The Cogito Project: Design and Development of an International C-Class Catamaran and Her Successful Challenge to Regain the Little America’s Cup

In January 1996, Cogito, the U.S. challenger, defeated the Australian defender, Yellow Pages Edge, by the score of 4-0 in the 22nd running of the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy. This brought the trophy, better known as the Little America's Cup, back to the United States after an eleven-year stay in Australia. The Cogito project was three years in length and encompassed the design/construction phase, initial sailing and tuning at her home, the Bristol Yacht Club in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the final training and competition at the race venue, McCrae Yacht Club on Port Philip Bay south of Melbourne, Australia. This paper will cover all phases of the project from the design through the racing.