Aquamagic and AC 37 – 2024
Initially, Aquamagic were asked to prep and drive the camera boat from AC 36 for the preliminary regattas in Villanova and Jeddah for AC 37. This was done successfully before the call came to ask if we would take on the America's Cup Event (ACE) role of On-Water Operations Director for the AC 37. This role involved Phil Salthouse taking on the organisation of all the on-water assets and staff to run them for the entire AC 37 regattas.
Based in Barcelona for the duration of the events, we oversaw the deployment and control of all the boundary marks, race marks, TV boats, four prototype hydrogen boats, race committee boat and the numerous tasks assigned to all these craft. We even had a floating car!! In the end, 135 races were run without a hitch thanks to a large and dedicated team working under Phil’s supervision.
AC 36 – 2021
Aquamagic was contracted to fitout and prepare the repurposed ETNZ 2017 test boat as a full-blown camera vessel for filming AC36 in Auckland. The main structural changes were carried out prior to our involvement which involved the creation of a cabin and deck structure, additional hull buoyancy to carry outboards and the adding of fuel tanks and electrical systems.
Once this was complete, we took over the fabrication and installation of camera mounts, seating for the cameraman and the electrical systems to run all of this. Phil then carried on to undertake the role of spotter which ensures the safe operation of the boat in and around the race yachts and spectators.
AC 35 – 2017
Phil Salthouse of Aquamagic Yachts, Emirates Team New Zealand Project Manager, at Southern Spars
Aquamagic Yachts were asked by Emirates Team New Zealand to provide project management services for the build of their AC 50 race yacht at Southern Spars for the 2017 America's Cup. Aquamagic Yachts was ETNZ’s onsite representative at Southern Spars ensuring that drawings were delivered on time, correct materials used and recorded accurately so that the finished boat was class compliant in all respects. Aquamagic Yachts also kept track of expenditure and schedule to ensure the boat was delivered to Emirates Team New Zealand on time and on budget.
Aquamagic Yachts spent a lot of time on site at Southern Spars, particularly at critical points in the build, to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. America's Cup yachts are at the very cutting edge of technology and ETNZ was always looking to use that technology to create the fastest boat possible. Everyone was on a mission to create the best possible platform to enable the sailing team to be competitive in Bermuda.
As always, it was a balance between pushing the design to the last possible moment while allowing enough time to build it and remain on schedule. Building what turned out to be the fastest yacht at the 35th America's Cup was no different, but everyone managed to make it happen and the team then went on to create history and bring the America’s Cup back to New Zealand.
