SYZ Catamaran Foiler

Heres more info:
http://www.syzbank.ch/filedownload.l...osition=inline
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Interesting approach with surface piercing foils.....

Right here ,Fanie-1st post(posted two days ago)

SYZ christening picture reveals a lot about the foil system:
1) main foils can be varied in immersion and variably angled
2) it has a flap on the trailing edge of the main foils which is highly unusual for a surface piecing foiler
3) It has a single aft t-foil
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These guys may have a breakthru design here because some of the biggest issues with catamaran foilers appear to have been addressed in an innovative way. The variability of the main foils in "cant" angle,vertical immersion and an apparently adjustable flap are the things that stand out to me.

Heres some more from the SYZ people:
"The SYZ & CO foil catamaran’s entire crew was assembled last Wednesday at the Société Nautique de Genève to celebrate the flying boat’s christening. The catamaran, suspended in mid-air in front of the Club, drew much attention from the crowd of visitors who had come to admire this high-technology sailing craft.

The project’s initiators, Patrick Firmenich, Jean Pfau, Jean Psarofaghis and Alex Schneiter, were present along with the entire staff that has worked on this leading-edge project and with four-time Formula One world champion, Alain Prost, the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran’s godfather.

'Although sailing is a completely different sport, I have found many similarities with the universe of Formula One. This type of project reflects the same philosophy of progress, the same quest for performance relying on constant innovation. I wish this extraordinary enterprise complete success', said Prost as he smashed the Champagne bottle against the ship’s starboard foil.

The christening took place two days after the catamaran’s spectacular launch via helicopter. The airlift of this strange dragonfly from the Psaros shipyard in Vésenaz, over the fields of Cologny and into the waters of a Société Nautique de Genève bathed in sunlight was a moment of intense beauty and emotion.


SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran above Lake Geneve -
The impressive human and technical resources that needed to be involved to complete this ship make it worthy of an America’s Cup project.

Indeed, most key players and staff members were recruited in the arena of Grand Prix sailing that is the America’s Cup.

Among them, one may mention French yacht designers VPLP, engineers Clemens Dransfeld and Giorgio Provinciali, as well as Giovanni Cariboni, provider of the ship’s hydraulic system.

Furthermore, the conception and construction of the SYZ & CO foil catamaran represent a total workload of nearly 20,000 hours. An indication of the project’s scale is provided by the fact that building an America’s Cup Class yacht requires approximately 25,000 work hours.

'We started from an absolutely blank sheet. We know how to build boats that float and boats that fly, but never had we tried to build one that does both', said Marc Van Peteghem.

Alex Schneiter and Patrick Firmenich reminded those present that, 'It was necessary to push research to the limits in order to lighten the ship’s weight in all areas. Each piece required intense reflection in order to meet the seemingly contradictory imperatives of robustness and lightness. This yacht is akin both to Formula One and precision watch making.'

And Eric Syz, Chief Executive Officer of Banque SYZ & CO, reaffirmed: 'We are very proud to sponsor this project, which marks the turning of a new page in the history of sailing.'

Considering its airborne launch and suspended christening in front of the Société Nautique’s terraces, it seems evident that the SYZ & CO foil catamaran’s foremost aim is to fly above the water. However, Lake Geneva being characterised by relatively poor wind conditions, the true challenge was to create a high-performance yacht in both Archimedean (afloat) and flight modes.

First navigation tests are scheduled in a few weeks, and only then will it be known whether the boat’s real performance is up to theoretical expectations. Until then we are left in suspense. "

More details:
Specifications

Project Initiators: Patrick Firmenich, Jean Pfau, Jean Psarofaghis, Alex Schneiter
Architects: VPLP (Van Peteghem – Lauriot Prévost)
Engineering: Clemens Dransfeld and the Polymer Engineering Institute of the Haute Ecole Universitaire of Northwest Switzerland; Giorgio Provinciali; Michel Kermarec
Construction: Psaros Shipyard in Vésenaz (Geneva) and ZR Concept in Echandens (Vaud)
Hulls:
Pre-impregnated vacuum-heated carbon
Mast: Marström, monolithic carbon fibre
Sails: North Sails (Switzerland), 3Di sails
Hull Length: 9.75 m (32 ft)
Length OA: 11.70 m (38.4 ft)
Mast Length: 15.40 m (50.5 ft)
Air Draught: 16.30 m (53.5 ft)
Weight: approximately 630 kg (1’388 lbs)
Sail Area: 85 m2 (close haul), 150 m2 (running)

Here: (From SA) Check out the retractable foils that can be used as hydrofoils(and daggerboards) or as daggerboards alone.

More information:http://www.syzbank.ch/sponsoring/cat...oils/index.lbl

[robherc]

.....but I thought syz didn't matter.... (sorry, cheap pun, but it's late, and I haven't had my coffee rations for today)

[Buster]

Great shots and news on www.syzfoiler.com... Would love to be on board..

For some reason I couldn't access any of the pictures except the one posted on SA-fantastic development-will be real interesting to she if she proves fast.
pix by Loris Von Siebenthal:

More info: http://www.syzfoiler.com/filedownloa...osition=inline

The SYZ Foiler site:http://www.syzfoiler.com/

Media Release:

"After two years of development and hard work, the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran took off April 2nd for its maiden flight in a northerly breeze averaging 13 knots on the slightly choppy waters of Lake Leman and has demonstrated its striking manner the validity of its concept. The next weeks will be devoted to tuning up in order to be ready for the main races of the season.

Sailing in a breeze of approximately 13 knots with gusts going up to 16 knots, the hydrofoil catamaran first started with a reef on the main sail and the genoa. As the wind picked up, the crew quickly changed the fore sail and switched to the forestaysail. The SYZ & CO then proceeded windward until Creux-de-Genthod and the bearing away already promised to be spectacular. The crew gained in confidence in the prototype and rushed downwind towards Geneva at a speed of 10 knots. A magical moment, every one holding his breath until finally a hull lifts up out of the water followed a moment later by the second one! The catamaran accelerates to quickly reach 20 knots. The water is a little choppy and the boat dances on the waves. Helmsman Alex Schneiter later tells: "She's quite light to steer and responds quickly but remains tolerant. In flight, she stays pleasant to steer and easy to trim. When she's on the water, in Archimedean mode, she's heavier than a conventional yacht but I think that a lot will depend on the tune up."

An intensive training and testing program has been established. During this crucial phase, Pierre-Yves Jorand, member of the Alinghi team, and Boet Brinkgreve will be the key people. Pierre-Yves, who logically is very interested in this project, will be able to share his America's Cup experience and the discipline that defines it. Boet, the on-board tactician, has put in place a test and checks program, managed from an on-board computer, and has created a systematic analysis database for all parameters. Moreover, an optical fiber sensor system has been installed in order to analyze the performance and the loads on the foils."

[Doug Lord]

More news:
http://www.syzfoiler.com/filedownloa...osition=inline

[Doug Lord]

Fairly poor video and uneven performance:

http://www.skippers.ch./skippers-tv/index.php?id=301

[Doug Lord]

Completely re-fitted...
Story here:

http://www.thedailysail.com/inshore/...l-dor-mirabaud

Click on images:

[Doug Lord]

There is something about this picture(from Foilers!)........


Click on image and then, again, on image that results: