affordable foiling sailboat

12 foiling boats for sailors of all levels

• April 15, 2022
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There’s no denying that the phenomenon of the moment, when it comes to having fun, is foiling boats (as Checco Bruni told us himself in this article). In the wake of the latest editions of the America’s Cup, flying boats, especially in the dinghy segment, have become increasingly widespread. On one or two hulls, with one or more foils, more or less easy to fly, single or crewed.

We have selected for you 12 flying boats with which to enter the world of foils or with which to try and perfect your skills. We also tell you how much they cost and the “difficulty of flight” (XXX: difficult; XX: medium; X: easy). The only common denominator is that they are great fun!

Birdyfish – 4,7 m – For foiling beginners

Flying difficulty:   X

The ideal boat for learning to sail foils, even for beginners. Very few trim adjustments for foils allow you to enjoy all the excitement and joy of flying. The crew will only have to deal with sail trimming. The appendages with a soft-angled L guarantee take-off from 10 knots of wind. The shape of the bow works well even in waves. Price: 16,980 euros.

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Flo1 – 4.25 m

Flying difficulty:  X

An interesting single to approach and perfect in the world of small foilers before moving on to more sophisticated craft. Produced by the Dutch company Aeronamics, it has a soft, almost C-shaped foil. There is no adjustment of the rake of the appendages but only its extension in the water, which makes the “trim” of these appendages easy and intuitive after just a few trips. Top speeds are around 20 knots. Price: 15,495 euros.

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NACRA F20 – 6,20 m – Like America’s Cup cats

Flying difficulty:  XXX

The Nacra yard, which specializes in open catamarans and produces the Nacra 17 Olympic class, has fitted its F 20 model with a “Flight Control System” to make it fly. The Nacra 20 FCS was designed by Pete Melvin and Gino Morelli, the authors of the 2013 America’s Cup rulebook, and its foils are reminiscent of those on the AC72 in San Francisco. A very physical boat and not for everyone. Price: 34,000 euro.

Foiling Dinghy – 3,86 m – Small and versatile

It weighs 30 kilos and can be foiled as early as seven knots of wind. The Foiling Dinghy is equipped with an inverted T rudder and a pair of curved foils that act as both lifting and straightening foils, with an automatic management system. The foils have a few simple adjustments depending on what you want to achieve (more flying or more straightening). Price: 15,500 euros including taxes.

Moth – 3,35 m – The foiling cult dinghy

The progenitor of the flying dinghies is still one of the most complete single foilers on the market today. Suitable mainly for advanced sailors who already have experience on foils, it has appendages that offer multiple setting options and the possibility of being changed according to wind strength. The international class is one of the most active and always organizes very crowded races. Cult product. Price: from 20,000 euros.

Peacoq 14 – 4.70 m – Like a flying Fireball

Flying difficulty:  XX

With a hull that is vaguely reminiscent of the old Fireballs with a “cut” bow, the Peacoq 14, an evolution of the Club version, is a dinghy that can be a compromise for both novice and experienced foil sailors. In fact, the dinghies can be operated in automatic trim, or more experienced sailors can adjust their angle for maximum performance. Price: quote on request.

Persico 69F – 6,9 m – The trendy boat

This concept boat is the brainchild of the Italian racing elite (Giorgio Benussi, Dede de Luca, “l’oriundo” Maciel Cicchetti) and was designed by Argentineans Wilson and Marquinez. Flying the 69F is not too difficult, although it does require a good physique and strength in the arms, especially for the mainsail trimmer and the foil adjuster. The racing circuit has now been launched with an attractive programme. Price: rented by the season.

Skeeta – 3,35 m – Easy for anyone

Ease first. The idea behind Skeeta is the same as that of many other small foilers: to make this type of wing easy and open to everyone. Skeeta is a single glider that flies on two self-regulating appendages, not particularly technical to fly but still very high performance, with the particular shape of the hull that distinguishes all Quant models. Price: 15,345 euros.

Stunt S9 – 4,16 m – The Italian Foiling cat

This is an all-Italian One Design catamaran that can be sailed as a single with just a mainsail or even a jib depending on the weather conditions. Like other catamarans, to improve stability in flight, it moves on four submerged appendages. Physically it requires a certain amount of athleticism, also because there is a trapeze, but with a little training it can be suitable for a wide audience. Price: 16,600 euros.

Ufo – 3,00 m – Flying with two hulls

This small catamaran is equipped with a sensor that self-adjusts the inclination of the single central foil, coupled to the T of the rudder. It can take off even in light winds thanks to the lightness of its construction. The cat is quite easy to sail, suitable even for sailors who do not have much experience with foils.

The official european dealer for Foiling UFO is  Sea-Change . Price:  8.980 euros + VAT

Waszp – 3,35 m – For the whole family

Very similar to the Moth, but with one big difference: the Waszp is a monotype, it is not made of carbon and the appendages being monotyped cannot be changed. For this reason it is less expensive than the Moth, even if it does perform somewhat less well. It is considered by many to be an ideal “family” boat because it is fun for both young and old. The foil adjustment system is managed by a sensor, but it is possible to set the appendages and modify some adjustments. Price: 12,200 euros.

Whisper – 5,40 m – Full performance

As light as the highest performing Cats, it features a one-piece, non-removable platform that provides great structural rigidity. Equipped with the four classic self-adjusting appendages, it is able to set sail in light breezes with a certain ease. It is a double, with trapeze, mainsail, jib and gennaker, fast even in light winds. Physically demanding. Price: 26,900 euros.

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Home » Blog » Sail » Hydrofoil boats for the rest of us

Hydrofoil boats for the rest of us

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 18, 2023

Glide Free Foils Laser on foils. Photo credit: sailboats.co.uk ,

Watching foiling boats fly around the America’s Cup race course, is enough to quicken any sailor’s pulse. But unless you’ve got a spare few million kicking around, most hydrofoil boats are still very much out of the average boater’s budget . There are however a few ways to experience the magic of foiling without racing towards bankruptcy.

HOW DOES HYDROFOILING WORK?

Much in the same way that air flows over and under aircraft wings to create lift, water flowing around a hydrofoil lifts a boat’s hull out of the water . Once the greater part of the boat’s surface area is out of the water, friction is greatly reduced and the boat can “fly” at faster speeds .

How fast? The 2021 America’s Cup AC75s are expected to reach top speeds of 40 to 50 knots!

Like sails, foils are not a matter of “set it and forget it”, instead the foil-attitude must be adjusted to keep the boat in flight . On the 2017 America’s Cup boats these adjustments were made by the skipper/helmsman but powered (via a hydraulic system) by crew grinding winches (or in New Zealand’s case, pedal bikes ).

Because we don’t all have Jimmy Spithill ‘s magic touch, developing highly sophisticated flight control systems is key to bringing foiling into mainstream boating. Candela, a new 25-foot production e-foiling powerboat (and 2019 Best of Boats award winner) offers such a solution with foils that change position 100 times per second! Still, at ~$240,000 it’s well beyond most boating budgets. 

Fortunately, smaller foilers (dinghies and boards) don’t require high tech flight control systems and are far less expensive . Here are a few options for (more) affordable foiling:

HYDROFOIL DINGHIES

Laser foiling kits.

