Cobalt Catamaran Foiler

Found on the SA front page: Everybodys going foiling-ain't it cool-the Future is NOW!
http://www.cobaltcf.com/breaking-water-speed-records-might-be-plain-sailing-for-team-cobalt/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppTTD38xh1E ------------

 

I had the chance to take a look at the vessel in question at the weekend.Nice hulls,but a lot of refining will be needed to make all the systems work.I wasn't too impressed by the mast steps or the upper foil attachments.

 

I thought the same thing watching the video. The foil hinges seem underweight compared to what you see on other foilers. I also wonder about the big holes drilled in the base of the mast. Even if they contain the downhaul loads to the mast tube itself I worry about the longevity of those bolts through the base.

Full credit to them for bringing a project to a stage where it reaches the water but I wonder whether the game hasn't moved on a bit from where it was when key design decisions were being made on this project. The last AC cycle resulted in a lot of learning that may not have made it into this boat due to the stated 3-year build time. They have also taken the approach of attempting to integrate several major design innovations in one go - which history shows can be a painful process.

Regardless - they have a boat on the water and will no doubt learn a lot about what makes it tick in the coming months. That in itself is a pretty good achievement.

If I ever need an exit strategy for my technology I know where to go!

 

The main foils on the Cobalt brings to mind the SYZ foiler that used similar main foils: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/multihulls/syz-catamaran-foiler-24428.html

 

Well the rig looks a bit too soft and the sails look a bit too full. A purpose built boat to break a particular speed record is as much the future of the sport as MariCha IV is/was

 

Except ?

pogo