American Magic (Belle Mente) Training Facility (2019)
Thu Jan 22 2026
Belle Mente – American Magic
Belle Mente, part of the American Magic syndicate, commissioned Baytex to design and fabricate a purpose-built training facility for their monohull “mule” - a scaled training version of the AC75 yacht developed for the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland. The project was initiated through Baytex’s established working relationship with America’s Cup teams from previous campaigns in San Francisco and Bermuda.
Client Objectives
The client required a high-performance structure capable of:
- Housing and maintaining the Belle Mente training vessel (“The Mule”)
- Allowing full-scale testing and validation of design concepts prior to final AC75 construction
- Accommodating the articulation of canting daggerboards
- Providing an integrated 9m × 15m workshop adjacent to the main structure
The facility needed to support both daily operations and complex lifting and maintenance activities, while meeting the technical demands of elite-level sailing development.
Design & Engineering Solution
A bespoke tensile structure was designed using Ferrari 502 White Translucent fabric, supplied by Serge Ferrari, selected for its strength, durability, and light-transmitting properties.
A key innovation of the project was the use of curved tension purlins, engineered to create additional roof volume. This enabled the monohull mule to be lifted into the roof space while allowing full articulation of the canting daggerboards - a critical functional requirement.
Technical Innovation
One of the most complex elements of the project was the custom-designed boat lifting system, developed by Baytex. This system allows the 4,000 kg hull to be raised safely into the roof space and repositioned while elevated.
The lifting solution includes:
- A structural support beam and strut system mounted at four rafter points
- Mobile winches that travel along the beam, enabling controlled movement of the vessel at height
This system significantly enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility within the facility.
Outcomes & Results
The completed structure fully met - and exceeded - the client’s expectations. Feedback on the arched purlin system and overall functionality has been extremely positive, with the facility providing a highly effective environment for testing, maintenance, and development.
The success of this project further strengthened Baytex’s reputation within the professional sailing community and reinforced its position as a trusted supplier to elite sailing syndicates worldwide.
Project Summary
Baytex continues to work closely with leading international sailing teams. Being selected as a preferred supplier for a new America’s Cup challenger highlights the company’s proven capability to deliver innovative, high-performance structural solutions tailored to the unique demands of competitive sailing.
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