while confirming it also had four expressions of interest from current AC40 teams who have voiced their intentions to race with one or both of their AC40s.
If its popularity carries on growing at its current speed, we expect there will be plenty more where that came from.
