Racing boat question

[yugo_76]

Hi there. Pretty new to sailing at all.

America's cup boat class question:

There are two sets of crank levers in the front and one in the middle. What are their purpose?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by yugo_76

Hi there. Pretty new to sailing at all.

America's cup boat class question:

There are two sets of crank levers in the front and one in the middle. What are their purpose?

You need a picture to illustrate the specific America’s Cup boat class and the objects that you’re trying to find out about.

If old style (12m or the original America’s Cup Class brought in for the 92 cup and through the 2007 edition, then you’re probably referring to “coffee grinders”, used to turn winches for sail handling.

If you mean the current foiling monohull class, which control levers do you mean?

[yugo_76]

The one I saw has two forward. You operate them facing the bow. One next to the other. The third one is in the middle and when used the person is either facing starboard or port. I was just wondering which sails each one operates.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by yugo_76

The one I saw has two forward. You operate them facing the bow. One next to the other. The third one is in the middle and when used the person is either facing starboard or port. I was just wondering which sails each one operates.

Have you considered Googling "AC Cup boat running rigging?"

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by yugo_76

The one I saw has two forward. You operate them facing the bow. One next to the other. The third one is in the middle and when used the person is either facing starboard or port. I was just wondering which sails each one operates.

If you’re referring to 12m or gen1 AC Class boats coffee grinders, they can all be linked to a single winch, eg the new genoa sheet during a tack, or each grinder can control a different winch (eg mainsheet, spinnaker sheet, spinnaker guy, or a halyard).

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by fxykty

If you’re referring to 12m or gen1 AC Class boats coffee grinders, they can all be linked to a single winch, eg the new genoa sheet during a tack, or each grinder can control a different winch (eg mainsheet, spinnaker sheet, spinnaker guy, or a halyard).

I’d always thought they were hydraulic pumps to drive the winches?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

I’d always thought they were hydraulic pumps to drive the winches?

I’m not sure about the later years on the AC Class boats, but on the 12m and Gen 1 boats they were gear driven. The deck head under the cockpit area is a maze of shafts, sprockets and gears transferring human power to the winches. No stored energy was allowed. More recently hydraulic systems have replaced the mechanical systems, with human power building pressure in the system and valves directing it to the winches.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by fxykty

I’m not sure about the later years on the AC Class boats, but on the 12m and Gen 1 boats they were gear driven. The deck head under the cockpit area is a maze of shafts, sprockets and gears transferring human power to the winches. No stored energy was allowed. More recently hydraulic systems have replaced the mechanical systems, with human power building pressure in the system and valves directing it to the winches.

Thanks for the clarification