American Magic on Escambia Bay: A New Chapter in Sailing

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A Strategic Move: Why Pensacola Became Home

American Magic first set sail in Pensacola Bay during the winter of 2018–2019, using the Mule (a 38-foot test boat) to train in a new environment—marking the first America’s Cup syndicate training on Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1970's . The region’s flat and protected waters, combined with consistent breezes, made it a prime setting for testing foiling monohulls.

Over time, partnerships between the team, local government, and community solidified this setup. A 10-year lease with an option for renewal secured their base at Port of Pensacola, housed in a renovated warehouse spanning over 63,000 sq. ft . Funding for this transformation totaled over $13 million, including contributions from the Triumph Gulf Coast fund ($8.5 M), Florida Job Growth Grant ($3.9 M), Florida Seaport Transportation fund ($2.6 M), and more.

Forging a High-Performance Ecosystem

Traditionally, America’s Cup teams assemble boats and train in dispersed, seasonal setups. American Magic has shifted that model by cultivating a holistic ecosystem in Pensacola—encompassing design, manufacturing, training, and talent development all under one roof.

Simulation-Driven Training

One of the most groundbreaking advances? A cutting-edge simulator rig—noticeably unseen from the dock. It replicates wind shifts, waves, hydrofoil dynamics, and cockpit controls to provide sailors with high-fidelity virtual training. This tech mirrors Formula 1’s simulator approach, allowing sailors to log hours of tactical, realistic training without stepping on deck.

Engineering & Design Excellence

The team’s design group—led by experts like Scott Ferguson, Len Imas, Pete Melvin, and Britt Ward—focuses on lightweighting and refining foiler performance. Their new-gen AC75 hulls for AC37 are approximately 1,000 kg lighter and carry fewer crew (8 instead of 11), all carefully engineered for speed and reliability.

They also advanced in-house manufacturing: battens are now autoclave-made, reducing production from seven weeks to just four days—a critical agility upgrade.

Foil Innovation

Their development of carbon-fiber foils—sleek, seamless, creaseless—demonstrates meticulous attention to detail. Designs consider foil flexibility, length, and hydrodynamic control surfaces, all with only one foil allowed per team during competition .

Maximizing Escambia Bay’s Unique Geography

From calm to choppy waters, Pensacola Bay presents a natural testing lab—perfect for foiling optimization. The team can experiment in flat water and challenging sea states without leaving local waters, enabling efficient iteration.

In one training session, the AC40 test boat “America” achieved 24 knots upwind and over 30 knots downwind. When offshore breezes faded, the crew returned to the bay’s coastal winds—proving the locale’s testing versatility.

Investing in Community and Talent

American Magic’s presence provides over 170 high-wage jobs in marine tech, engineering, and advanced manufacturing—boosting Pensacola’s economy.

They’ve also built partnerships with institutions like the Pensacola Yacht Club, University of West Florida, and Pensacola State College—creating internships and career pipelines in sailing and marine technology.

Youth programs like Open Skiff and Optimist events are building the next generation of sailors—planting seeds for long-term growth and community engagement.

Redefining American Sailing

American Magic has transformed Pensacola into a high-performance sailing hub, delivering:

Integrated infrastructure: manufacturing, R&D, training, and talent pipelines are unified.

Simulation breakthroughs: enhancing training density and speed of skill acquisition.

Technological refinement: lighter hulls, in-house batten production, sleek foils.

Geographic leverage: year-round testing on varied water conditions.

Local legacy: economic growth, educational opportunities, and community pride.

As Tyson Lamond says, “This is no longer a temporary base. This is home.”

“I want the legacy of American Magic here to outlive all of us.”

What began as a temporary training stop in 2018 became a revolutionary force in sailing innovation. American Magic’s home in Pensacola has become a living laboratory—where tech, design, and community converge to redefine how America competes in sailing.

Beyond the sleek foilers and race strategies, their legacy may ripple into decades of local talent, tech advancements, and renewed national sailing prestige—rooted in Escambia Bay’s waters.