What Yacht Syndicates Will Need

It will take more than just an ocean and wind to present the next America’s Cup defense.

The next host city must provide facilities for the 25 or more syndicates that are expected to compete from around the world.

Shelter Island boat builder Jerry Driscoll last week suggested that a typical syndicate would require at least half an acre and 100 feet or more of dock space. Other boatyard owners suggested that a free-spending syndicate could demand an acre or more and even more dock space.

Newport Harbor’s unsuccessful Eagle syndicate created a self-sufficient facility in Fremantle for $500,000, according to Driscoll, the syndicate’s general manager. That bought Eagle the basics needed to mount a Cup challenge--a dock big enough to handle three or more boats; temporary office, repair and storage buildings; a fence to secure the compound, and water and electric lines.

Driscoll believes syndicates probably would spend less in San Diego because the harbor and, possibly, Mission Bay, already boast extensive dock space, boat lifts and easily accessible repair, office and storage space--as well as skilled maritime craftsmen.

“When a boat needs additional work on it, the syndicates would be close to where the work is done,” Driscoll said. “If a boat is in an accident and they need to take the mast out and replace the rigging, they’ll have some kind of (boat) yard association. We’ve got two spar makers in Southern California who made most of the masts that were used in Australia, and we’ve got lots of sail makers, so you won’t need your own sail loft.”

Driscoll hopes to accommodate one syndicate at his family-owned and -operated business on Shelter Island. He would partition off space and facilities, which would be dedicated to that syndicate.

Driscoll has played key roles in several Cup syndicates. In addition to the Eagle campaign, Driscoll helped rebuild Columbia in 1967; built and skippered Intrepid in 1974, and provided services and training for Enterprise in 1977 and Freedom in 1980.