Blog

WELCOME TO THE TEMPOSONICS BLOG


Here, you can find tips, tricks, and application stories about our sensor solutions. Learn more about the possibilities that our position sensors can offer to the industrial and mobile hydraulics sectors and how our transmitters support the liquid level business segment.

Cariboni makes AC75 fly with Temposonics

Aug 4, 2025
The America's Cup is one of the most historic and prestigious sailing events in the world. Since 1851, boats from different countries have competed to win the prestigious trophy.
Over the years, both the competition and the boats have undergone continuous evolution: every technological innovation, every increase in speed or precision of maneuvers can decide victory or defeat. In this article, Paola Cariboni, daughter of founder Giovanni Cariboni, explains how Cariboni Srl's state-of-the-art hydraulic cylinders, equipped with Temposonics sensors, maximize the speed of the yachts, making them literally "fly" over the water.

Flying on water: hydraulics meets precision

In 1984, Giovanni Cariboni founded Cariboni Srl. As an experienced sailor, his entry into the sailing components market was facilitated by his passion for water sports, which he transferred to technological development. The initial production consisted of aluminum masts, but from 1987 the company focused on hydraulic solutions for boats, which became the core business in 1993. The main customers are shipyards that build boats for competitions, optimized for speed and maneuverability. The America's Cup, one of the oldest sailing competitions, is also notable for its pioneering use of new technologies such as foils,
Abb. 1: Courtesy by Carlo Borlenghi elements that allow boats to rise by reducing contact with the water, increasing speed by up to 15 percent. In fact, it was the first regatta where boats "flew". Foils work much like flippers. Above a certain speed, which

depends on the shape and thickness of the foil, there is overpressure at the bottom and underpressure at the top, similar to airplane wings, but in water. As a result, the boat rises and reduces contact with the water. A control system on board the boat manages the technology at the touch of a button.

Offshore automation
The America's Cup AC75 monohull boats have two foils: movable arms on the side of the boat that are raised and lowered depending on the waves. To lower the boom into the water, the hydraulic cylinder extends; to raise it again, it retracts. Cariboni hydraulic cylinders, equipped with Temposonics® MH-Series sensors, control the exact position of the foils. In constant communication with the on-board console, they allow precise adjustments without the need for manual intervention. Paola Cariboni says, "Our cylinders provide extremely agile control of the foil arms. We make them increasingly reliable, but also as light as possible, because in professional competitions every gram counts. The integrated Temposonics® MH-Series position sensors with CAN Open output ensure maximum accuracy and reliability. In addition, the space-saving integration into the cylinder of a narrow boat on the open sea is a great advantage. Thanks to our experience, our products are used on all America's Cup yachts. "

Extremely durable-even at 50 knots
Winning depends on the skill of each competitor. Over the decades, professional sailors have perfected the handling of these boats and compete with the best in the world. Technical failures or damage to boat components are not allowed. This could result in the team being disqualified or, in the worst case, injury or death. As a result, every component of the sailboat must be able to withstand the harsh sea conditions combined with high speeds. Today's boats can reach speeds of about 50 knots, which is about 93 kilometers per hour. The vibrations that occur when a car hits a pothole or speed bump at this speed are
well known. Unlike road traffic, where vehicles are rarely exposed to such vibrations, ships are constantly subjected to these events due to wave motion. The foils, which are the only part of the boat in contact with the water, must be able to withstand these conditions. Hydraulic cylinders and integrated transducers must be extremely rugged, and Temposonics® sensors provide the necessary robustness, operating reliably and durably without any maintenance. Paola Cariboni explains
why they chose Temposonics sensors: "Since the position transducers are fully integrated into the cylinder, they are protected from all external influences. Salt water cannot damage them. Their shock resistance is incredible. There is nothing worse than a sensor failure during a race and anomalies in the hydraulic and foil control. We tested several types of sensors, but the Temposonics® MH-Series gave the best results. Another benefit of full in-cylinder integration is that the sensor is out of

the way of the crew. There can be a lot of movement on board during a race, so it's beneficial to have as few components around as possible, limiting the risk of tripping and reducing the likelihood of potential accidents on board."

Attentive listening for successful collaboration

Listening for successful collaboration "In the project phase, you should always be proactive and listen to everyone. Someone can always give you advice on topics you would not have thought of on your own! My father, Gianni Cariboni, has been following this philosophy for exactly 40 years and has become the leading manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders for sailing boats. We expect the same communication and listening from our partners and suppliers as we do within the company. This is why our partnership with Temposonics works so well. Our direct contacts are always at our side. There is no feeling of being treated like a number." Cariboni continues, "We have been working with Temposonics for a long time, long before I joined the family business. Cariboni began working with Temposonics more than twenty years ago to automate the then-common monohull and multihull sailboats to improve the sailing experience."

Conclusion

The collaboration between Temposonics and Cariboni will continue, solidifying their presence as suppliers to the America's Cup. "We will continue to rely on Temposonics sensors for their very high quality, in part because our customers expect the highest quality from us," said Cariboni. In today's high performance sailing environment, Cariboni hydraulic cylinders and Temposonics sensors are essential elements that are setting new standards in the industry. This winning synergy promises a bright future for sailing competitions.

 

(Download PDF-Version)

 

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

You have a question about one of our products or would like more details on a possible application?
Click here to fill in our request form

Don't want to miss out on the latest blog updates and other news?
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter

 

Total customer satisfaction

We live by the promise of unparalleled service that enables us to take all available means to exceed your expectations.
Click here to find out how we support our customers