Review: 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht

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The two August 2024 LEGO Technic set releases both have a New Zealand connection.

Bruce McLaren was a New Zealand racing car designer, driver, engineer, and inventor. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand eighty-seven years ago.

And the name says it all - Emirates Team New Zealand - the New Zealand-based team hosting the 37th America's Cup regatta later this year.

Read on as I review the LEGO Technic 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht.

Summary

42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht, 962 pieces.
£104.99 / $119.99 / €119.99 | 10.9p/12.5c/12.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »

This is a well-designed, reasonably accurate LEGO Technic model of a real AC75 racing yacht.

  • Accurate design
  • Pneumatics replicate the hydraulic system effectively
  • Celebrates a great New Zealand yachting success
  • Minor misprint on the New Zealand flag
  • Appeals to a niche market

The box

The image on the front of the box shows the 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht on a port tack with the starboard foil-cant arm lowered.

The main image on the rear of the box shows the starboard side of the yacht, and you can see the raised starboard foil-cant arm.

An image on the rear of the box indicates that the model includes pneumatic functions and is 56.8 cm (22.4 inch) long - including the bowsprit.

Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75 is 22.7 m (74.5 feet) long. This means the model is built at a scale of 1:40. The length, in feet, is where the AC75 gets its name.

There is a front-on view of the model on the side of the box.

Instructions

The instructions come in one book of 216 pages. The build is broken into 205 steps.

The rear of the instruction book includes an Emirates Team New Zealand logo which is a stylised Silver Fern, the national symbol of New Zealand since 1888.

Sticker sheet

There is a large sticker sheet with twenty stickers that include a mix of Emirates Team New Zealand branding and sponsors.

Parts

There are 962 parts that are contained in six numbered bags.

There is one perforated plastic bag of loose parts, a small paper bag that contains the pneumatic hoses and a slim cardboard box that protects the two vinyl mainsail sheets.

The headsail vinyl sheet is loose in the box, as was the sticker sheet.

Emirates Team New Zealand sponsors

There are a range of sponsor's logos depicted on the stickers and vinyl sails:

  • Emirates Fly Better
  • Toyota
  • Omega

Emirates has been the naming sponsor of Team New Zealand since 2004.

Toyota New Zealand has supported New Zealand America's Cup challenges since 1987 when the New Zealand challenger, Kiwi Magic KZ7, romped through the Louis Vuitton Cup series, winning 37 from 38 races before finally being stopped by Denis Connor in the finals.

Omega has sponsored Team New Zealand since the 1995 America's Cup campaign, when the team first won the America’s Cup.

Emirates Team New Zealand also has one other alcohol-based sponsor, but including this company's logo probably does not meet LEGO's ethical rules.

New parts

There are three new parts and one part in a new colour included in this set.

Reversed Panel 3x7x2 in black.

These parts match the profiles of two other new panels:

The new panels form the V shape of the lower hull.

Roof Tile 1X6X1 is found in black for the first time.

The build

Assembly of the boat is divided into six sub-builds.

Bag 1

The first part of the build is assembling the supporting cradle (display stand) and the boat's keel. This cradle is integral with the hull of the boat and is not removable.

The crank handles on the stand drive the pump and the red double cross blocks control the valves.

The pneumatic control valves and air pump are in place.

Bag 2

The hull is developed further by fitting the boom for the mainsail.

What this image does not show very well is that there are four crew grinding positions: as the handles are cranked to drive the air pump, four pairs of grinder handles will also be seen to rotate.

Bag 3

The foredeck and bow area are assembled. The Bright Bluish Green (Dark Turquoise) foil-cant arms have been attached and are raised and lowered by the pneumatic cylinders.

Bag 4

The hull structure is completed with Bag 4.

The two eight-tooth gear wheels control the mainsail boom.

Bag 5

Bag 5 has the parts for the foil mast along with the stays to hold that mast up. The foils have been attached to the foil-cant arms.

Bag 6

Bag 6 completes the build. The head sail and two main sail vinyl sheets are attached. Up until this point, I had not attached the stickers.

The model is so tall (68.7 cm - 27 inch) that I couldn't avoid including the thin aluminium strip that holds up the blue backdrop in the image.

AC75 yacht - Taihoro

This short video shows Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75 class yacht, Taihoro, underway in Barcelona harbour.

This short video shows how the foil and foil-cant technology of the AC75 works.

The completed model

Here is the completed 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht out in the wild.

This image is taken in front of Emirates Team New Zealand's home base in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

For comparison, this link takes you to an interactive 3D webmodel of Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75 vessel.

The mainsail is made up of two vinyl sheets that sandwich the foil mast. You can see the logo of the 37th America's Cup regatta where racing commences in Barcelona later this month.

