Copycat claims have hit the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with Alfa Romeo skipper Neville Crichton claiming opponent Wild Oats XI copied his design.

Crichton said the uncanny similarity between the two super maxis was due to his ideas being "borrowed".

"I think they borrowed all my ideas unfortunately, the even painted the boat the same colour," Crichton told the Seven Network.

"I wasn't very happy about it, in fact I was pretty unhappy, but it has happened."

The Wild Oats XI crew acknowledged the boats looked the same but said there were subtle differences between them.

"Different keel depth, different keel material, different sail areas, our boat is a bit narrower than Neville's," said Wild Oats helmsman Mark Richards.

"Which boat is better, we are about to find out."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP