Come on guys, the AC will never be sailed in "affordable" "fast" craft of any kind.
You only have to look at the concept behind the AC.
It's all about the ultra rich boys toys. The more it costs, the harder it is for the "rabble" to be able to participate.
It was stated many years past that, "they should bring back J class for the cup, then it could only be contested by men of substance". This of course meant that only the ultra wealthy would be able to afford to "show off", and compete tastefully with their money for all to see, and they wouldn't be hindered by "poor" upstart folk with ability “muddying” their “fun”. If it was only about sailing competitiveness, the ability of the sailors on the water, and “fairness” the dinosaurs that have always been used would all be the “fossils” that they deserve to be by now.
In years past the boats used to be sailed by a hired professional crew who actually did the “sailing”, and the owners used to occasionally be onboard with their invited friends to sip drinks, socialise, and occasionally take an interest in how well the “sweaty, lower class hired help” were doing. Nothing much has really changed has it? Except that the owners now watch from their private multi million dollar floating palaces, their private helicopters, or from their six star accommodation (the “poor” only have five star) on direct satellite, BIG screen TV.
What happened when Dennis Conner out of necessity, “whipped the butt” of the Kiwis with a cat? Did anyone in the AC fraternity say, “hey guy’s, these things really go fast, they are a lot cheaper and they are great to watch, lets adopt them for the cup”? I don’t think so. They couldn’t wait to rid themselves of all memory of the event.