America’s Cup Racing Boats to be Built in Rhode Island

New York Yacht Club American Magic (American Magic), the U.S. sailing team challenging for the 36th America’s Cup, plans to open a dedicated construction facility and build two AC75 class racing boats in Bristol, Rhode Island. The return of America’s Cup design, building and sailing activity to Rhode Island is expected to strengthen the local marine industry and attract additional design and engineering talent to the state.

The AC75 class boat is a new design for the 2021 event. It is a 75-foot mono-hulled boat that uses advanced hydrofoils to sail largely above the water. The competing boats will race with a crew of 11 sailors each.

In addition to opening a dedicated America’s Cup boatbuilding facility, American Magic intends to enlist several Rhode Island marine and engineering companies, and recruit some of the world’s top international engineering and boatbuilders to the state.

“Our boatbuilding team is looking forward to working on and supporting the American Magic AC75 build projects,” said Tom Rich, co-owner of New England Boatworks. “Our experience working on state-of-the-art projects like the “Bella Mente” yachts will allow us to manufacture key elements of the new Cup boats, which will undergo final assembly in Bristol.”

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The America’s Cup competition will be held March 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand.