Team France christened their AC45X test boat on July 11 and began sailing two weeks later. They were happy to be foiling on their first day of sailing and happy that the boat performed very close to the predictions from their simulation programs. The performance numbers from the VPP (velocity prediction program) are based on the full aerodynamic optimisation of the final race boat, which is different from this test boat. Head of design Martin Fischer notes that this boat is about 90% of the race boat – everything except the hulls will be used in the race boat – wing, foils, rudders, crossbeams and longitudinal pod.
In the photos, notice the bulbous bow shape and the splash rail on the bow, just under “Groupama.” Neither is allowed on the race boat, but they add stability to the four foot shorter test boat. Note, too, the aft fairing that extends beyond the stern of the hulls. This will be flush with the stern of the race boat’s hulls.
Team France AC45X test boat, bow on. It looks like they are testing straight daggerboards with dihedral (upward sloped) winglets. You can clearly see the spray rails on the bows.