Andrew Pace
Oracle Team USA's new boat is one of the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of over 40 knots (or 53 mph). The team broke a new speed record in 2016 while training in Bermuda, reaching 46 knots. The design of the boat is tested using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs, which can instantly predict how small changes will affect speed and manoeuvrability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 46 knots (53 mph) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Boat type | AC50 yacht |
| Boat size | Smaller than AC72 boats |
| Design | Hydrofoils |
| Design testing | Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs |
| Crew safety gear | Crash helmets and body armour |
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What You'll Learn
- Oracle Team USA's new boat broke 46 knots (53 mph)
- The boat's designer, Aaron Perry, says less drag equals more speed
- The boat's design is tested using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs
- The boat has already flipped over three times in practice races
- The crew wear crash helmets and body armour
Oracle Team USA's new boat broke 46 knots (53 mph)
The design aspects of Oracle Team USA are tested for years using "computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs. These programs can instantly predict how a small change in the rudder's trim tab or the foil's angle of attack will affect speed and manoeuvrability. The goal is to keep the boat upright and sailing fast.
Oracle Team USA designer Aaron Perry said: "You just have this little hokey stick foil section cutting through the water. Less drag equals more speed, which is why velocities have doubled since yachts started using hydrofoils."
Despite the smaller boats, this year's racers are likely to go even faster.
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The boat's designer, Aaron Perry, says less drag equals more speed
The Oracle Team USA boat has been recorded going at speeds of 46 knots, or 53 miles per hour. The boat's designer, Aaron Perry, says that less drag equals more speed. This is why velocities have doubled since yachts started using hydrofoils. In 2013, Team Emirates topped 50 miles per hour. Despite the smaller boats, this year's racers are likely to go even faster.
The design aspects of Oracle Team USA are tested for years using "computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs. The days of tank-testing hull and sail designs are long gone. Computer geeks write programs that can “instantly predict how a small change in the rudder’s trim tab or the foil’s angle of attack” will affect speed and maneuverability. The goal is to keep the boat upright and sailing fast.
The Oracle boat is so fast that "it doesn't quite feel like you're in control", according to Scott Ferguson, a lead naval architect for Oracle Team USA. Even for some of the best sailors in the world, skimming above the water at those speeds is a frightening experience. The crews wear crash helmets and body armour.
The Oracle boat has already flipped over three times in practice races. At these speeds, failure quickly becomes catastrophic. After the appendages, Scott feels “platform design”—the two hulls and the crossbeams—is the second most important element.
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The boat's design is tested using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs
The design of Oracle Team USA's boat is tested using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs. These programs can instantly predict how small changes in the rudder's trim tab or the foil's angle of attack will affect speed and manoeuvrability. The goal is to keep the boat upright and sailing fast.
CFD testing has replaced the old method of tank-testing hull and sail designs. Instead, computer programmers write code that can predict how changes will affect the boat's performance. This allows designers to optimise the boat's speed and stability.
The Oracle Team USA boat has already flipped over three times during practice races, demonstrating the importance of getting the design right. At these speeds, failure can quickly become catastrophic. The crew wears crash helmets and body armour for protection.
The boat's speed is also affected by its hydrofoil shape and control systems. Less drag equals more speed, which is why velocities have doubled since yachts started using hydrofoils. In 2013, Team Emirates topped 50 mph in a larger boat. Oracle Team USA's new AC50 yacht has broken the 46-knot (53 mph) mark, matching the speeds of the larger AC72 boats from the 2013 cup.
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The boat has already flipped over three times in practice races
The Oracle Team USA boat has been recorded reaching speeds of 46 knots, or 53 mph, in its AC50 yacht. This is an incredibly fast speed for a boat, and it is understandable that even some of the best sailors in the world would find it frightening to skim above the water at such velocity. Indeed, the Oracle boat has already flipped over three times in practice races. At these speeds, failure quickly becomes catastrophic, and the crews wear crash helmets and body armour.
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The crew wear crash helmets and body armour
The crew of the Oracle boat wear crash helmets and body armour. This is because at the speeds the boat can reach, failure can quickly become catastrophic. The boat has already flipped over three times in practice races. The Oracle Team USA boat is one of the fastest in the world, having broken 46 knots (or 53 mph) in its AC50 yacht. The team is the defender of the 2017 America's Cup, the most prestigious sailing race in the world. The boat's speed is due to its use of hydrofoils, which reduce drag and increase speed.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oracle boat can go at speeds of over 40 knots, or 53 MPH.
The Oracle boat is one of the fastest boats in the America's Cup, with speeds that have matched the larger AC72 boats from the 2013 cup.
The Oracle boat's speed is a result of its design, which includes the use of hydrofoils that reduce drag and increase speed.
The Oracle boat's speed is tested using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer programs that can predict how changes in design will affect speed and maneuverability.
Sailing at high speeds can be a frightening experience, even for experienced sailors. At these speeds, failure can quickly become catastrophic, so the crew wears crash helmets and body armour.