Clip a foil onto your Laser and fly over the surface of the water. Two Australian based companies, Foilsz and Glide Free Foils , offer Laser foiling kits. The Glide Free kit doesn’t require any permanent fixtures, so you can easily remove it (for those days when you’re in a displacement mode mood). They say that speeds of 18-25 knots are possible with their kit, which sells for just under $4,530 AUD (~$3,00 USD). 

UFO foiling multihull

For a few bucks more you can buy a foiling catamaran. The UFO was launched in 2017 and can fly at 15-20 knots. With a price tag of $7,000, it may be the most economical multihull foiler on the market.

Take a foiling course

Some clubs and community sailing programs are adding foilers to their fleets. For example Nantucket Community Sailing offers a 3-hour semi-private class for $100 per person . Or if you’re looking for a more exotic locale, the Provela Foiling Centre in Spain offers a range of foiling classes from beginner to advanced. Their two-day “Try Fly – Foiling” class costs 200 euros and their fleet includes Foiling Moths, White Formula Whispers, WASPZs, and F101s.

HYDROFOIL KITEBOARDS

It’s not like kiteboards are sluggish to begin with, but hydrofoil boards take the sport to a whole new level, delivering speeds of 40 miles an hour ! By using a foil to lift their boards out of the water, foiling kiteboard enthusiasts get an exceptionally quiet and smooth ride – so much so, that   kiteboard riders in Silicon Valley have been spotted taking calls on their cell phones. Set up costs start at around $1,000. Take a foil boarding course and buy protective gear, this extreme water sport is not for the faint of heart.

HYDROFOIL WINDSURF BOARDS

Foiling is taking off in the windsurfing world with world champions like Robby Naish and Atoine Albeau leading the charge. It has been confirmed that windfoiling will be a class at the 2024 Olympics in Paris . Set up costs start around $2,500. 

With foiling technology trickling down into the mainstream, you can expect to see more and more high speed foiling boats and boards on the water .  Is foiling the future? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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“iFLY15 is the unique combination of high performance with easy accessibility – for maximum performance and maximum fun.”

Cec catamarans -ifly15 team, “we love speed while keeping control – high speed needs to be controllable. the flying boat of the future, is a stable foiling sport catamaran.”, cec catamarans – ifly15 team, „ foiling: one of the things you have to experience to really feel it. “, jimmy spithill, skipper oracle team usa, “stable flight is the key to high performance sailing”, “ifly15 – get the balance right between a nice sporting challenge and a reasonable and controllable level – enjoy the exhilaration, the speed and the adrenaline in your veins, but always stay master of the situation “, “stable flight attitude is the most important prerequisite for high performance sailing.”, victor diaz de leon, sailgp team usa, “stable flight attitude is key for easy foiling. ifly15 with superior flight stability delivers immediate flying fun within the first minutes. advantage through high-tech.”, “the ifly15 is the quickest boat around the course, … “, arno terra – sailor, ifly 15 one design and ifly razzor pro, the  performance  foiling  catamaran, for maximum speed and maximum control.

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F oiling maneuvers are heavily supported, superior flight attitude through active foil control, dynamic control of f light high , pitch and role, non-linear control and feedback control system for best flight stability, even in waves, the foils do not need to be manually manipulated, optimized performance: advanced sailors can adjust rake and gearing, more about flysafe®>>>, active flight assistance, the foil can be trimmed actively while sailing, the key to maximum performance , mdt for performance-orientated pro sailor, mdt extends the flysafe® foil control, to sail large xxl rigs, more about main foil differential ->>>, performance downwind: staying on the foils, full foiling, in 5-6kts tws, reaching max. boat speeds of up to 2.5*tws, performance upwind: full foiling from 8kts. tws, taking off from 7kts tws, video youtube channel, ifly15 foiling catamaran.

The most innovative development in foiling technology

About ifly15, stable flight  is  key for both: first for highest performance and foiling in a wide wind range, including rough and wavy conditions, but also easy access into foiling…...

iFLY stands for uniqueness in design and function. Its superior Flysafe ® active foil control system autonomously supports the stable horizontal flight position in the longitudinal and lateral direction. The 4 T-Foils do not have to be operated by the sailor during sailing.

Average skilled dinghy or catamaran sailors with some trapeze experience can safely foil with the iFLY15 after only a few hours. Quick access – the immediate sensation of success – steep learning curve. In the hand of an experienced sailor, iFLY15 offers a whole new sailing experience with previously not experienced speeds and agile maneuverability.

The flight control system, combined with numerous fine-tuned innovations , ensures safe foiling even in strong winds and rough seas.. Stable flight attitude allows pushing hard, so in good conditions, iFLY reaches high boat speed beyond 30 knots in a controllable way.

IFLY15 offers freedom to fly alone or in pairs. Due to the exclusive use of high-tech materials , iFLY15 is extremely rigid and weighs less than 90 kilos ready to sail. With its low weight and its state-of-the-art hydrofoils, it is airborne in winds as low as 2Bft. / 6 Knots.

iFLY15 has a length of only 15 feet, is easy to transport, quick to get ready to sail, and can be easily slipped from the beach using a conventional beach trolley.

Its sophisticated design reflects the highest demands on quality and function.

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« I WAS INITIALLY AMAZED AT HOW EASY TO HANDLE THE IFLY IS AND AT HOW IDLE THE BOAT IS EVEN IN STRONG WINDS. »

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VERY STABLE, EXTRAORDINARY STABLE. IT IS EXTREMELY INTERESTING, BECAUSE YOU IMMEDIATELY SEE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BOAT.

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« GREAT BOAT, LIKE A MOTH ON STEROIDS ! »

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THE SINCE 7 YEARS PROVEN IFLY15 WITH FLYSAFE® DYNMAMIC FOIL CONTROL has now a pur Racing fellow: THE iFLY RAZZOR Pro. THE iFLY racing VERSION ENABLES EVEN HIGHER PERFORMANCE, to sail in extremely tough conditions and allows sailing with XXL rigs. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IFLY15 ONE DESIGN AND THE IFLY RAZZOR PRO IS A BIGGER RACING RIG, SPECIAL FOILS AND THE MAIN FOIL DIFFERENTIAL (MDT), WHICH IS MANUALLY TRIMMED BY THE SAILOR. THE MDT IS WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE FLYSAFE® DYNAMIC FOIL CONTROL SYSTEM.

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“We’re taking off! Foiling is THE Watersports Trend! – „Boot International 2024“ in Düsseldorf / Germany once again showcases: Foiling is THE trend in watersports.

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The Laser Foiling Breakthrough

The new FOILSZ makes foiling on a Laser simple (and great fun!)

Laser + FOILSZ = Foiling

Fit the FOILSZ kit in 10 minutes, rig your Laser and you´re away!

Laser Sailing Was Never More Fun

FOILSZ - Just Launched in 2019

Experience the thrill and exhilaration of foiling on a Laser

Ready For Your Laser

straight out of the box

Breakthrough Design

Turn Your Laser Into A Foiling Machine

If you have ever dreamed about foiling on your own boat but thought it would cost too much, this is what you need. The FOILSZ kit attaches easily to a standard Laser dinghy. Fit the foiling kit in 10 minutes, rig your Laser and off you go. It really is that simple. FOILSZ comes from the designer of the MACH2 Moth and WASZP so you know it´s going to work and work well.

