Design Secrets
During preparations for the 1988 America’s Cup, an innovative American yacht called the Stars and Stripes 88 was built using a twin-hulled catamaran with a carbon fiber keel. This was the first time such a design had ever been entered in the America’s Cup. By having two thin hulls instead of a large one, drag on the boat was substantially reduced. However, arguments over the design rules with the New Zealand team led to a lengthy court case. But eventually the American team won (both the case and the race). Today, the boats are bigger in size (26 meters), and teams still refuse to give away their secrets.