BRISTOL – In anticipation of the 36th America’s Cup race, plans to build two racing vessels and a Bristol-based construction facility by Manhattan-based New York Yacht Club American Magic were announced in a statement by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association Thursday.
“With its unmatched marine industry, skilled workforce, and rich America’s Cup heritage,” Hap Fauth, American American Magic’s team principal and CEO, said in a statement, “there is no better place to build world-class racing boats than in Rhode Island.”
For local resident Andy Tyska, who also serves as both a RIMTA board member and member of the Bristol Town Council, the decision by American Magic to construct their vessels in Rhode Island, “is a real vote of confidence in the Rhode Island marine industry.”
The boats being built will be AC75s – 75-foot mono-hulled boats relying on advanced hydrofoils to sail mostly above water – represent a new design for the upcoming race. Multiple Rhode Island-based marine trade firms will be involved in their construction.
These vessels will race with 11-person crews each and testing of the vessels will take place in Narragansett Bay before the 2021 start of the next competition.
He added that a multi-year construction timeline will “have a positive economic impact on our area and help expose Rhode Island’s world-class composite and marine technology capabilities to audiences around the world.”
Prior to the Thursday announcement, Fauth constructed two vessels at the New England Boatworks in Portsmouth with a third currently underway at the facility as well.
Tom Rich, co-owner of New England Boatworks, said in a statement he and his team are “looking forward to working on and supporting the American Magic AC75 build projects.”
A conglomeration of Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club American Magic was formed in October 2017 and is 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The upcoming America’s Cup race will commence in March 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