Simple To Fit

Precision engineered to fit onto a standard Laser in just 10 minutes

No Modifications Required

Just rig your Laser as normally would

Easy To Launch

Launch from your beach trolley with foils in place

Thrilling To Sail

Laser sailing has never been so much fun

Affordable Foiling

Go foiling without breaking the bank.

Some Helpful

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse help topics.

• Miscellaneous
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What wind strength is need to foil?

Generally speaking, you should be up and foiling in around 10-12 knots of wind speed

Is there ride height adjustment?

How difficult is it to foil on a laser using foilsz, do i have to change my rig, can i use the 4.7, radial or full laser rig, are there any special rigging requirements, how much does a foilsz kit cost, how can i buy a foilsz kit.

You can buy your FOILSZ online using our online store click here

You can also buy FOILSZ through our international network of dealers

Do you ship world wide?

Will it fit all lasers, are there any modifications required.

The Best Laser Foiling

Why Choose FOILSZ?

Cutting edge design.

His designs dominate the world of dinghy foiling and FOILSZ are his latest design creation

Very Affordable

The FOILSZ kit is surprisingly affordable and makes foiling within reach of the average sailor. You don´t even need a recent Laser.

Brilliant Performance

FOILSZ just works. Foiling on a Laser is easier then you might think and performs brilliantly in a variety of wind and wave conditions.

Just For Fun

Because it´s just magnificent fun foiling on a Laser. You´ll love it from the first time you have ´lift off´ on your FOILSZ Laser.

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THE ONE DESIGN FOILER

World class foiling has never been more accessible. The WASZP is the perfect platform to enjoy one-design racing as well as a fun, friendly lifestyle where anything is possible!

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Product description

The WASZP project was conceived in 2010 and put into production in June 2016 by Andrew McDougall, designer of the world beating Mach 2 foiling Moth.

The Moth is a racing boat with very few rules and therefore has developed into a boat that is beautiful to sail on the water, but not the answer to everyone’s requirements for a sailing dinghy.

The concept was for a foiling platform that enables closer one-design racing, less complex rigging, affordable to all sailors while being accessible to a wider range of ages and weights. Creating a brand and culture that takes sailing into the mainstream.

Product highlights

Affordability – The most affordable foiling dinghy at $USD11,900

Accessibility – Simple ordering system and agent support in over 30 countries

Durability – Boat has been engineered to take the strain of learning right through to world class racing.

Learning platform – Forgiving learning platform, most sailors with a moderate amount of dinghy experience will foil in their first session.

Closest foiling racing in the world – The one-design nature provides the closest and most exciting foiling racing in the world!

Product Features

Easy set-up

Simple to rig – plug and play! Can be rigged and on the water in 10-15minutes

Simple control system and layout

We have taken the best bits from a Moth and simplified them to enable an enjoyable un-complicated experience for all sailors. There are enough controls to keep the sailing entertaining. Tuning is important and there is enough to play with for the experienced sailor.

Safety while foiling

The foil design was to create a fast, stable platform with good performance. The foils are not sharp and provide the safest experience for those learning to foil for the first time. Easy to right the boat after a capsize. - No side stays to run into.

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Professionally treated Many thanks for a fantastic boat and A LOT OF CREDIT to you for your "recall campaign". The boat was already close to perfect, but still you do updates free of charge "just in case". During 50 years of racing and buying different boats I have never been so professionally treated! You provide instruction films, you keep contact with us owners after the purchase and you make sure that quality is always at top level. Johan Axelson - Sweden

huge thank you Just wanted to say again a huge thank you for the absolutely exceptional Service...the parts arrived last night at the sailing club...not even 48 hours after I wrote you the first mail Sunday night!! You guys are really just brilliant...the product is superbe...initial sale is superbe and after Service is more than superbe!!! What else can I say...;-). Thanks a million. Pascal Radue -

Olympic class You deserve for your boats to be Olympic class. Not just for the experience they provide but also for the fantastic and fast support! Stuart Cerne -

Happy with my boat I bought my Waszp almost one year ago, I'm very happy with my boat! I had my first sail with another Waszp and it adds a lot of fun Pierre Dalibot - France

Wonderful customer service thank you for this wonderful customer service, we were back and forth between the Waszp and UFO and we are so happy we chose the Waszp, we love the boats and our kids love the boats. We have put nearly 30 10-15 year old's up on foils in seasonal New England in the US so its been fantastic. Mark Zagol - USA

Loving the boat I would like to say how impressed I am with the whole incident logging process and the upgrade package that has been done. Loving the boat and pretty much sail anytime the conditions suit. Even ditched the family on Xmas day to sail in the pm. Sean Paterson -

Exemplary Thanks a million for all your help and the whole super-fast building and delivery...your service is truly exemplary!!! Pascal - Singapore

Super light conditions We had real shifty and super light conditions (some gusts only at around 7 to 8 knots rest below)...even with this, my 9 year old son could get the boat to fly a few times consistently over some distance...he has only sailed Opti’s, Bytes and helmed our big boats up to now... so a real testimony how easy this boat is to sail. He weighs 36kg...As for me (around 75kg) I also got the boat up on the foils a few times...twice some distance...we used the cruiser foil and the small sail. So again a real testimony how easy the boat is to get it to fly, even more so given the fact that I think I had no more than 15 mins in total out of two afternoons as I could not get my son off the boat. Pascal - Singapore

Without coaching I had 2 excellent sailing days over the weekend, getting progressively more confident with the boat. No problems getting foiling in 10+ knots of wind, and can make progress upwind and downwind on foils. There are many crashes, but it's all part of the fun. The boat has been rock solid, so I'd say you guys have created exactly what you intended. I have no previous foiling experience, and have been sailing the Waszp entirely on my own without coaching, so the basic setup from the factory must be spot on. Jim Muir -

Now the fun begins Just a quick note to let you know delivery of WASZP was very efficient & on time. An excellent transport company. Well done all round. Now the fun begins! John Morton -

Exceeded my expectations The Waszp came just over two weeks ago. I've sailed it 7 times. EPIC is a good word to describe the sailing!!! Foiled every time but the first two sails involved lots of swimming of course. No problem foiling all the way across the lake now. Foiling gybes will take awhile but wow, so much fun!!! Everything about the boat is so solid. Thanks for taking the time to make it right. It's incredible and has totally exceeded my expectations with zero issues. Mike Dow - USA

Great experience Thank you for the support. You have been amazing. I never thought I would buy a boat over the internet but it has been a great experience. Robert Palter - Toronto

Foiling in the first 5 mins Went for the first sail last Wednesday, and it was amazing – super impressed. Putting the boat together I was concerned that it was going to be tricky to get stable flight with the wand screw control, main ride height control on the main foil, and the rudder control. Conditions were very gusty 4-12 knots... but was foiling in the first 5 mins, and super stable on the ride height. So well done!! No water in the boat after lots of capzises – impressive! Jon Bilger - New Zealand

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WHAT IS IT?

