The new America's Cup Class Rule specifies a modern, light weight, fast monohull sloop somewhere between an IOR Maxi and an ULDB. The performance of the boat will be highly sensitive to weight, thus there is a premium on optimization of the structure. The structural section of the rule calls for a thin skin sandwich laminate with minimum skin and core thicknesses and densities, as well as maximum core thickness, fiber modulus, and laminate cure temperatures. This paper presents the initial phases of material selection, structural analysis and design, and manufacturing engineering in the development of a competitive America's Cup Class Yacht.

Keywords:
laminate cure temperature, material selection, construction, core thickness, maximum core thickness, cup class yacht, cup class rule, honeycomb core, hull form, structural design
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1991. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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