It proves to be the most professional, consumate program the America's Cup has ever seen. Five boats are involved, the 'old' Spirit of America (1982) partially rebuilt and re-named Stars & Stripes '83, Liberty (1983) as yardstick and three new 12-metres.  The first one is Stars & Stripes '85, followed by a new faster radical hull. Stars & Stripes'86, built to take advantage of heavy seas and the strong winds expected in Fremantle. All the research and tests go into the final boat, Stars & Stripes '87.

The three new Stars & Stripes are shipped to Fremantle. The match between the three boats is even, but finally Stars & Stripes '87 is chosen to race the 1986-87 Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Vuitton Cup starts off Fremantle on October 5, 1986.  There are 13 challenger candidates: American Eagle, Heart of America, America II, USA, Courageous IV, Stars & Stripes, Canada II, Azzurrra IV, Italia, White Crusader, Challenge France, French Kiss and New Zealand.

The Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals are sailed from December 28, 1986 to January 2, 1987, with New Zealand and French Kiss on one side, and USA against Stars & Stripes on the other. Stars & Stripes beats USA in four close matches. The Louis Vuitton Cup final is sailed from January 13 to 19 between New Zealand and Stars & Stripes. Stars & Stripes '87 beats New Zealand by four wins to one. By winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, Dennis Conner is selected with his 12-metre as the official challenger of the 26th America's Cup.

31 January to 4 February, 1987, off Fremantle, Western Australia , Stars & Stripes races against Kookaburra III in the best of seven race series. The course is a 24.1 nautical mile triangular course with windward-leeward loops. Stars & Stripes beats Kookaburra III by four wins to nil:

- January 31, first race. Course direction: 225° on leg one. Wind speed: 8 to 18 knots. Wave height: 0.1 to 0.5 m. Stars & Stripes beats Kookaburra III by one minute and 41 seconds.

- February 1, second race. Course direction: 195° on leg one. Wind speed: 22 to 23 knots. Wave height: 1.0 to 1.2 m. Stars & Stripes beats Kookaburra III by one minute and 10 seconds.

- February 2, third race. Course direction: 210° on leg one. Wind speed: 12 to 18 knots. Wave height: 0.1 to 0.3 m. Stars & Stripes beats Kookaburra III by one minute and 46 seconds.

- February 4, fourth race. Course direction: 220° on leg one. Changed to 210° on leg three. Wind speed: 16 to 20 knots. Wave height: 0.3 to 1.6 m. Stars & Stripes beats Kookaburra III by one minute and 59 seconds.

Today, Stars & Stripes'87 US 55 is still sailing at St. Marteen.  She is in almost her original configuration and sails for charter.

This Stars and Stripes  model features: