CheeseZilla sets sail today

Over on the SA AC forum there are pictures. I don't want to deal with the 100kb limit on images over here.

Mast is really stumpy...

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=93066&st=350&start=350

They flew a hull, and tried their gennaker. I follow @alinghifriends on twitter, they posted quite a lot of pics today...

How did they lose the top 3rd of the mast? Man it sure does look short.

ugh. How do avoid the need to take a shower every 30 seconds?

I follow it because I'm actually interested to see how this thing sails and that is so far the most reliable source for timely pictures.

oh I understand...

its just that I'd feel dirty for doing it willingly :P

Anybody knows how to embed flash on this board?

Today's official pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alinghiteam/sets/72157621751260830/show/

I like the funky daggerboards! On the SA forums you can see interesting analysis of them:

I posted a question about those on the a-cat forum. I wonder if you will see an a-class builder experiment with something down these lines?

weight of the cb case mechanism could be an issue as well as lost bouyancy in the case.

what happens when you hit the board with your face during a pitchpole?

The same that would happen if the board was straight.

I guess you're right.. but it does look kind of like a scythe

I think you would either have to be thrown almost straight upward (and still have forward momentum) and somehow come down on the boats hull (board area) ...

OR

you would have to be thrown UNDER the cat

Its more likely to happen durring a regular capsize (sideways) as someone jumps/falls of the high hull (i would think)

Wanted!

First decent quality video, it does look like it has a lot of rocker though:

Whats with all that turbulence on the lee hull?

Isn't that normal really?, have you looked at yours when sailing upwind flying a hull?
IMHO the rig is just really pushing down on that hull.
On SA they are saying it has 700L of water ballast in the rear, don't know if that is true though.

Maybe the sterns will be added later, that would explain the hollow transoms...

Who was that steering the boat?

I was gonna say, "they not only forgot the drain plugs.. they forgot the transoms"

Looks alot like Andrew Landensberger sterring.could be wrong????
Let me know if you find out who it is.

Fred

Probably more than transoms only.

The size limits are 90ft beam and 90ft static waterline, overhangs not included.

I tend to think that the fastest configuration within those limits would be a 90ft beam cat measuring about 180ft overall: 90ft waterline, about 45ft of stem overhang and about 45ft of stern overhang. The length/beam ratio of 180/90 follow the time tested 2/1 proportion used in almost all beach cats.

If the weight doesn't permit the combination of overhangs that long with a relatively short waterline body, the overhangs would be made shorter and curved foils would help with pitchpole resistance.

Looking forward for Alinghi 2.0!

Remember that EB doesn't have as deep of pockets as Larry does. Last time I checked, EB was worth about 2.2B USD, and Larry, well, about 80B.

Not saying that we wont see Alinghi 2.0, but LE could really go off the deepend with his boats - the only thing that limits him is time.

Right, I should have written "looking forward for the next boat/development", it doesn't really matter WHO does it. I'm kind of indiferent to the result of the match.

It is other things that excite me: Seeing both beasts sailing is a dream! We will not see rigs that powerfull anytime soon. And the S foils technology may be THE solution for foiling cats.

Paint the following draft with whatever color you like.

Cheers!

Cool pic:

http://twitpic.com/c8qaf/full

According to the latest court ruling using an engine for non-propulsion purposes is allowed.

You're about to see the most giant radio-controlled sailboats ever...

DogZilla flying two hulls in how much wind? 10-12 knots maybe?
http://bmworacleracing.com/en/interactive/videos_2009/testingbor90.html

Tony, as a European, who do you want to win the cup?

My opinion on the Swiss is quite neutral (no pun intended!)
Unlike the USA there is not really a European identity, so I'm not automatically cheering for the Swiss team or anything.
In quite a lot of EU countries people dont speak english that well which makes communication very difficult (not sure about Swiss, only drove through it a couple of times).
Too be completly honest I think both EB and LE are pricks with too much cash than is probably good for them, I just hope that the best sailors and engineers will win.

With a title sponsor of BMW there are not a whole lot of Americans who even know (or care) THAT is the American boat!

I agree, two rich guys banging heads, should be fun to watch though, and means absolutely nothing in the big picture.

Can you imagine the growth of the sport if they put that money into developing more community sailing centers instead?

+1

Only care about the boats, technology and "wow factor".

Timbo: Means nothing in the big picture? I somewhat disagree, if BMW manages to win, a LOT will change. If Alinghi wins, you'll likely see changes so this type of challenge debacle doesn't happen to them again.

Mike

The AC is a challenge to see who is willing to spend more. This will not change.

Zactly.

Thanks Luiz.

Awesome video from Alingi showing the helilift, great music as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxr9EVMJLxs


What do you guys think about the chosen location in the UAE?
Finding a decent location in February isn't an easy task I guess.

Quite easy, just go to the southern hemisphere, as the deed requires. There are lots of great options available in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina...

I prefer the following:

Low pressure venue - Rio, Brasil
Great conditions- Buzios, Brasil

Only 90 miles distance between them.

Where are they taking it?

Flew it over the Alps to Genoa.

Final destination is RAK, one of the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYwU9uxc9qY