KZ1 (yacht)

__NOTOC__The "KZ1" yacht was a 1988 America's Cup challenger from New Zealand.

KZ1, designed by Bruce Farr, was skippered by David Barnes along with a crew of 40 from the Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga. The KZ1 was given the nickname of the "Big Boat" or "Big Beauty" by financial backer, Sir Michael Fay. Many saw the size and wide deck gave the boat a nick-name of "The aircraft carrier".

KZ1 prompted American skipper Dennis Conner to build a catamaran "Stars & Stripes" (US-1). Conner won the challenge, but most of the battle was fought in court. The KZ1 is now on display near the maritime museum in Auckland.

pecifications

General characteristics

* Crew: 30 to 40
* Length (overall): 36.57 m (120 ft)
* Length (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 (downwind): 1,600 m² (17,300 ft²)
* Mast height: 46.78 m (153 ft 6 in)
* Displacement: 39 tons
* Hull material: Carbon fiber, Kevlar/Nomex sandwich
* Rating: Free, 90-foot LOA

Comparison

This table compares the size of KZ1 against some of her most famous large predecessors:

External links

* [http://www.americascup.com/en/acclopaedia/boatdestiny/index.php?idIndex=0&idContent=1705 America's cup Official Site description of the challenge]