The UFO is a simplistic modern hydrofoiling boat, that allows anyone to fly through the air, freeing the hull from draggy water. More stable than the International Moth -or even a child’s pram- with a simple rig, and a set of fully retractable hydrofoils, all for $11,500 USD the UFO makes flying attainable. Thousands less than it’s nearest competition.  Built in the United States in high volume and quality control, the UFO maintains a one-design philosophy, creating close and exciting racing on foils!

FLY WITH THE UFO

• Designed and built in the USA
• $11,500 USD
• Compatible and rewarding to all skill levels
• Lightweight for easy maneuverability
• Solid, nearly dent-proof, hull
• Unique patented hull and rig designs
• Stable on and above the water
• Small footprint for carefree storage and shipping
• Takeoff from about 8knts of wind
• Fast, fun, easy to control foiling

FUN FOR ALL AGES

The wand system controlling the foils, which can be set to fly very high, very low (even ‘no fly mode’) and all points in between. This means you can progressively add challenges to your UFO experience as you feel ready for them, from ‘beginner mode’ all the way to ‘extreme mode’. Additionally, the highly tunable sail can be set up to provide only the amount of power that your body type needs, and no excess. This means that the UFO is accessible and fun for sailors of all sizes, ages and skill levels. Merely set up the boat for your skill level and body type and go play around.

The UFO is very broadly applicable and has flown payloads from 70 pounds -a tiny kid- to 270 pounds -a tall grown man and a teenage boy-. The foil package just needs power to climb. Ultra light sailors have been caught on camera flying in 5 knots of breeze and the baseline for 225 pound sailors to take off is 10 knots. 270 flies in 12 knots of breeze.

SETUP AND BREAKDOWN

While the boat can be left on shore with everything in place, but the sail down, that doesn’t mean the UFO isn’t easy to put together or take apart. Quite the opposite. Simplicity begets simplicity and the boat is a cinch to put together and take apart.

MANAGEABILITY

Being small is it’s own reward when it comes to handling the boat through all sailing experiences. When you start to really push yourself learning to foil, there are good odds you’ll manage to capsize it. The UFO is easy to right from capsizes and even full “turtle” inversions. This last part is critical, because when catamarans are too heavy to right from turtle the only option is to make the mast float. This has the unintended downside of making the boat very likely to blow away from you. The UFO is designed to stay right alongside you in the event you are separated from the boat. Additionally, the boat possesses an uncommon “park” mode in which it will hold station of its own accord, apparently indefinitely without external input of any kind. The full benefits of that upside have not begun to be fully exploited.

FOILING AT ALL POINT OF SAIL

The Fulcrum design team strictly adhered to the axion “if there’s a point of sail (say, upwind or downwind) that it can’t always foil on, you can’t call it a foiler”. The design team achieved their goal and the UFO is a fully flying boat on all points of sail, which drastically increases its fun-factor.

At what points of sail does the UFO foil at?

The UFO fully foils at all points of sail. Upwind, downwind and reaching.  Additionally, you can set it to  not foil when you’re tired and it will do that as well, so you can get home easily. These two factors make the UFO uniquely good for learning to foil.

Who can fly the UFO?

Within reason, anyone.

UFO pilots have ranged from 8 years old to 72, from 90 pounds to 235. Young sailors do well sailing as pairs or with a middleweight to light adult. It’s rare that anyone on the fulcrum team conceives of a boat with a narrow niche in mind. Why bother? It’s a mistake in yacht design to design a boat for a narrow range of users, when for the most part people are diverse and the objective of one-design boats is to garner large fleets. That said, the boat is likely to be most satisfactory in all wind conditions in the hands of teens, small and medium men and all women. At the extreme low end of the weight range, sailors may find themselves overpowered and at the extreme high end, the wind speed required for takeoff is about two knots higher than average. UFOs have been sailed “two up” as well, though the above limits of weight range still apply to the sum of the two sailors weights.

What wind and waves can I fly a UFO in?

The UFO will sail in practically any wind condition. However, it’s important to remember that with all sailboats there are days that are great to sail in and days where you do something else.

While the UFO can at times with a skilled skipper take off in very low wind speeds, the baseline for reliable flight is around eight knots. Trying to squeeze enough power to fly out of too little wind is tiresome and in those circumstances, it’s best to do something else. In 8 knots and above, flying is magical and unforgettable. In under 8 knots, the UFO reverts to being a pleasant displacement catamaran and goes from being exciting and fast to relaxing and tactical. This is another benefit of being a catamaran.

Over the last six years the UFO has proven to be uniquely good at flying safely and consistently in very high windspeeds. In multi-class foiling regattas the UFO has proven to be the only foiler built to date that simply  loves  high windspeeds. In winds above 22 knots when other foiling boats make for shore, the UFO wants to keep playing. The upper wind limit is more a matter of taste and skill. UFOs have been sailed in 36 knots, but that requires a great deal of skill and focus.  The UFO rig having shared DNA with a windsurf rig seems to play a part in the boat’s remarkable ability to get a kick out of big wind. Since the upper wind limit on the UFO is so much higher, this makes the number of optimal days to fly a UFO (if skilled in sailing one) higher per year than with any other production foiling boat.

Most chop and wave conditions present no issue for a UFO set for the days’ conditions. After all, powered hydrofoils were first developed by various leading Navy’s as a means of smoothly flying over challenging sea-states. Choking up the ride height helps the UFO fly smoothly through the bottom of the wave pattern, undeterred. Rolling seas present even less issue, as the UFO will ride along them just like any other. Extremely tight and tall chop can be very annoying, which is not peculiar to the UFO.

Waves do effect baseline windspeeds to achieve takeoff. Imagine getting a plane to take off on a bumpy runway. This is true for all hydrofoil boats. In choppy water, ten to twelve knots can be necessary to achieve fully easy takeoffs. Some UFO sailors use aggressive kinetic techniques to overcome this and take off in choppy water and low wind.

Will I fly my first time out?

Most people do, but bear in mind that flying is a whole new experience and it takes some learning.

Conditions, setup and technique matter and if you use it incorrectly, you are likely to get some degree of incorrect results. That’s the challenge that the UFO is built to address. Over six years on the market and over 500 boats delivered, the UFO has proven to be the best and most reliable platform for ordinary sailors to reliably teach themselves foiling technique on.

What happens when I crash my UFO into something?

You’ll probably do some damage to it.

The UFO is built with durability as a core objective but it’s worth noting that the gulf between “Feather light under engineered ragged-edge high performance craft” and “literally indestructible” is extremely wide. The UFO represents neither of these extremes. Do not attempt your first flight inside a densely packed mooring field. Obstacles only make you better once you’ve mastered the basics.

How easy is it to rig a UFO?

Best in class, vs other foiling boats on the market. With that said, it’s not easier than doing nothing. Doing nothing is very easy! Putting a boat together is worthwhile but obviously involves effort.

The current cartop to launched speed record is roughly 15 minutes. Socket the mast together. Attach the boom and stays in one go. Step the rig. Flip the boat on its side, insert the foils, right the boat, hoist the sail and launch. Complexity is best avoided.

Leaving the UFO on a dock or a beach with the rig in and the foils simply in the “up” position, achieves an ease of daily use on par with any light beach cat. To go foiling all you need to do is hoist the sail with the halyard, clip the sail to the boom and attach the downhaul line and you’re ready to launch. This brings setup and breakdown to a matter of five minutes or less.

