Overview

Designed by Sparkman & Stephens ENTERPRISE was built at Minneford Boat Yard to vie as a defender for the America’s Cup in 1977.   Developed and optimized under the leadership of Lowell North, she sailed as the ‘trial horse’ for FREEDOM in her quest and ultimate success in winning the America’s Cup in 1980.

Following a number of years in Europe, initially as a ‘trial horse’ within Italian and French challenges for the America’s Cup and several years as a ‘cruiser/racer’, ENTERPRISE returned to the US in 2007.

In 2016 a client approached the Sparkman & Stephens office searching for an S&S designed 12 Metre built in the US, with the potential to win.  ENTERPRISE was the perfect ‘fit,’ particularly as according history or folklore: she missed out on being defender of the Americas Cup in 1980 by the  ‘flip of a coin.’

The owner handed Sparkman & Stephens a revised brief; “The goal is to win the 2019 12 Metre World Championship to be held off Newport, RI.”

 The project commenced in July of 2017.  Following the removal of her ‘cruising interior’, including engine, machinery and plumbing, she was measured in the water as per the 12 Metre Rule.  From there every item of hardware was removed and the hull re-faired and finished.  A thorough examination of her construction was undertaken followed by a laser scan of the hull, interior and appendages. From those scans 3D models were created to facilitate extensive design studies, which included:

• Weight tracking throughout project
• Cockpit layout optimization, design and construction
• Performance analysis of multiple rudder and bustle options
• Performance analysis of multiple keel and trim tab options
• Performance analysis of rig and sails by North Sails
• Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) calculations performed throughout studies to find optimum solutions
• RANS-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of individual components
• CFD analysis of complete hydrodynamic and aerodynamic package (including new weights, appendages, sail plan and sails.

Following months of reviewing data the decision was made to cast a new keel, build a new rudder and trim tab.  Orders were placed for a new mast, deck hardware package including coffee grinders and hydraulic system. The schedule calls for ENTERPRISE to be launched for measuring at the beginning of September 2018. 

ENTERPRISE has been a “passion project” for this owner.  An avid yachtsman who has restored three significant yachts in the past decade he was impressed by the history and potential of ENTERPRISE.   Her optimization and refit has been conducted with the same high standards of quality and attention to detail.   After the multi-year restoration of a 1929 ‘classic’ he is enjoying the fruits of that cost and labor racing in Maine with the European Classic Series slated for next year.  Similarly the ongoing refinement and optimization of his Super-Yacht for the 2019 Caribbean Series is seeking attention.  Meanwhile, cruising on his 72’ modern day (1993) classic provides quality time away from the racecourse.   With  limited room for another major racing campaign ENTERPRISE is being offered for sale.

Documentation is available reflecting total expenditure of approximately $1.5m.  The asking price of $800K reflects the owners earnest wish to see ENTERPRISE under new stewardship and attain the originally stated goal.  “Win the 2019 World Championship”

Electronics

Enterprise has been fitted with a full B&G H5000 racing electronics system with Grand Prix processor. Electronics hardware includes:

-4x - 20/20 Displays

-5x - H5000 GFDs

-2x - 10/10 Displays

-Toughbook PC w/Expedition

-Pepwave router

Rigging & Sails

A full grand-prix running rigging package has been completed for Enterprise

Deck & Hardware

Central to Enterprise's full racing optimization was the development of a brand new racing deck layout. In the Fall of 2017, Sparkman & Stephens studied and designed a maximum-efficiency cockpit for the boat within the scope of the updated 12 Metre class rules for layout. 

As part of the ongoing refit, a full Harken racing package of deck hardware and hydraulics were ordered for the boat, including: 

Winches:

Primaries x2: Harken 1111 Carbon Fiber - Pedestal Driven

Mainsheet: Harken 1111 Carbon Fiber - Pedestal Driven

Runners x2: Harken 990 Carbon Fiber - Pedestal Driven

Pit: Harken 990 Carbon Fiber - Pedestal Driven

All pedestals are Harken Carbon Fiber with the ability to drive any winch on the boat

Hardware & Blocks:

-Harken Pro-Trim Traveler system

-Harken carbon-fiber, high-speed string drop "wheel"

-Harken V-Block or Ropeye turning blocks and fairleads throughout

-Harken Big-Boat 32mm Genoa Car lead system

Hydraulics:

New Harken hydraulic rams for: Headstay, Jib Tack, Fraculator, Genoa Leads, Checkstay, Vang, Outhaul, Cunningham, Floating Tack and Deck Ram. 

Hydraulic pumps for this system include one America's Cup style pedestal powered Rotary pump for most functions, as well as one hand operated pump for each jib lead and one for the mainsail trimmer.

Specialized equipment in this system includes a 10L pressurized composite fluid reservoir and a pressure transducer linked into the headstay ram. 

Mast & Spars

For the project, Sails Spars Designs were commissioned to build a new aluminum mast, carbon-fiber boom, and carbon-fiber spinnaker pole. The mast was upgraded with three in-line spreaders and jumpers as well as a Victory '83-style mast step with mast-mounted boom vang. 

Keel & Rudder

Hull, keel, trim tab, and bustle optimizations were performed in 2017 by Sparkman & Stephens. An optimal keel and hull design was selected through extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics, RANs, and VPP testing.

Additionally, a new and fully optimized, rudder and quadrant were designed by S&S in 2018 and built by Moore Brothers/Composite Solutions Inc. in Bristol Rhode Island. 

Engines

As part of her optimization for racing, the inboard diesel engine, machinery, tankage, propeller shaft and engine controls have been removed.