The New Zealand flag is printed just below the class logo. This must be the first time that the New Zealand flag has appeared on an official LEGO part.

There is a very minor misprint on the Union Flag (which is in the canton of the New Zealand flag): the red cross of Saint George and the red cross of Saint Patrick should be separated by a thin white line (technically - fimbriated of the second [viz., argent] - silver ie white).

Only a keen-eyed vexillologist would spot this, but, then again, that is the origin of my Username!

The two vinyl mainsail sheets are held together using combinations of plates and Technic cross-axle bushes.

Round 1x1 plates with through holes are joined to round 1x1 plates with shafts along the leech of the mainsail. Cross axle bushes and axles hold the luff onto the mast.

Different coloured parts are used depending on the colour where they pierce the mainsail.

LEGO produced a comparable Technic yacht in 2018: 42074 Racing Yacht.

This image shows the two models side-by-side. As you can see, the 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht is considerably bigger.

It is probably just a coincidence, but these two set numbers differ by 100!

The America's Cup

Also known as Auld Mug, the America's Cup was originally called the Royal Yacht Squadron One Hundred Sovereign Cup. It gained its name from the yacht, America, which won the first race. The cup was mistakenly engraved as the 100 Guinea Cup by the America syndicate.

For the next 132 years, the America's Cup was held by the New York Yacht Club (NYYC). This represents the longest winning streak in all sporting events.

Australian business tycoon, Alan Bond led an Australian syndicate that successfully challenged and won the America's Cup in 1983 when John Bertrand skippered the 12-metre class Australia II to victory. Australia II had the original and innovative winged keel designed by Ben Lexcen.

In John Bertrand's biography Born to Win, he describes in detail the thrills and battles of Australia II’s historic 1983 America’s Cup win. This is a book that I own and occasionally read for inspiration.

Wrestling the America's Cup away from the NYYC has allowed all the America's Cup campaigns since that momentous achievement to become more global.

Team New Zealand and the America's Cup

New Zealand challenged for the America's Cup when it was held at Fremantle, Western Australia in 1987. I was there, serving in a ship that visited Fremantle right in the middle of the 1987 America's Cup regatta!

New Zealand has had a team at every subsequent America's Cup regatta.

Team New Zealand successfully challenged and won the America's Cup in 1995 when New Zealand commentator Peter Montgomery famously quoted, "The America's Cup is now New Zealand's Cup."

Team New Zealand were representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

As mentioned earlier, since 2004, the team has been called Emirates Team New Zealand following the sponsorship of The Emirates Group.

The America's Cup regatta was held in Auckland, New Zealand's principal harbour, Waitemata, in 2000, 2003 and 2021.

Overall Opinion

42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht is a well-designed, reasonably accurate LEGO Technic model of a real AC75 racing yacht. The pneumatics operate quite well and the raising and lowering of the foils resemble the actions of real boats.

At 10.9p /12.5c /12.5c per part, it is comparatively priced compared with other licenced Technic sets released this year.

I am unsure of the overall appeal of this set as it represents a particular sailing team from a small, low-population country on the far side of the world. That being said, this set sold out, albeit in New Zealand, within hours of its release.

I only wish that the 37th America's Cup regatta was held in the home waters of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - the Waitemata Harbour.

"The America's Cup, currently New Zealand's Cup, is soon to be sailed in Spain," doesn't have the same ring to it!

93 likes

48 comments on this article

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

Great to see another unique Technic set that’s not just another supercar.

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By in Germany,

Excellent review. Thank you!

As I am not a keen technic enthusiast, I’d prefer a model team/UCS kind of set for a yacht like this. Nevertheless this set is very tempting.

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

GO TEAM NEW ZEALAND!

Damn, this set looks good. As a patriot and a fan of the America's cup, I want this set. But I don't have enough room in the budget.

And I wonder if Peter Burling and his crew will get sent a copy by LEGO?

Gravatar
By in Australia,

As a proud patriotic Aussie, buying this set would go against everything I stand for...

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By in Netherlands,

Still can't say I'm too excited by this set, but at least it is something different, and considering the size and inclusion of pneumatics, the price seems quite okay.

As for this being a licensed set, considering the rather niche subject and very prominent sponsor names, I'd think Lego should get paid to release a set like this....

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

@jonwil said:
"As a proud patriotic Aussie, buying this set would go against everything I stand for...
"

You Aussies think you're better than us at everything.

*Starts fighting*

Gravatar
By in Netherlands,

Great review! And an interesting set. Something else than a car at last!
And the size... I severely underestimated how HUGE this is.

