Another perspective.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100861027

Thank you Philip! That Slingsby video should deflate any screaming about an intent to cheat.

Mike

huh. So it seems that the reasoning behind the "symmetrical rudder is safer" is to avoid failures of the 90 degree rudder to foil joint. I can see how this would cause a major problem if this broken during a big bear away (who knows, it may have let go during Oracle's big capsize or Alingi's) and I think it adds a little merit to the point for using them.

However, I feel like I should point out that all of them are using asymmetrical dagger boards that should be seeing considerably more loading than the rudders...soo....uhhhh.errrr

What's this all-black sailing team they are speaking of? Do they have a boat? Or did some Durham-based African Americans who haven't set foot on a boat decide they needed a piece of the $100 million???

That video from Oracle certainly clears a few things up for me and makes it a little less like cheating. I had assumed the elevator attached to the rudder was movable ala Moth. Adjusting the entire rudder rake+elevator still sounds fairly illegal but their setup really seems optimized for quick testing and not necessarily speed gains while racing.

I really hope whoever wins sees the light and brings foiling AC45's to the action.

I agree, and from what little experience I have hitting things with my face (thanks Karl), getting sliced up by a winglet at 40 knots does not sound pleasant in the least bit.

So, could OR just move their rudder posts (i.e, the entire rudder) a little bit inboard to allow for more symmetrical winglets and not exceed max beam? Or would that screw up the steering so bad it's not worth it?

I posted on it awhile back. The NC syndicate applied for the AC as a challenger, and was denied for questionable reasons. So the denied challenger has sued in the NY courts.

Coutts comments on safety

Google: African Diaspora Maritime

I wonder if there is a rudder/hull centerline rule...otherwise, that sure is a thought.

Awesome. Can't wait to see what's next. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Why bother? He said their most recent symmetrical rudder wing is compliant.

Now this just impresses the hell out of me. That's some serious laminate engineering.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that testing the load in the wrong direction?

I guess that depends if the boat is foiling or diving for the bottom.

Looks to me like they are only testing the forklift arms.

-Rob V.

I'm sure very, very few people ever imagined a winged keel (AUS in Newport), let alone foiling a 72-foot boat of any kind, let alone a cat in the America's Cup. Makes you wonder what kind of innovations are in store over the next 30 years...

Mike

Iain Murray weighs in

No. The rudders pull the stern down to give the daggerboards an increased angle of attack so the boards will generate more lift. They also pull down in the most extreme case when the bows start getting pushed down.

Well, now I don't know who to believe. However, one would think that if they had unanimous consent, given all of the America's cup history, someone would have thought to have the teams sign something.