LEGO Reviews Technic42174

Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht

Name: LEGO Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht 42174
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 42174
Rating: 4.75 (498 reviews)

72 · RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: BBB2024962 pcsHigh agreement · 95%

Expert reviews

3analyzed

Owner ratings

498

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

BrickScore

Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A visually impressive and technically novel Technic set that delights sailing fans and experienced builders alike, earning a BrickScore of 71.9 and a 4.75-star owner average across nearly 500 ratings. The pneumatic foil system is the star attraction, though unclear instructions and a high price per piece keep it short of must-have territory."

The Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht earns a solid Recommended verdict from buyers who consistently praise it as a visually spectacular and technically rewarding Technic build. With 498 owner ratings averaging 4.75 out of 5, real buyers are nearly unanimous in their enthusiasm, though the expert BrickScore of 71.9 reflects more measured appraisal of value and parts compared to its strong display appeal. The pneumatic foil system is the headline feature, impressing most builders once they figure out how it works, though the relatively low price-per-piece consensus (aspect score 53.9) and value-for-money score (59.3) suggest critics found the $119.99 ask a bit steep for 962 pieces.

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LOVED (7)

01Striking visual presence and dramatic color scheme once complete
02Pneumatic foil cant system that physically raises and lowers the hydrofoils
03Satisfying and appropriately challenging build with interesting techniques
04Faithful recreation of the America's Cup AC75 yacht, appreciated by sailing fans
05Impressive size as a display piece
06First Technic yacht, offering a welcome departure from the typical car and truck lineup
07Cyclor pedaling positions faithfully reproduced

CRITICIZED (5)

01Pneumatic mechanism is not intuitive and instructions are unclear on how to activate it, requiring online research
02Jib/bow cover sail arrived bent or folded for some buyers, detracting from appearance
03OMEGA name printed in reverse on the port side of the sail, a quality control oversight
04Jib/headsail only printed on one side, limiting display angle options
05Pump piston considered too small by some; cranking quickly can tip the model

What reviewers are saying

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

Brickset Reviews

"the most unique Technic set from the August 2024 wave"

RacingBrick

"When 42174-1 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht was announced, I had a similar reaction. The scale seemed to be the same, so the set probably doesn't have much news to offer. Then I noticed the part count, with 962 par…"

Rebrickable Reviews

Ecosystem

42074 Racing Yacht — The 42174 Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 Yacht is considerably bigger than the 2018 42074 Racing Yacht. These two set numbers differ by 100.

VTOL spaceship — Set has fewer pieces (962 vs. likely 1200+) for 10 dollars more, making price-per-piece unfavorable.

Ford GT — Ford GT has ~50% more pieces for the same price (~120 EUR/USD), but this yacht is physically much larger and more impressive in display presence despite having fewer total parts.

Mercedes-AMG F1 set — Shares new long reversed panel fairings design language introduced earlier in 2024.

TechnicTier 1Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 3

Avg score

Consensus

WAIT FOR SALE

Brickset Reviews

Editorial Source

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

Key Pros

✓Well-designed, reasonably accurate LEGO Technic model of a real AC75 racing yacht
✓Accurate design
✓Pneumatics replicate the hydraulic system effectively

Key Cons

✕Minor misprint on the New Zealand flag (red cross of Saint George and red cross of Saint Patrick should be separated by a thin white line)
✕Appeals to a niche market

READ FULL REVIEW

RacingBrick

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"the most unique Technic set from the August 2024 wave"

Key Pros

✓Unique and unprecedented vinyl sail design (largest ever in LEGO)
✓Excellent color scheme and paint job replicated with stickers and vinyl foils
✓Impressive height (68 cm) for under 1000 pieces

Key Cons

✕Price-per-piece ratio appears poor at first glance
✕Not very playable, primarily a display model

JUMP TO REVIEW

Rebrickable Reviews

Editorial Source

Key Pros

✓Larger scale than initially expected based on part count
✓Interesting pneumatic system for hydrofoil operation
✓Multiple interactive winch controls for sails

Key Cons

✕Very high price-per-part ratio at 12.5 cents per part
✕Sails can fit sloppily if boom not positioned correctly

READ FULL REVIEW

Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (0)Wait for sale (1)

Exclusivity

Brickset Reviews: Licensed set based on Emirates Team New Zealand; released with significant team and sponsor branding (Emirates, Toyota, Omega).

RacingBrick: Licensed Emirates Team New Zealand / America's Cup brand set

Resale

Brickset Reviews: Sold out quickly in New Zealand market; potential for strong aftermarket value among collectors interested in sailing and the America's Cup, though niche appeal may limit broader market demand.

RacingBrick: Not explicitly stated; however, unique design and niche appeal suggest potential for stable/strong aftermarket value, especially if discounted retail availability ends

Minifigures & Standout Parts

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Reversed Panel 3x7x2 in black
New part; matches profiles of two other new panels (Technic Panel Fairing Long Smooth Inverted, Side A #40, and Technic Panel Fairing Long Smooth Inverted, Side B #41); form the V shape of the lower hull
Technic Panel Fairing Long Smooth Inverted, Side A #40
New part; forms the V shape of the lower hull
Roof Tile 1X6X1 in black
New colour; first time found in black
Long reversed panel fairings (dark turquoise and others)
New parts introduced in this set; previously used in Mercedes-AMG F1 and Porsche GT4 sets
Small frame
Recently introduced part
Inverted curved panel
Recently introduced part

What Owners Say · summarized from 60 written reviews (LEGO, Amazon, Walmart)

Owners praise the set for its impressive design, beautiful display aesthetics, and engaging build challenge, but face significant frustration with non-functional pneumatics and occasional quality control issues.

COMMON PRAISE