View source for NZL 82

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox Americas Cup Yacht
| title        = NZL 82
| image        = Nzl8281.jpg
| caption      = ''NZL 82'' (behind) and ''NZL 81'' docked in harbor
| club         = {{yachtclub|Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron}}
| nat          = {{flagcountry|NZL|civil|}}
| ac_year      = 2003
| type         = 
| class        = [[International America's Cup Class]]
| sailno        = NZL–82
| designer     = [[Tom Schnackenberg]], [[Clay Oliver]] & [[Mike Drumond]]
| builder      = Cookson Boatbuilders<br />[[Auckland]], New Zealand
| launched     = 2002
| owner        = Team New Zealand
| skip         = [[Dean Barker (yachtsman)|Dean Barker]]
| crew         =
| wins         = 2004 Louis Vuitton Acts
| fate         =
| displacement = {{convert|27.550|t|abbr=on}}
| length       ={{convert|24.07|m|abbr=on}} (LOA)<br />{{convert|18.28|m|abbr=on}} (LWL)
| beam         ={{convert|4.11|m|abbr=on}}
| height        ={{convert|33.50|m|abbr=on}}
| draft        ={{convert|3.96|m|abbr=on}}
| sail         = {{convert|306|m2|abbr=on}}
| notes        =
}}

'''''NZL 82''''' was a 2003-generation [[International America's Cup Class]] racing yacht. Raced by defenders [[Team New Zealand]] in the [[2003 America's Cup]] match, she was defeated 5–0 by challenger [[Alinghi]] ([[List of IACC yachts|''SUI 64'']]).

== Design ==
After the successful 2000 defence in [[Auckland]], many senior [[Team New Zealand]] members were lured to richer syndicates and their challenges for the [[2003 America's Cup]]. Most notable among these departures were those of [[Russell Coutts]] and [[Brad Butterworth]] to Swiss challengers Alinghi. These departures resulted in a lack of senior leadership at Team New Zealand, which along with a relative lack of funds, caused the team to resort to radical design innovations in an attempt to defend the cup with raw boat speed alone.

''NZL 82'' was notable for her design innovations. The most controversial of these was the so-called "HULA" (Hull Appendage) – a flat appendage attached to the afterbody of the hull designed to increase waterline length<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-10 |title=New Zealand's hopes will sail on NZL-82 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/sailing/americas-cup/new-zealands-hopes-will-sail-on-nzl-82/OGZXYUA67M2AAGTUIPN2SCXHWY/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> (and therefore speed) without increasing the overall length of the boat. Another radical innovation was the keel bulb, which at approximately {{convert|7|m}} in length, was over {{convert|2|m}} longer than its competitors of the time.

==Career==
=== America's Cup ===
''NZL 82'' was used in [[Team New Zealand]]'s [[2003 America's Cup]] defence. She was completely ineffective, losing 0–5 to challenger Alinghi. The defeat was largely due to ''NZL 82''{{'}}s lack of reliability.

The first race was sailed in a stiff breeze and choppy seas. ''NZL 82'' retired due to multiple gear failures in the rigging and the low cockpit unexpectedly taking onboard large quantities of water.  The end of the [[Boom (sailing)|boom]] snapped off due to increased stress caused by the weight of water in the boat. In addition the [[headsail]] pulled out of the groove in the forestay foil, damaging it and preventing a new [[sail]] from being hoisted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-15 |title=Team NZ lick wounds after day of destruction |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/sailing/americas-cup/team-nz-lick-wounds-after-day-of-destruction/GKYBIJ6NNN3YQHYCRQWKGXKX3U/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

Race 4 was sailed in strong winds and rough seas and ''NZL 82''{{'}}s [[Mast (sailing)|mast]] snapped on the third leg causing retirement. On the third leg in race 5, ''NZL 82'' broke a [[spinnaker pole]].

Alinghi's ''SUI 64'' proved to be quicker and more reliable. {{Citation needed |reason=No information to support SUI 64 being quicker |date=July 2013}}

=== 2004–06 Louis Vuitton Acts  ===
''NZL 82'' was subsequently refined and competed in the [[Louis Vuitton Acts]] which were used as the build-up to the [[2007 America's Cup]].  ''NZL 82'' won the 2004 Louis Vuitton Season.

=== 2007–08 use ===
{{Update|section header|inaccurate=y|date=April 2012}}
''NZL 82'' along with ''NZL 81'' are both currently in [[Cabo San Lucas]], Mexico.  The boats, now owned and operated by Cabo Adventures, are set up so that the public has the opportunity to race the yachts off the Gulf of California / Pacific Ocean areas near Cabo San Lucas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cabo-adventures.com/ |title=Home |website=cabo-adventures.com}}</ref>

Both yachts have had engines installed for commercial use.  Heavier duty sails have also been purchased and installed which will last much longer than the lighter, racing sails used in America's Cup racing.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{America'sCup}}
{{America's Cup Yachts}}

[[Category:International America's Cup Class yachts]]
[[Category:America's Cup defenders]]
[[Category:Team New Zealand]]
[[Category:2000s sailing yachts]]
[[Category:Sailing yachts built in New Zealand]]
[[Category:2003 America's Cup]]