How do I launch and land a UFO?

Far far far more easily than any other foiling boat on the market.

Because the UFO is a very small catamaran, while floating the hulls float relatively deep in the water and create lateral resistance, like the hulls on a hobie 16 or hobie wave. This means that it can sail upwind without a daggerboard of any kind in the water. This is not the case with non-catamaran foilers. The rudder is outfitted with a friction brake and a down-halyard to allow its depth to vary and allow steering in shallow water. So from 16 inches of water and beyond, you can sail away from and back to shore reliably.

Because the UFO’s forward foil assembly is located  in front of  the mast, the UFO can tack and gybe while the forward foil is fully withdrawn from the water. This is unique. It allows the UFO to navigate reliably in the period between launching or landing and flying. The benefits for usability and safety cannot be overstated.

Once you’ve got to deep enough water, lower your foils fully and fly away!

That’s if you’re using a dolly.

If you aren’t using a dolly, the UFO has even more party tricks to show off. Since the foils withdraw to above the waterline of the hull, the hull can be beached or slid up onto a dock float or boat deck without any risk to damaging the foils. The UFO is a boat that’s eager to go sailing.

Can I easily cartop a UFO?

At this hull weight, the boat is very easy to put on top of a car, and its flat bottoms allow it to be strapped down hard with no drama. The other components of the boat collapse down to the point of easily fitting in a standard hatchback.

Where can I store my UFO?

Anywhere you can carry it to. Anywhere it fits.

Behind couches, under beds, under porches, in basements, inside larger boats, chained to apartment fire escapes, hanging in garages. Anywhere it can go that’s convenient for your lifestyle is a good place for it to go.

Why does X look like Y? Surely it would be better to make it like Z.

Just trust us.

If you’ve thought of it, we’ve weighed the pros and cons and its been included or excluded for good reason. Creating a boat that can be produced at an affordable price, for a wide range of sailors with a maximum quantity of accessible performance is an extremely hard target to hit. The UFO meets all of its objectives and does so by blatantly ignoring a few conventions and norms. You simply don’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

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Class Contact Information

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Class Email

Class Website

One-Design Class Type: Foiling

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both

Approximately how many class members do you have? 75+

Photo Credit:Waszp Games 2017 – Martina Orsini

Photo Credit:

About Waszp

The Waszp is a singlehanded, one-design foiler. Designed by Andrew McDougall, the Waszp offers affordable foiling on a robust boat. The class has a place for everyone; there is a large contingent of sailors who race the boat at a high level while other sailors keep the boat at their local yacht club and go for a rip around the bay!

Boats Produced: 1000+

Class boat builder(s):

McConaghy Builders

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 175

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

Toms River, NJ Charleston, SC Newport, RI San Francisco, CA Oyster Bay, NY Miami, FL Honolulu, HI

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  1

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  140-200 lbs

Portsmouth Yardstick Rating:   N/A

Boat Designed in  2016

Length (feet/inches): 11′

Beam: 7’5″

Weight of rigged boat without sails: 100 pounds

Draft: 4’6″

Mast Height: 17’6″

Tuning Guides

Class rules (pdf doc).

Back to One-Design Central

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

FOILING MADE EASY  

The Foiling Dinghy Concept  

• the foiling dinghy is an affordable, purpose built, dual foil, light weight, easy to launch and easy to foil sailing dinghy. • stable and forgiving in flight, yet exciting to sail, and aimed at the adept club sailor. • complexity is reduced to a minimum, with dual foils that are self-adjusting and self-tacking. • the foiling dinghy has the ease of sailing as a laser, the lightness of an rs aero, and enables safe and fun foiling performance..

EASY TO FOIL 

SAFE BUT FUN 

DURABLE 

• Very stable and controlled flights
• Reduced complexity, as easy to sail as a Laser 
• Fully self adjusting foils
• Very forgiving, no hard crashes
• Self tacking foil system
• Extremely light with a 30kg hull  
• No potential dangers from standing rigging or foils to crash into
• Wide hull for great stability,  also enabling easy launching and stable low riding 
• Mast track to lower the sail on the water if needed
• Excellent grip from DECKIT to make sure you stay where you are 
• Strong foils you can even stand on for capsize recovery 
• Robust strong construction which allows you to step everywhere
• Shock absorbing foil and rudder bearings
• Easy to maintain 

Sailing - strengthen your body and mind

Rya virtual dinghy show 2021.

Countdown finished! come and see Dynamic- Sailing and The Foiling Dinghy  at the RYA Dinghy show 2021

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Boat of the Year 2020 F101: Best Foiler

• By Dave Reed
• Updated: December 10, 2019

At A Glance

Price As Sailed: $24,750

Design Purpose: Learn to foil, advance skills

Crew List: One or two

Rob Andrews and his ­business partner Alan Hillman have been teaching foiling for a few years now, and one thing they’ve learned is we get better by sailing, not by swimming. Thus was the genesis of the F101, a craft with which they could teach the fundamentals of foiling—without the crash and burn. But it’s not just a learn-to-foil boat, either. It’s a platform with which new and experienced converts alike can take their ­foiling skill set to a higher level.

The key to mastering the F101, Andrews explains, is grasping righting moment. With the trimaran platform, you get plenty of it, as well as a stable boat that’s more forgiving than any other small foiler. “The trimaran configuration gives you righting moment direct from the foil in the middle hull,” he says, “and gives a measure of safety. It’s hard to capsize the boat.”

The judges learn as much when it comes time to sail the F101. In 15 knots and more, and a steep Chesapeake chop, Powlison is first to give it a go. He settles into the boat, gets his bearings, perches skittishly on the weather hull, sheets on the mainsail (no need to use the boat’s gennaker above 12 knots) and off he goes like a bat out of hell, popping up on the foils without even trying.

“The trick is getting used to the sensation of heeling to windward,” he says. “It takes a bit of trust. Once foiling, it’s quiet and fast, and I felt like I had to be really active on the mainsheet to keep it on the foils.”

That’s true of any foiler, but the beauty of the F101, the judges agree, is when you do lose it, it’s no big deal. The boat drops off its foils, the bows auger in and you get a face full of water; but just reset, bear away and try again.

“The hull shape picks up the buoyancy gently,” Stewart says, “which makes it depress smoothly and prevents it from pitchpoling. When I dumped it a few times I thought I was going in, but not a chance. You quickly realize there’s plenty of floatation there to save you. In flat water, with one day of training you’d get up to speed quickly.”

When teaching people to foil, Hillman starts with “skimming,” a ride height barely above the surface. As the sailor becomes more accustomed to how the boat behaves, there’s a simple line adjustment at the foil head: Dial it up one setting and increase your ride height.

As you’re sailing, the foil wand hanging behind the trailing edge effectively feels where the boat is riding relative to the water and actuates the main flap. In light winds, it gives you more lift, and the boat pops up on the foil. Get too high, and the wand drops down even ­further, forcing negative lift on the flap, which brings you back down to your desired height and prevents the foils from breaking the surface.

