New Figaro 3 launch and first sail

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by Dolfiman, Sep 3, 2017.

  1. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    Videos of the new Bénéteau Figaro 3 launched July 28 and very first sail with its "Chistera" shape foils (the chistera is a form of racquet used in Basque pelota, a traditional game).
    It is a VPLP design, 9,75m long (32') , 2900 kg (6393 lbs)
    This boat will be built by Bénéteau as a monotype for the french championship of offshore races, including the "La solitaire du Figaro", which forms the pool of the future top sailors for Vendée Globe and Ultime races (all "Vendée globe" winners used to be double or triple winners of the "La solitaire du Figaro").

    Launch :
    First sail : Bénéteau. Figaro 3, les premières vidéos ! http://www.letelegramme.fr/voile/en-images/solitaire-voila-le-figaro-3-26-07-2017-11610043.php
    Bénéteau site (in French but with beautiful views of the boat) :
    BENETEAU FIGARO 3 BENETEAU FRANCE http://www.beneteau.com/fr/figaro-beneteau-3
     
  2. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Interesting stuff, Dolfiman, thanks. Not sure I get that foil considering the complete inability to retract it and the lack of rudder t-foils. Certainly innovative.
     
  3. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    Dear Doug,

    This link with new photos better showing the chistera foils in action.
    Bénéteau sails new Figaro 3 foiling monohull - Yachting Monthly http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/beneteau-announces-production-foiling-monohull-54366
    I understood that the specifications were deeply discussed with all stakeholders (VPLP , Bénéteau, circuit organisers and sailors representatives) within a strict budget of 150 kEuros no more, and the main results are no water ballast, no kanting keel, a bit more draft, innovation focused on these foils, a lighter and shorter boat , all that with an expected performance of average +15% in speed / Figaro 2 (and now esay to verify with the prototype). Chistera foils have the advantage of no unuseful drag by light breeze.
     
  4. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

  5. nacrajon
    Joined: Jan 2009
    Posts: 18
    Likes: 1, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 13
    Location: Australia

    nacrajon Junior Member

    Boat looks very impressive but why are Bene making it out of poly resin. Surely for a stressed boat an epoxy layup would be better. I understand its built to a cost but epoxy would not be that much more.
     
  6. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    ---------------------------
    Dolfiman, this link is not working-at least for me this morning.........
     
  7. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

  8. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

  9. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    New videos with English comments + the technical file :
    In video 1 : Foils are said just for foiling assistance and providing exactly the same RM than the 300 litres of the Figaro 2 water ballasts while saving the 300kg. Moreover, the keel is fixed but with more draft (2,50 m instead of 2,15 m) and the boat is lighter (2900 kg instead of 3290 kg). Tacking is as easy as a classic sailing boat.
    In video 2 : high speed in reaching.
    In video 3, visit of the boat including from 8:00 views of the foil retractable system.

    After this positive test of the prototype, a second boat is building to be the "standard" of the series, endowed with the latest evolutions deemed desirable following the tests. All the boats will be delivered to their owners only in 2018 to respect sporting fairness for La Solitaire-URGO Le Figaro. The 50th edition of the solo race, in the summer of 2019, will be indeed the first race on board the Figaro Bénéteau 3.
    Video 1 :
    Video 2:
    Video 3 :
    Technical file : http://www.beneteau.com/sites/default/files/public/dossier_fb3_1.pdf
     
  10. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    ==============
    Looks like a great series of articles but so far I can't translate it! When I have time I'll try some other things....
    PS The Figaro looks like it would be a real pain to dock-especially in tough conditions.
     
  11. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    Dear Doug,
    I translate a small piece when Lauriot-Prevot speaks with figures :
    "Lauriot-Prevot can record the effect with impressive numbers. At 15 knots, the foil produces a considerable vertical lift of around 400 daN, thus the equivalent of a half ton. As the weight of the Figaro 3 compared with the previous one (Figaro 2) is reduced by 200 kg and that the missing water-ballast represents 270 kg, the boat displacement will be reduced by a total of 900 kg less - about a third of the total weight. An enormous effect that directly affects the speed potential and explains the pivoting of Beneteau to the airfoil technology"
     
  12. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Dolfiman, thanks-sounds impressive!
     
  13. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    With these foils coming out of the hull like mustaches, it looks like a Darwinian evolution of a monohull towards a foiler !
     
  14. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    This video on the use of the foils, interview in English :
     
    Doug Lord likes this.

  15. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    Figaro 3 in upwind sailing with foil and wind ..., in this video from 00:40 :
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.