SO YOU WANT TO ENTER THE AMERICA’S CUP, HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST YOU?

If you are wondering if it is expensive to enter the America’s Cup Competition, the answer is a resounding yes! Here are a few reasons why.

The Americas Cup Trophy

Spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the America’s Cup is an age-long tradition. No international sporting trophy has been more contested for as long as the America’s Cup, which every seasoned mariner and yacht clubs from across the globe most earnestly covet.

The America’s cup is a trophy bestowed upon the winner of the America’s Cup match races, a race which is typically between two sailing Yachts. This much sought-after trophy was made by London Silvermaker Garrard in 1948, two years before the 100 Pound Cup that kick started the America’s Cup and is actually a claret jacket.

Any yacht club that meets the requirements specified in the deed of gifts can challenge the yacht club that holds the cup and if the challenging club wins, it automatically gains stewardship of the cup. How cool is that!

LOGISTICS

The esteemed competition which takes place every three to four years, is quite expensive to participate in. A lot of money goes into its logistics from the cost of running a team, developing some of the most high tech boats in the world, the support crews, to sailors and infrastructure, runs to tens of millions.

Superyachts are used in this competitions with a cost range between $8 million to $10 million and most teams still have a backup boat for emergency situations. According to data presented by the Yachting World, the entry fee for the 2017 America’s Cup was $2 million per team. It has been estimated that mounting a successful campaign costs over $250 million to $300 million in defending the title in 2013.

How do you Transport Marine Boats from race to race?

Of late, the boats used for this infamous AULD LANG cannot be sailed from race to race because they are not designed for such a mileage. As such, teams normally dissemble them, re-package them and haul them on larger boats or planes. This incurs thousands of dollars to transport and insurance fees.

However, in 2017, organizers attempted to reduce costs by making competitors race with the AC45, which is 45 feet long as opposed to the AC46, which is 62 feet long. By using smaller class of boats, costs is reduce as they require smaller crew and costs less to transport.

Are these boats high-definition?

There is only one answer to that question: Yes! One thing that is certain, to win, you need to have vessels that stand out. In this case Superyachts. Each team designs its own yacht and it is no secret that every team attempts to keep its proprietary technology secret from its competitors.

While there are water safety rules and regulations for everyone to follow, every team without a doubt will be racing with high definition vessels with super speed and specifics surrounding the materials and drag-reducing technologies are kept under locks and keys, in order to take home the trophy.

What are Safety Regulations?

Although the major considerations of race teams are high racing performance and speed, certain safety regulations have to be adhered to. These regulations are put in place to guarantee the safety of all mariners in order to minimize damages and prevent deaths.

A case of reference is the ORACLE TEAM USA, elected to make the AC72, the class for the 34^th America’s which were thought to be without risks, however they capsized during the training. A similar case scenario is the Artemis Racing, which had a training accident that led to the tragic death of a crew member Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson.

How does a boat’s air conditioning system (AC) work?

Air conditioning is the treatment of air to modify the internal environment in terms of temperature, humidity and fresh air content. Air conditioning does not only cool the boat but it also helps to dehumidify it. Most sophisticated marine air conditioners have a reverse-cycle mode which provides heat during cold seasons.

Marine air conditioning is different from most land Air conditioning because it uses water cooling rather than air cooling. The availability of abundance of water and its lack of space makes water its preferred cooling option.

Types of marine air conditioners

The air conditioning processes vary according to application, from simple comfort-cooling to sophisticated total environmental control systems. The types of air conditioners for marine are: Refrigerant Types 110volt & 12 volt; which produce dry air and Evaporative Types 12volt; which produces cool air like an ocean breeze.

Refrigerant air conditioning

There are two different types of refrigerant Air Conditioning Systems available for marine use: Direct Expansion Systems and Tempered Water or Chiller Systems. Direct expansion systems are available as self-contained or split systems and are designed for mid-range boats. Whereas the Chiller Systems are designed for larger yachts.

Direct expansion self-contained

These are self-contained systems are popular for recreational vessels and can run on AC power or generator.

Chilled water systems

This is a more complicated system to install but appropriate for larger vessels. Chiller units are generally housed in machinery space and pipe run to each of the air handlers.

Potable air conditioner

You can use portable air conditioners during the summer when you own a small boat.

Other Economical types of Air Conditioners

When it is hot outside anyway of cooling down while in the boat without spending thousands of dollars is worth considering.

koolerAire

KoolAir is the economical equivalent to 12 volts, costing just hundreds of dollars which can be used both on deck and below deck. Fill up your cooler with ice and turn it into air conditioner for your boat and boosting activities. KoolAir generates its power from a car type cigarette adapter.