As America’s Cup yachts have gotten faster and faster over the past decade with the introduction and further development of hydrofoils, the performance capabilities required of chase boats have also increased in hand. During the 2021 America’s Cup, the foiling monohull yachts used in the match races and preliminary regatta reached speeds up to 53 knots (60 mph). During the event, Emirates Team New Zealand’s primary chase boat was a 45-foot catamaran powered by four 300-horsepower V6 Yamaha outboard motors.
The Chase Zero is able to meet the same performance requirements with hydrogen power. The prototype motorboat is fitted with two 220-kilowatt (295 hp) electric motors. To compensate for the over 50 percent deficit in power relative to the previous chase boat, the Chase Zero utilizes hydrofoils like the boat it chases to fly over the water’s surface, reducing drag and increasing efficiency.
Chase boats are part pit crew and part emergency response team. These motorboats follow the racing yachts during races and are the first to respond if there is a crash, capsize or mechanical failure. The chase boats are also used to service the yachts between each race during the day, as well as tow the team’s race boat from and to shore at the start and end of each day’s session.
https://jalopnik.com/an-americas-cup-team-is-developing-a-hydrogen-chase-boa-1848801881
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