Walking around your average boat show, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of tie up between the ‘marine industry’ and the small segment which is yacht-racing, but there should be. In fact, as many partners of top yacht racing teams know, there are all kinds of service offerings that top-class sports teams need.
It’s almost impossible to imagine the modern-day sport of sailing without RIBs. The rigid (hulled) inflatable boat has evolved a long way from the ‘rubber-duck’ that surf lifesavers popularised, now boasting exotic materials like carbon fibre and mind blowing power to weight ratios that are required to keep up with modern day racing yachts. Some even have bow-thrusters!
For those who are into boat-porn – ORACLE Racing’s latest partnership deal is strewn with technical jargon that should keep you happy for a while. For those who want the executive summary – Naiad Inflatables of Newport will construct four support vessels for the Defender and get official supplier status.
The hull designs for all the new ORACLE Racing vessels originate from Naiad Design, LTD of New Zealand. Naiad RHIBs have been used by America’s Cup teams since the monohull event of 1992 in San Diego.
The new boats don’t need to go far offshore, but they do need to be fast. And because this cup is all about the technology rather than the people, they are kitted out with every toy you might ever want, while maintaining the Cup’s commitment to sustainability.
For example:
ORACLE Racing’s pair of AC72 tenders are a new 12.9-meter stepped-hull design developed in conjunction with US engine manufacturer, Cummins Marine Diesel… Utilizing twin Cummins QSB 5.9-liter, 480 HP marine diesels coupled to Mercury Racing’s new NXT1 diesel stern-drives…, these 50+ knot vessels are the core of ORACLE Racing’s support fleet. The QSB drives offer the latest in American diesel technology providing outstanding fuel economy and ultra low emissions, certified to EPA Tier 2.
Designed specifically for towing and race support of the AC72s, which will be launched this summer, the Naiad RHIBs are fitted with the B&G Zeus12 MFD, combined with B&G Broadband 4G radar and structurscan, to ensure that ORACLE Racing has the very latest in marine electronics technology. 4G radar was selected as it has the lower emissions than a cell phone.
These vessels also feature hydraulic bow thrusters, cuddy cabins with storage and head facilities, and seating for six crew. Crew connection points will be provided for laptops and equipment. Integrated crew communications systems and shock mitigating seating systems are being considered.