In terms of construction, the judges praise its carbon-and-epoxy build quality and the all-up weight of 180 pounds, which makes it easy to get to and from the water. With the F101 sitting on its dolly in the boat park, going sailing is as simple as pulling back the covers, hoisting the main and launching from a dock, beach or boat ramp with minimal fuss.

“What I like about it is that it’s one of those boats that you buy and don’t need to add anything to it,” Allen says. “There’s ­nothing to change out or upgrade.”

For simplicity, the boat is set up with adjustments that let you ratchet up the experience as you climb the learning curve. On the rudder foil, for example, there is a clear numbering system so that as you twist the tiller extension, you change the rudder rake. The baseline setting is zero, and it’s the same for the main foil. The only thing left is to balance the forces with the mainsheet.

“When I first got up on the foils, I was thinking to myself, ‘This is too easy; I should be working harder,’ ” Powlison says. “As they said, this boat solves a lot of the problems associated with other foiling dinghies. It’s a great high-performance boat that represents the next step in making foiling accessible to the public.”

See All Winners

Other Winners:

• 2020 Boat of the Year
• Best Crossover
• Best Multihull
• Best Foiler
• Best Dinghy
• More: BOTY , boty 2020 , foils , Sailboats
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The Nikki is the latest foiling dinghy from our Australian partners at "Skeetafoilingcraft". A boat that we adults wish we had already had, when we started sailing.

Nikki - "Game Changer" in the Youth Segment

An open, modern dinghy suitable for learning to sail with body tension and for a playful, competitive approach to foiling boats. While it is intended for youth development in sailing clubs or in a private setting - we also see more petite, lightweight adults as a target group.

Short portrait Nikki

• First without...

For juniors, who e.g. change from the Optimist to the Nikki, it makes sense to leave the foils on land in the beginning and get used to a new sitting position, foot straps and more sensitive steering as well as higher speeds while gliding.

• ...then with foils

The Nikki on the foils opens up new horizons for young sailors and a previously unknown, intense sailing experience, without being exposed to significant dangers, as long as the right equipment such as helmet and safety vest is worn. To further minimize the risk of injury, the boat has various safety features.

• New motivation and skills show effect

It is undisputed that the new experiences of sailing on foils have a motivating effect and increase the general sailing level of the young sailors. The higher speeds, the handling of the apparent wind, the need to constantly monitor the perfect sail trim, to dose and coordinate the use of the body and to combine reaction speed with fine tiller control - all this sharpens the senses in young sailors.

Foiling is both challenging and rewarding.

And this is exactly what the young sailors will benefit from if they continue to race in conventional boats.

• Nikki - the younger sister of Skeeta

The concept and construction are similar to those of the Skeeta. But it takes even less time to get the Nikki off the car roof and onto the water. The wings are attached or detached in seconds. The unstayed, two-piece and pluggable carbon mast has mast lower parts of different lengths depending on the sail size. This allows a quick sail change. The foil system is identical to that of the Skeeta.    

9.5 feet / 2.90 m

1.02m / 1.80 m (incl. wings), hull weight, 5.5 / 6.5 m2 (optional), crew weight, flyer with a lot of further information.

The topic of "foiling" is for many still very new - we are happy to share our knowledge and experience with you.

Sailing redefined

Switzerland.

QUANTBOATS AG Seeburgstrasse 41 CH - 6006 Lucerne [email protected]

STEFAN HESS www.hess-sailcoaching.com [email protected]

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Clinton Sailing Club > Boats > UFO Foiler

The UFO is a modern design hydrofoiler, based on recent technological advances in sailing hydrofoils, that allows anyone to fly above the water. The UFO features a simple rig and a set of fully retractable foils, all for under $8,000. The UFO provides the easiest and most affordable foiling experience, while maintaining a one-design philosophy creating close and exciting racing on foils!

UFO price: $7,600 Fleet price (2): $15,200

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Monofoil: The pocket rocket that can foil in just 8 knots of breeze

• Matthew Sheahan
• October 1, 2019

Built and developed in secret, the 8m Monofoil is a super-fast one-off foiling monohull, originally designed as a lake racer

The spectacle of a flying catamaran, be it an Olympic Nacra 17, a GC32, the recent America’s Cup 50-footers, or anything in between, has become almost normal in today’s racing world, so rapid has the shift to foiling been among multihulls.

But, even 17 years after they first appeared, the sight of a diminutive foiling Moth still turns heads. Foilers don’t have to be big to be impressive, balancing a single hull on a single foil is enough. Like those who can ride a unicycle, there’s something awe-inspiring about watching sailors who have pitch perfect balance fly a twitchy monohull while making it look like the most natural thing in the world.

There have been plenty of attempts to bring monohull foiling to bigger boats and to the masses. Yet no one has yet cracked the code, at least not for production boats.

Little surprise then, that whenever a new monohull foiler comes onto the scene it attracts plenty of attention. One of the latest is the 8m Swiss-built Monofoil. This extraordinary and complex looking boat is essentially a sportsboat with an open cockpit but with outrigger foils, like bicycle stabilisers, that generate righting moment by pushing upwards on the leeward side.

She was designed by Swiss match racing sailor Eric Monnin and built by Damian Weiss, both of whom shared a common goal: to create a fast foiling monohull for the European lakes.

Interestingly, neither had any desire to create a production version, nor tell the world that this was the answer for others. Instead, they simply wanted to find out if they could fly fast enough on one hull to stand a chance of winning some of the big prizes at Europe’s top lake races, including the famous Bol D’Or Mirabaud.

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Launched in the spring of 2018 after two years of secret development, the initial signs looked good as the 8m sportsboat delivered an impressive opening performance, topping 25 knots on one of her first outings.

After a winter of tweaking and refining, where the team had increased the foils by 20% and reduced her overall weight by 50kg, the Monofoil was back afloat for this season. Shortly after her re-launch at Easter, it was clear that the team had raised the game.

“We can now foil upwind in just 8 knots of breeze,” said Monnin. “And when the breeze builds to 12 knots we are travelling at 16-20 knots at a true wind angle of around 50-60°. When it comes to downwind performance we can happily sit at 22 knots in 12 knots of wind with the gennaker. After that, when the breeze is up to 15-20 we are holding 24-27 knots with just the main and jib,” he continued.

The carbon bowsprit is 1.2m long and cants so the tack of the gennaker can be set further to windward, allowing the Monofoil to sail deeper

All impressive stuff for an 8m monohull. This is a proper pocket rocket that weighs just 650kg and can be rigged off the road trailer and launched in a couple of hours. Indeed, Monnin explains, her performance was in part limited by the need to keep the maximum beam down to 2.5m to meet European towing regulations.

Single hull foiling

So how does the Monofoil work? Setting the foils to one side to start with, the 8m long sportsboat flies a self-tacking jib upwind and a gennaker off a canting bowsprit downwind. She is designed to be raced by a full crew of four, including the helmsman, with two on trapezes to boost the righting moment.

She has a large square-topped mainsail that makes full use of the available space in a sail plan that sees the boom extend all the way to the transom where a full width traveller allows plenty of mainsheet tension to keep the head of the main stand up. This does mean she has a pair of running backstays rather than a single fixed stay, but double aft swept spreaders provide sufficient fore and aft support for the mast.

