AC45 Turbo

The Swedish AC challenger has gone a lot further than other teams in developing its AC62 trial horse reports Erik Simonson

Artemis Racing has recently been seen out training from their base in Alameda, California on their development AC45.

"We knew it was a weapon when it was on the drawing board, and it certainly has lived up to those expectations thus far" says Adam May, the team's Design Coordinator.  "We call it the AC45 Turbo, a scaled down version of what we think our AC62 will be."

To be clear, the AC45 Turbo is not what will be competing in the America's Cup World Series over the next two years. Those boats will all be stock AC45 one designs with the same appendages. However new since the last time they raced is that the AC45, or AC45 Fs as they are now know, will be foil-born.

At present all of the teams are using AC45s to develop new gear and design ideas for their new AC62s and over recent months we have seen BAR and Luna Rossa out on the water. However with their AC45 Turbo, Artemis Racing has gone some stages further with more fairings, wheel steering and custom cockpits and updated consoles.

So why bother with a scale model of the AC 62? "It's quite simple" says Pete Melvin of Morelli & Melvin, who assisted in writing the rule for the new AC 62'. "They can replicate the thoughts and mechanics of the intended designs at much lesser cost and get the design right before committing to the much more expensive 62."

When asked if there is an area of great importance in the wheel vs tiller for the scaled-down Turbos, he noted "the immediate feedback after rounding the weather mark, adjusting the rake and attitude of the rudder is critical. Dialing those things in will be key to the success of the crews in the bigger boats."

Artemis Racing has been taking it slow and gradual with their immersion with their new Turbo, and the crews are understandably excited every time they get to sail it. San Francisco Bay in the winter does assist in finding the 10-12 knot wind range and flat seas ideal for mimicking the conditions expected in Bermuda.

"Even in the summer time, the South Bay , which is right outside our base can offer conditions Ideal for replicating what we expect (12-18 knots) in Bermuda, and to the end we could not be happier," continues May.

The AC45 Turbo has been tested with a crew of five, and when queried with the fit of the new coamings and the crews' ability to get in and out of them while making manoeuvres, with adequate elbow room to do grinding etc, May indicates " Yes, the whole layout was well thought out in advance, and while you can't miniaturise the crew you can organize things to be efficient and fluid"

If there were any further questions as to Artemis Racing remaining in Alameda, versus say relocating to Bermuda or Sweden, the answer is yes, the Alameda Base is home. "We discussed our options when the various locations for the AC finals were being decided, and this location with the pleasant weather, large hanger and easy access to the water is fantastic. We could not be happier," says May.

When asked if they plan on any side by side testing with rivals across the bay, Oracle Team USA, May indicated that there were no solid plans at this point, and Oracle will be shipping out soon, so you just don't know if that will happen or not.

And as far as delivery date for the AC 62? "We have target windows on the schedule, but it's a moving target which will be determined by what we learn with the current testing on the AC 45 Turbo!"