fully foiling IMOCA 60

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by container, Sep 13, 2021.

  1. container
    Joined: May 2019
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    Location: new zealand

    container Junior Member

    the old L'occitane imoca has been fitted with rudder foils (on the port rudder only) , making it the first imoca to achieve full CONTROLLED flight, as opposed to bunny hopping with the transom slapping the water like the rest of them. perhaps there is going to be a rule change allowing the use of rudder foils in the new ocean race.

    Log into Facebook https://fb.watch/7-jrpJ1Bwz/
     

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    skyking1 likes this.
  2. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Barbados

    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    That is impressive.
    Re how they fitted foils on to the port rudder only, I guess that this was just an experimental trial?
    It looks pretty successful to me, so would that mean that they will now fit foils on the starboard rudder as well, and then they can foil sail on both tacks?
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2021
  3. pironiero
    Joined: Apr 2020
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    Location: Pattaya, TH

    pironiero Coping

    this will be hell to keep it in the air
     
  4. wet feet
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    wet feet Senior Member

    I thought the IMOCA rules prevented the use of rudder foils.Is this a way to initiate a discussion about a move to a fully foiling class?
     
  5. container
    Joined: May 2019
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    Location: new zealand

    container Junior Member

    Surely they would use a flight control autopilot for offshore, like the ultim trimarans.

    My guess is the main benefit to this fully foiling setup would actually be to keep the boat in the water and not flying. The longtitudinal position on the main foil is very close to the COG, so the boats reach a point where they are 'balancing' on the keel and foil. there is some awesome shots of these boats tripping over a cavitating foil and nose diving at speed, with this setup they can keep the transom in or on the water while creating as much lift/RM as possible without the risk of suddenly pitching bow down when the main foil punches through a wave at 35kts.
     
  6. container
    Joined: May 2019
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    Location: new zealand

    container Junior Member

    Yeah that is correct, this is a trial horse. theyve been mucking around with flying mini 650s for a couple of years now so it must be time to try it on the big boys
     

  7. wet feet
    Joined: Nov 2004
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    Location: East Anglia,England

    wet feet Senior Member

    I can understand the logic of going fully flying.Not only will the boat go faster,the frontal area of the hull plus foils will be slightly reduced,as will the chances of the exposed surfaces finding aquatic junk.On the other side of the coin,the higher speed will make any impact that much more severe.Could anybody enlighten us regarding the effect on comfort of the change?
     
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