The foil deployed, but in the raised position. Normally it wouldn’t be underwater but the boat was heeled at the dock

Being a potent performer, she sails at high apparent wind speeds with the apparent wind ahead of the beam. This makes the full width mainsheet traveller an important feature to allow the mainsail to be dropped down to leeward while still maintaining leech tension, much like a multihull.

Her rudder is mounted on a transom-hung gantry to ensure greater efficiency for the T-foil blade. The rake of the rudder can be adjusted to alter the fore and aft trim of the boat.

While the foils look large and complex, their operation is surprisingly simple and belie the amount of work that has gone into designing a complete system that allows the curved foils to slide through a set of bearings in the hull.

A simple rope-driven worm drive alters the rake of the T-foil rudder, which in turn alters the trim of the boat. The rudder is mounted on a gantry off the transom to minimise cavitation

Much like the Beneteau Figaro 3, the idea is that both boards are lowered when sailing. Yet unlike the Figaro, the windward board is lifted partially to help raise it above the water’s surface and reduce the chances of it becoming immersed where it would create drag.

The clever part is the small amount of movement that is required to lift and lower the boards, especially when compared to the amount of movement required to raise and lower daggerboards on a modern multihull.

Also unlike the Figaro, the Monofoil’s boards are fully retracted in light winds. With very little of the foil in the water there is minimal drag and the boat can be sailed like any other monohull.

A custom bearing lets the daggerboard slide vertically to be raised or lowered. Rake is adjusted by the green line winding a worm drive

In these conditions the skinny and efficient 2.2m deep keel, with its 160kg bulb, is a good combination when the breeze is below 8 knots and allows the Monofoil to perform like any other similarly sized sportsboat.

The dihedral (upwards angle) of the foils is also an interesting feature that provides a degree of automatic heel control. As the boat accelerates and comes upright, so less of the foil is in the water, which reduces vertical lift.

Deceptively simple

At rest this boat does look pretty complex, yet once she’s rigged and underway you realise how simple she is to operate as well as how much effort has gone into designing her that way.

Below decks the full carbon construction is clear to see

This is an ingenious trailer-sailer that will fly in light conditions and be stable on foils right up through the wind range, something the crew demonstrated during this year’s Mirabaud Bol d’Or. As a vicious 50-plus knot storm swept through the fleet, she and her crew were one of the few to survive unscathed and go on to complete the overnight race.

The irony remains that – unlike many others in the Bol d’Or – this is not a boat that was intended to be the prototype for a new range of production foilers, even though she appears to provide answers to plenty of questions.

The bottom line is that the Monofoil seems to work. Irrespective of what speeds she clocks up, what is most impressive is how she performs across such a wide range of wind speeds.

Rectangular cut-outs in the hull allow the foil to be lowered completely on the leeward side. The windward foil is raised slightly in a similar way to pulling up a normal daggerboard

The Monofoil is no one-trick pony and while the concept wasn’t created for production, it could provide an appealing route for those who are realistic about their ability to learn how to balance like a Moth sailor, or ride a unicycle.

Specification

LOA: 8.0m (26ft 3in) Beam: 2.5m (8ft 2in) Displacement (empty): 850kg (1,874lb) Mast height: 12.2m (40ft 0in) Mainsail area: 32m 2 (345ft 2 ) Headsail area: 16m 2 (172ft 2 ) Gennaker area: 50m 2 (538ft 2 )

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Best hydrofoil boats: 6 of the most spectacular foiling motorboats money can buy

• Electric boats
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Foiling technology has really taken off in the past few years. We pick out 6 of the best hydrofoil boats you can buy right now…

With its roots in the 19th century, foiling technology is as old as the hills, but in the past five years we’ve noticed an explosion of hydrofoil boats coming onto the market.

In part inspired by the foiling raceboats of the America’s Cup , the popularity of foiling is easy to understand – fuel efficiency gains are substantial, noise is almost eliminated (particularly if your foiling boat also happens to be an electric boat ) and they look as cool as a snowman in a freezer!

To help you understand the dizzying array of foiling boats available right now, we’ve put together the following guide to what we think are the most promising designs out there.

6 of the best hydrofoil boats

SEAir foiling RIB

Founded in 2016, French yard SEAir builds foiling RIBs, having been inspired by the speed of foiling racing yachts.

We tested their 5.5m model back in 2018 and since then they have expanded their range to cover superyacht chase boats, commercial and military vessels.

Our tester recorded a top speed of 32 knots, with the foils doing their best work at around 20 knots, but SEAir claims that 42 knots is possible in the right conditions.

Read more about the SEAir foiling RIB

Article continues below…

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A dual helm set-up allows the boat to be piloted from the bow or the cockpit. Photo: Guillaume Plisson

Enata Foiler

Dubai-based Enata Marine added a healthy dose of glamour to the world of foiling boats in 2018 with the launch of its Foiler.

In addition to a superyacht tender-worthy exterior, this 32fter includes a bow window for spectacular views while underway.

A 40-knot top speed and a 190nm range makes this a very appealing option, although the premium price tag of $938,000 may put some off.

Read more about the Enata Foiler

Princess R35

When British boatbuilding giant Princess Yachts got in on the foiling boat game in 2019 with a 35ft carbon-fibre dayboat, we knew that things had really taken off.

While the foil-assisted R35 may not have the spectacular cruising-above-the-waves appeal of some other foiling boats, it is highly efficient, beautifully designed (in collaboration with Pininfarina) and handles like nothing else we’ve ever driven.

In our review, we praised its rare combination of agility, refinement and stability, with spray kept in check impressively at high speeds.

Read more about the Princess R35

The foiling Candela C-8 is the first boat to use Candela’s proprietary C-POD, but bigger craft will follow later

Candela C-8

Swedish firm Candela burst onto the scene in 2021 with its debut, the Candela C-7 , which was billed as the world’s first electric foiling boat, but it was the 2022 launch of the Candela C-8 that really moved the game on.

Available with a 69kWh battery, adapted from the Polestar 2 electric car, owners can expect a range of 57nm at 22 knots, more than enough for dayboat use.

The consumption figures are truly staggering, with Candela’s figures suggesting that the C-8 is more than 12x more efficient than an equivalent 300hp outboard powered sportsboat.

Read more about the Candela C-8

The electric Iguana is capable of three knots on the land and 30 knots at sea

Iguana Foiler

Not content with being at the forefront of the amphibious boats market with its caterpillar-track offering, French yard Iguana has set its sights on the world of foiling too.

Announced last year, the Iguana Foiler will be powered by the world’s most powerful electric outboard engine, the 300hp Evoy Storm .

Having tested both the engine and the boat separately, we can’t wait to see the result when they come together with the added advantages of foiling technology. Watch this space…

Read more about the Iguana Foiler

The foils lift up at slow speeds to reduce the draft

Mantaray M24

Another exciting model in the hydrofoil boats pipeline, this 24ft runabout is particularly interesting is its simplicity. Unlike its main foiling rival, the Candela C-7, the Mantaray M24 requires no complicated electronics to ‘fly’.

Instead it uses the builder’s patented mechanical hydrofoil system, which it has trademarked as Dynamic Wing Technology or DWT. The technology is said to be the result of ten years’ development work and uses a retractable T-foil in the bow and H-foil amidships that self-stabilise mechanically.