Gravatar
By in Australia,

Looks fine. But I imagine only people from New Zealand would want it. If it was based on 1983 Australia II, I would of been all over this.

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By in United States,

Exciting set I am very tempted to buy. Thank you for the detailed review!

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By in United States,

This set looks like yachts of fun.

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By in United States,

I am sure others will point out several contradictions to this comment, but I believe that is the best image I have ever seen for a box-side art. it is more dramatic than the front and almost seems menacing.

Regarding the alcohol-based sponsor, isn't this an 18+ set? What the heck?

Gravatar
By in United States,

Is this the least expensive set with pneumatics in it? I've always wanted to try the LEGO pneumatic system, but they seem to always be in expensive sets. If I see this set on sale, I'd actually consider getting it.

Gravatar
By in Italy,

@ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone.

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

Brilliantly written review. Fantastic!

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By in United States,

@Schmopiesdad said:
"I am sure others will point out several contradictions to this comment, but I believe that is the best image I have ever seen for a box-side art. it is more dramatic than the front and almost seems menacing.

Regarding the alcohol-based sponsor, isn't this an 18+ set? What the heck? "

18+ is just a marketing thing to grab adults, and has nothing to do with box contents. Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street were also labeled 18+.

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

@Murdoch17 said:
" @Schmopiesdad said:
"I am sure others will point out several contradictions to this comment, but I believe that is the best image I have ever seen for a box-side art. it is more dramatic than the front and almost seems menacing.

Regarding the alcohol-based sponsor, isn't this an 18+ set? What the heck? "

18+ is just a marketing thing to grab adults, and has nothing to do with box contents. Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street were also labeled 18+."

The sponsor is Estrella damm, for anyone wondering.

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

I wonder if anyone will modify this set to make it float and include a motor?

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By in United States,

@dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

@TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand.

Gravatar
By in Netherlands,

@Maxbricks14 said:
"I wonder if anyone will modify this set to make it float and include a motor?"

Now that you mention it.......I don't seem to see "Boat does not float" anywhere on the box? That's....unusual for Lego.

Gravatar
By in Poland,

I'm seriously tempted by this set, but if I buy it I'm going to throw away all the stickers and paint spray all vinyl sail pieces white. I'm so cuorius how would it look..

Gravatar
By in Croatia,

@Agent00Z said:
"Is this the least expensive set with pneumatics in it? I've always wanted to try the LEGO pneumatic system, but they seem to always be in expensive sets. If I see this set on sale, I'd actually consider getting it. "
42053 was cheaper, and if you come across a copy of that set I'd highly recommend it.
42144 is the same price as the yacht, and a much better set to get into pneumatics. It's retired but you may well still find it in shops.

@FlagsNZ said:
"The main image on the rear of the box shows the port side of the yacht..."
I'm pretty sure that image shows the starboard side...
It looks like an impressive model of a crazy racing machine. I mean, sailing a 7 ton yacht with only a wing and a rudder touching the water? Bonkers!
I love the photo of the set outside the team's HQ!
Could you tell us a little more about the functions? Do the jib and mainsail move together? Does the rudder work?
If it's 1:40 scale it's pretty much minifig scale. Would have been fun to include 11 sailors ;-)

Gravatar
By in Germany,

Fantastic review! I really love all the nautical details and links!

Gravatar
By in Australia,

It's a magnificent looking set. That colour scheme really pops!

And released just in time for the 37th America's Cup in October too.

Gravatar
By in United States,

Great review , thank you.

Gravatar
By in United States,

@TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand."

Good point, take a bow.

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

@TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand."

Good point, take a bow."
I’m going to give you a very stern look while I do.

Gravatar
By in United States,

In addition to the minor flag design error, that's also a pretty ugly printing misalignment, causing dark purple lines where the red crosses overlap the blue of the flag.

Gravatar
By in Netherlands,

Sheldon would be proud!

Gravatar
By in France,

It might be the first Technic set I will buy for years. Last one was when I was a kid, more than... 40 years ago. I find those boats so majestic, and this Lego model looks excellent to me. I really like the pneumatic features too. Thank you for the excellent review.

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

I had a feeling you’d be reviewing this set on here David - great review as always.

Gravatar
By in United States,

@TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand."

Good point, take a bow."
I’m going to give you a very stern look while I do."

Mast you?

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

@Duq said:
" @Agent00Z said:
"Is this the least expensive set with pneumatics in it? I've always wanted to try the LEGO pneumatic system, but they seem to always be in expensive sets. If I see this set on sale, I'd actually consider getting it. "
42053 was cheaper, and if you come across a copy of that set I'd highly recommend it.
42144 is the same price as the yacht, and a much better set to get into pneumatics. It's retired but you may well still find it in shops.

