antoineb
10-02-2008, 09:47 AM
Just wanted to say I've had a chance to approach that new craft, which was just named but is yet to sail.
Basically it's a 32ft catamaran, with very modern hull shapes (wave-piercing bows, etc), in general principle not very different from the 28ft catamarans seen on Lake Geneva.
Where it DOES depart however, is with its two huge foils. These foils rest on outriggers earching about 20in (50cm) outside. The frame used to hold them can be controlled via hydraulics.
So at non-flying speeds, the foils are actually vertical and serve a daggerboards, the plan being that this boat should be at least as fast as comparable classical boats in non-flying conditions.
And when wind speeds get stronger (some say as low as 10-12 knots or a low force 3 bf) the frame allows to get the foils inclined and set deeper in the water.
that's for the theory.
the team say that achieving this, especially getting the weight right (limit of 650 kilos ready to sail including crew of 4, ie about HALF that of the D35 35ft catamarans racing on Lake Geneva), was a huge challenge which is why the boat is ready only now in early October, and not in June as initially hoped.
It's obviously way too early to tell whether this will work. Based on how long it took to get Hydroptere to fly fast one might be tempted to say that Syz & Co will also need time - but on the other hand here we've got a more modern concept from great naval architects (VPLP) and using modern simulation techniques, which I think leaves hope that the craft might fly fairly well and fairly soon. Now whether it flies at say a "mere" 30-35 knots, or whether it flies really fast, remains to be seen.
Good luck in any case
Basically it's a 32ft catamaran, with very modern hull shapes (wave-piercing bows, etc), in general principle not very different from the 28ft catamarans seen on Lake Geneva.
Where it DOES depart however, is with its two huge foils. These foils rest on outriggers earching about 20in (50cm) outside. The frame used to hold them can be controlled via hydraulics.
So at non-flying speeds, the foils are actually vertical and serve a daggerboards, the plan being that this boat should be at least as fast as comparable classical boats in non-flying conditions.
And when wind speeds get stronger (some say as low as 10-12 knots or a low force 3 bf) the frame allows to get the foils inclined and set deeper in the water.
that's for the theory.
the team say that achieving this, especially getting the weight right (limit of 650 kilos ready to sail including crew of 4, ie about HALF that of the D35 35ft catamarans racing on Lake Geneva), was a huge challenge which is why the boat is ready only now in early October, and not in June as initially hoped.
It's obviously way too early to tell whether this will work. Based on how long it took to get Hydroptere to fly fast one might be tempted to say that Syz & Co will also need time - but on the other hand here we've got a more modern concept from great naval architects (VPLP) and using modern simulation techniques, which I think leaves hope that the craft might fly fairly well and fairly soon. Now whether it flies at say a "mere" 30-35 knots, or whether it flies really fast, remains to be seen.
Good luck in any case