McConaghy Boats Powers the 37th America’s Cup with Groundbreaking Vessels
McConaghy Boats is proud to be the exclusive builder of the state-of-the-art vessels propelling the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup to new heights. As the official supplier for this prestigious event, McConaghy has crafted two revolutionary boats, designed by Emirates Team New Zealand that set a new standard in the sailing world: the AC40 and the Chase Zero.
AC40: The Future of Competitive Sailing
McConaghy Boats has built the AC40, a cutting-edge monohull foiling yacht designed by Emirates Team New Zealand specifically for the America’s Cup UniCredit Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup competitions.
- Advanced Foiling Capabilities: The AC40 inherits the technological innovations of the AC75, featuring advanced foiling technology that enables the yacht to achieve remarkable speeds while maintaining stability and control. This innovation ensures a thrilling, high-performance sailing experience capable of reaching top speeds up to 50 knots and sail at 3 x times the speed of the wind.
- Lightweight and Robust Construction: The AC40 benefits from McConaghy’s expertise in composite materials, resulting in a vessel that is both incredibly strong and exceptionally light. This design not only enhances performance but also contributes to the sustainability of the yacht.
- A Vision for the Future: The AC40 is not just an extraordinary sailing yacht; it is a symbol of the future of sailing. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the water, Emirates Team New Zealand and McConaghy continue to lead the industry in performance-driven innovation.
Chase Zero: A milestone in marine innovation
Chase Zero is a revolutionary hydrogen-powered, high-speed foiling catamaran designed by Emirates Team New Zealand and expertly constructed by McConaghy. This vessel represents a quantum leap in marine technology, combining unprecedented speed, efficiency, and sustainability.
- Hydrogen-Powered performance: Chase Zero is the world’s first hydrogen-powered foiling catamaran, capable of reaching speeds over 50 knots. Its advanced propulsion system, featuring twin 80kW hydrogen fuel cells, ensures zero emissions while maintaining top-tier performance.
- Cutting-Edge foiling technology: Derived from the advanced foiling mechanisms used in Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC75 racing yachts, Chase Zero offers minimal wake and efficient water displacement, making it both environmentally friendly and a powerhouse on the water.
- Unmatched durability and lightweight construction: McConaghy integrated full carbon, Nomex, and structural foam materials into the build, ensuring the vessel’s durability while keeping it exceptionally lightweight - a hallmark of McConaghy’s craftsmanship.
The fleet of hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats serve as high-speed support vessels for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, which marks a significant breakthrough in the marine industry, setting new benchmarks for speed, sustainability, and performance.
Key highlights and industry firsts
- AC40: A groundbreaking monohull foiling yacht that redefines competitive sailing with its advanced foiling technology and lightweight construction.
- Chase Zero: The first commercially available hydrogen-powered high-speed foiling catamaran, showcasing advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emission performance.
Statements from key partners
- Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand: "Chase Zero and the AC40 embody our relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainability. Designed by Emirates Team New Zealand, these vessels are a testament to what can be achieved when industry leaders collaborate towards a common goal.”
- Mark Evans, CEO of McConaghy Boats: "We are immensely proud to be the builders of both the AC40 and the 5 hydrogen powered foiling chase boats for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. These projects highlight McConaghy’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in marine engineering."
- Tatsuya Ishikawa, acting CEO of Toyota New Zealand: "Toyota is committed to advancing hydrogen technology. Chase Zero showcases the potential of hydrogen power in marine applications, paving the way for a sustainable future.”
- Mitja Schulz, CEO Gurit: "Our advanced composites have played a crucial role in ensuring Chase Zero’s performance and durability. We are excited to be part of this pioneering project.”
- Brad Glosson, CEO Global Bus Ventures: "This project marks a significant milestone in hydrogen-powered marine vessels, and we are thrilled to contribute our expertise to such an innovative endeavor.”
About McConaghy Boats
McConaghy Boats is a world leader in high-performance yacht building, with 57 years of experience combining innovative design with state-of-the-art technologies and composite materials. Known for their expertise in carbon fiber construction, McConaghy has built some of the fastest and most advanced racing yachts in the world. As the official supplier for the 37th America’s Cup, McConaghy Boats continues to lead the industry in crafting bespoke, cutting-edge vessels for discerning clients.
Conclusion
The successful launch of the AC40 and the hydrogen powered foiling chase boats at the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup marks a pioneering benchmark in the global marine industry, setting new standards for speed, performance, and sustainability. These vessels not only highlight the potential of advanced marine technology but also inspire future advancements in clean, high-performance sailing.
McConaghy Boats offers custom builds of hydrogen powered foiling chase boats to meet specific client needs. Further details and customization options are available upon request at www.mcconaghyboats.com