KZ1
The KZ1 was the New Zealand challenger in the 1988 America's Cup .
The KZ1, designed by Bruce Farr , was sailed by David Barnes with a 40-man crew from the Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga . Because of its size, the KZ1 was nicknamed the Big Boat or because of the unusual deck aircraft carrier . The boat was financed by the New Zealand banker Sir Michael Fay . The boat was and is possibly the fastest monohull sailboat.
The idea behind this unusual design was to challenge the American cup defenders with a unique design and to prevent potential competitors from emerging. The usual construction of America's Cup yachts since 1958 followed the 12-meter class . The draft of the KZ1, on the other hand, was based on the maximum values set out in the Deed of Gift , the basic rules of the America's Cup. Since the challenged American skipper Dennis Conner did not have time to develop a boat of the same size, it was decided to build a catamaran . At first it was questionable whether a multihull boat was even allowed.
As expected, Dennis Conner's catamaran Stars & Stripes won the 27th America's Cup against the KZ1.
There were extensive legal disputes before and after the race, in the course of which the New Zealanders were initially awarded the trophy despite the defeat in the race, but ultimately lost it again on appeal.
The KZ1 is now on display in front of the National Maritime Museum in Auckland .
specification
- Crew: 30 to 40
- Length over all: 36.57 m (120 ft)
- Length (on the waterline): 27.43 m (90 ft)
- Beam: 8.07 m (26 ft 6 in)
- Draft: 6.40 m (21 ft)
- Sail area (upwind): 627 m² (6749 ft²)
- Sail area (before the wind): 1,600 m² (17,300 ft²)
- Mast height: 46.78 m (153 ft 6 in)
- Displacement: 39 tons
- Hull material: CFRP , Kevlar / Nomex sandwich
- Class: Free, 90-foot LOA
comparison
This table compares the size of the KZ1 to some of its most famous great predecessors:
| Surname | Year | Length over all | Length on the waterline | Sail area | Mast height | displacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance | 1903 | 43.89 m | 27.43 m | 1.501 m² | 67.05 m | 189 tons |
| ranger | 1937 | 41.15 m | 26.51 m | 701 m² | 46.98 m | 166 tons |
| KZ1 | 1988 | 36.57 m | 27.43 m | 627 m² | 46.78 m | 39 tons |