@FlagsNZ said:
"The main image on the rear of the box shows the port side of the yacht..."
I'm pretty sure that image shows the starboard side...
It looks like an impressive model of a crazy racing machine. I mean, sailing a 7 ton yacht with only a wing and a rudder touching the water? Bonkers!
I love the photo of the set outside the team's HQ!
Could you tell us a little more about the functions? Do the jib and mainsail move together? Does the rudder work?
If it's 1:40 scale it's pretty much minifig scale. Would have been fun to include 11 sailors ;-)"

@Duq : Oops . . . that's a silly mistake I made! I've corrected this basic error.

To answer your questions:
The rudder is non-functional
The two eight-tooth gears move the mainsail boom and wing mast pivots with it.
There are two hand winches that are connected to the jib sheets that move the jib boom

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

@rslotb said:
"Sheldon would be proud! "

I love watching TBBT and, yes, I identify with Sheldon Copper!

Gravatar
By in New Zealand,

@Reg said:
"I had a feeling you’d be reviewing this set on here David - great review as always. "

Thanks, Richard.

Gravatar
By in Netherlands,

@FlagsNZ said:
" @rslotb said:
"Sheldon would be proud! "

I love watching TBBT and, yes, I identify with Sheldon Copper!"

I hoped someone would catch the reference, I'm very pleased it's you.

Gravatar
By in United States,

After watching Austrian Brick Fan's build video on YouTube Saturday evening I went to my local Bricks & Minifigs and bought the set Sunday afternoon. I'd looked at it on the shelf there on the Friday and after watching the build video I was intrigued enough to want this set.

Overall it was a fun build. I got all the stickers on correctly (Austrian Brick Fan unfortunately put one of the Toyota-branded stickers on upside down) and the model looks pretty nice.

Gravatar
By in United States,

@FlagsNZ

Think this review set the bar high for other reviews based on legit vehicle sets. Not only is there a picture for reference, there are YouTube videos, information about the team and sponsors, a history lesson, and amazing videos explaining the technology used. Learned so much !

Gravatar
By in Turkey,

Very nice model. I'ld prefer this to other non-functional dust collectors.

Gravatar
By in United States,

I think this one is great - reminds me of the Sopwith Camel, in its lines, style, and purpose: basically a mantle display. If I don't get it, it will certainly become a white whale.

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

Outstanding review of an interesting set - many thanks!

Niche it may be, but great to have some variety in the line up.

Hopefully the staff at the Emirates Team New Zealand home base came outside and checked out the set while you were photographing it outside their premises!

Gravatar
By in United Kingdom,

The pneumatic's were a surprise and glad they will be around for a bit longer as gives the model something different from the usual boat. The larger scale allows a Technic panel hull build which appears very sleek, which is difficult to do on a smaller scale. Just not sure where I would display it.

Gravatar
By in United States,

@TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand."

Good point, take a bow."
I’m going to give you a very stern look while I do."

Mast you?"

I shall toast all of you with a glass of Port!

Gravatar
By in United States,

@Scottsl8 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @TheOriginalSimonB said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @dingbat591 said:
" @ohrmazd said:
"This set looks like yachts of fun. "

Yes, but it's not foil everyone."

Oh, the thread is going to take that tack, is it?"

I’d much rudder read these comments than see all out war between Australia and New Zealand."

Good point, take a bow."
I’m going to give you a very stern look while I do."

Mast you?"

I shall toast all of you with a glass of Port!"

And beam while doing so, no doubt.

Gravatar
By in Australia,

As a dual citizen of both Aus and NZ (parents both from NZ, but born after they moved to Aus), this is a really interesting set to me - especially since I note that they generally go for global appeal where it makes sense. I tend to steer more towards the car side of things (my collection is almost entirely Speed Champs and Technic cars), and those are mostly globally focused, with a smattering of US-centric sets. To see a set with an admittedly niche locality focus is a rather interesting prospect - it’s the equivalent of seeing, say, a Holden Commodore in Speed Champs. I suppose it’s mostly due to the fact that over the last couple of decades, NZ has been synonymous with success in the America’s Cup; but generally, if there’s a set like this, I would have expected to see an unbranded model in the style of this class of yacht. So this was a pleasant surprise to see; though I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull a stunt similar to that of the last few years, with sets such as 42184, 42196, 42162 and 77942 - all recolours of existing sets, in order for a “de-branded” model down the line.

Gravatar
By in United States,

I hope LEGO creates another one for Oracle Team USA 2013 when we won the America's Cup in San Francisco (although I believe Larry Ellison recruited the crews from New Zealand!!) This way I can have both sailing yachts displaying side by side like in the competition.

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