Persico is based near Bergamo, but builds the Cat 72 at its new site in La Spezia. Here too, carbon prepregs are laminated around Nomex cores in a sandwich construction, as for the Imoca 60 "Linked Out" or Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's AC75 . The 22 metre long and 9.50 metre wide twin hull will have a boom and rotating mast from Southern Spars in New Zealand. Similar to the AC75 boats, the rig can be rotated by up to 45 degrees.
To get the 20-tonne cat "flying", i.e. hovering 20 centimetres above the surface of the water, the leeward seven-metre foil is extended from 9 knots of wind - in addition to the centreboard and rudder with T-foils. In 13 knots of wind, the Cat 72 should glide along at a good 20 knots, with maximum performance of 40 knots downwind and 26 knots upwind.
Automatic flight control at 40 knots
Morrelli & Melvin used the Gomboc simulation software, which had already been used for the New Zealand America's Cup, to develop the hydrofoils. The US design office entered the international sailing stage with the "Stars & Stripes" catamaran, which led Dennis Conner to the America's Cup in the 1988 Mis-Match. The Gomboc Flight Control System adapts the angle of attack of the wings to the sea conditions and thus automatically adjusts the flight altitude.
For the Cat 72, Morrelli & Melvin optimised the system so that the foils can be completely retracted when they are not needed. Two electric motors from Torqeedo (Deep Blue, 25 kW each) push the 22-metre cat through lulls at eight knots. Solar panels are also to be installed on the deckhouse for completion next year.
