Professional BoatBuilder article: Foiling Outboard-Powered Catamaran

[brian eiland]

Brian, I read your critique of this design and I agree with a bit of it, but why would you criticize such a forward-thinking boat that was designed by people that know one hell of a lot about all of the compromises inherent in this kind of boat....

I actually look forward to criticism of my work, if it is justifiable, and not just mean-spirited. It can often result in a better finished product.

When I was involved directly in the retail market and displaying product in the Annapolis boat shows and many other shows (as a distributor), I often would tell my suppliers (often manufactures) that they should come visit me in those shows and LISTEN to the concerns voiced by the people I was trying to sell their product to. You had to listen to those concerns, and how often any one particular concern might be voiced. That would tell you how much of an effort you needed to pay attention to any one aspect of a design.

BTW, I'm not that convinced that the fellows who designed this boat know one hell of a lot about all of the compromises inherent in this size and kind of boat.

 

[ziper1221]

Any foils on a fishing boat, especially projecting out and down like these, are a bit of a hazard for fouling lines, guaranteed to cut you off when that big trophy fish takes a run as you try and bring it to gaff.

That's why you bring them up when fishing, since they make no difference at anchor or at trolling speeds

 

[Russell Brown]

Well, I'm glad to know that I shouldn't post about what I'm designing and building on this thread, unless for some reason I want to read bullet lists of things wrong with it.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

That's why you bring them up when fishing, since they make no difference at anchor or at trolling speeds

Are they easily raised , and lowered ?

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

I'm on record recently on this forum suggesting that a family/normie friendly mass market express cabin cruiser hydrofoil could be the "next big thing" in consumer boating. Foils to smooth ride and stay high and dry, and also to reduce rolling when stopped or low speed trolling.

I figured a consumer friendly hydrofoil would require a bit more real engineering and testing than normal one-off custom design, that can be commissioned with great confidence due to so many very similar successful boats, so a consumer hydrofoil would require a big firm that is able to bet big.

I didn't consider cat hydros.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I didn't consider cat hydros.

You will find plenty under "hysucat" ( hydrofoil supported cat). Been a while since I saw one, the foils were aluminium and were completely flat underneath, and a simple circle section on top. Seemed rudimentary, probably moved on from that. You will find plenty under "hysucat" ( hydrofoil supported cat). Been a while since I saw one, the foils were aluminium and were completely flat underneath, and a simple circle section on top. Seemed rudimentary, probably moved on from that. My ideas of a foil assisted cat, were more along the lines of something looking a bit like the inverted tail of the old "T-jets", swept back, winglets, perhaps a fence to stop aerated water bleeding down to the foils, and will the ability to change, a little, the angle of attack of the whole caboose. It should, in theory, be able to deflect obstacles encountered, out of the way, and not have debris and weed and stuff hang up on it. In practice, however, maybe not.

 

[fpjeepy05]

I've passed your questions on to the author of the article... answers to come.

Any updates on this build?

 

[fallguy]

I missed this one. Man, that would be hard to walk on the deck for mooring or anchoring. Not sure about some of the upper stuff.

 

[SolGato]

I'm on record recently on this forum suggesting that a family/normie friendly mass market express cabin cruiser hydrofoil could be the "next big thing" in consumer boating. Foils to smooth ride and stay high and dry, and also to reduce rolling when stopped or low speed trolling.

I figured a consumer friendly hydrofoil would require a bit more real engineering and testing than normal one-off custom design, that can be commissioned with great confidence due to so many very similar successful boats, so a consumer hydrofoil would require a big firm that is able to bet big.

I didn't consider cat hydros.

Some manufacturers are integrating foils to smooth ride and handling, and greatly improve fuel efficiency.

https://www.aquilaboats.com/news/aquila-hydro-glide-foil