This allows it to lean naturally into corners and ride serenely over waves without relying on a network of sensors and algorithms to monitor and adjust the foils. If it proves effective this could drastically reduce the cost and complexity of foiling boats, while simultaneously increasing reliability.

Read more about the Mantaray M24

It doesn’t end here, with fascinating one-off projects from Spirit Yachts and BMW on the water, it’s clear that foiling has a huge potential for transforming the world of boating.

Read more about hydrofoil technology

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EF-24 PASSENGER

A groundbreaking 100% electric foiling ferry designed to revolutionise passenger transport

CRUISE SPEED

Foiling range*.

*Performance figures provided are the maximum achievable dependant on variables including vessel specification, load, sea state and temperature.

Future of maritime transport

Introducing the world's first 100% electric foiling passenger ferry for commercial operations, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger.

A cost-effective smart mobility enabler which produces zero emissions in operation. The Artemis EF-24 Passenger ferry allows cities across the globe to unlock the potential of previously untapped waterways, address congestion and reduce harmful emissions.

Key features

World first technology

Artemis Technologies has developed the world’s first 100% electric foiling passenger ferry that will meet the International Maritime Organization’s High Speed Craft code.

The Artemis EF-24 Passenger is powered by our world-leading Artemis eFoiler® technology which has been rigorously tested to ensure unparalleled ride comfort and performance in the toughest conditions.

Passenger comfort

Experience a journey like no other with the groundbreaking Artemis EF-24 Passenger. This cutting-edge foiling ferry effortlessly glides above the waves, ensuring a smooth journey that removes the usual bumpy ride and associated seasickness.

Its 100% electric propulsion contributes to a more enjoyable journey, free from air and water pollution, reducing noise and aligning with global net zero initiatives. This promotes a more sustainable mode of transport.

Better for business

Set to provide an immediate transport solution that competes economically with road and rail, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger offers operators significant OPEX savings.

Compared to a conventional high-speed diesel ferry, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger has a much lower OPEX due to the increased energy efficiency, fuel cost savings and reduced maintenance costs.

Minimal wake, maximum Impact

The reduced wake of the Artemis eFoiler® system means our revolutionary ferry can avoid local speed restrictions. This significantly reduces journey time by allowing for high-speed operations close to shore while limiting damage to shorelines or anchored vessels.

The Artemis EF-24 Passenger balances the requirement for people to continue to move around with the need to reduce carbon emissions.

With its advanced technology, this high-speed ferry will revolutionise the way people travel within cities, producing zero emissions, contributing to smarter urban mobility.

Journey for miles, charge in minutes

A true testament to innovation and sustainability, the Artemis EF-24 Passenger is 100% electric – powered by our revolutionary Artemis eFoiler® electric propulsion system.

With ultra-fast charging capability, a full charge can be achieved in less than 60 minutes, allowing for seamless and uninterrupted journeys. Requiring minimal servicing in contrast to conventional diesel engines, the ease of charging further solidifies the Artemis Technologies' commitment to efficiency and lower environmental impact.

Sustainability

Charting a course towards a more sustainable maritime future, we are committed to pioneering sustainable solutions that help to redefine the maritime industry and tackle the global climate challenge.

From developing vessels that produce zero emissions in operation to innovative design tools, our journey towards sustainability guides everything we do. Join us on a journey as we navigate towards cleaner seas and a brighter tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

How does the artemis ef-24 passenger perform in rough weather.

Performance of our Artemis eFoiler® technology has been validated during sea trials in the Irish Sea against its gasoline displacement sistership. Energy efficiency, ride comfort and wake creation of the two vessels has been recorded whilst operating across a wide range of weather conditions.

We are working with DNV towards class approval where we've engineered the Artemis EF-24 Passenger to be approved for operation in 2.5m significant wave height while foiling and 4m in displacement mode.

How long is the delivery time?

The delivery time of your vessel will depend on what variables you choose. Please contact us to discuss a build slot.

How does the Artemis EF-24 Passenger provide a comfortable ride?

Foiling above the waves removes the usual bumpy ride and associated seasickness while our autopilot flight control system autonomously controls the ride height, roll and pitch of the craft.

Our eFoiler® vessels

EF-12 Escape

Smart mobility.

EF-12 Workboat XL

Unlock the potential of your waterways.

Construction of the Artemis EF-24 Passenger is rapidly progressing. With build slots filling up, ferry operators are encouraged to secure their spot in line to be among the first to experience the benefits of this new technology. Please get in touch to find out more.

Classic look hydrofoiling electric boat debuts in Moscow

A team in Russia has developed this sleek hydrofoiling electric boat with a retro-tech classic runabout look, both inside and out.

The boat is called the Molniya – Russian for ‘lightning’ – and uses fixed surface piercing (SP) foils rather than the retractable inverted-T fully submerged (FS) type on boats like the Candela 7 .

The Molniya prototype was built by Artem Markov and a small team he assembled in Moscow. Markov is a graduate of the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute, where he was part of their Formula MADI electric car racing team that competed against other universities from around the world.

Hydrofoiling electric boat idea started in 2016

Like many other electric boat developers he is also a long time sailor and says “ I have never been able to understand what is the beauty of going on motor boats with a lot of vibration and noise. So, I decided I wanted to find a way to transfer the silence and comfort of a sailing yacht to a boat. The idea came to me in 2016, and from that moment I started working on the project .”

He is a big fan of the work that the team at Candela has been doing, and is well versed in their reasonings of why hydrofoiling is the way to reduce drag and increase efficiency and comfort. So he knew foiling was the way to go and began to design his dream boat.

It is one thing to know exactly what one wants, but b udget realities quite often make inventors adapt. So he found a classic fibreglass-and-aluminum hull and went to work redesigning and converting it. The team had to strengthen and reinforce the hull to handle the stresses from the front foils. At the stern of the boat they designed  protruding half-wings that would help lift the boat onto those front SP foils as it accelerated.

80kW motor mounted to stern drive unit 

That gives the 8.9 m • 29 ft boat a cruising speed of about 20 kts • 37 km/h and maximum speed of 36 kts • 66km/h. As for range, the Molniya can go for 135 Nautical miles at 5 kts, 17 Nm at 25 kts and 20 Nm at the top speed. 

For the battery, they have taken stock lithium-ion cells and developed the modules themselves. The size is 160kW and there are some creative and useful ideas incorporated into the charging and battery management systems. One is the ability to connect a warning system to a GPS route so if you are driving at a speed that is taking yo u beyond range of getting back to shore the motor will automatically slow down. When you do get back, a full 0-100% charge takes 3.5 hours and you can check status through SMS.

One of the intriguing things about the Molniya is that all of the electric boat technology has been incorporated into a striking overall retro look. The dashboard looks like it might have been taken from a 1950s luxury car catalogue, but of course the actual meters are all digital. The interior of the entire boat harkens back to an earlier day, appearing ready to whisk 6 passengers off to a swing era supper club.

From prototype to production

Having built and tested the prototype from an existing hull, the goal of Markov and the team is to move to production mode and use the materials he always envisioned in his dream boat. While the aluminum and fibreglass of the original have been useful for testing, speed and range will benefit from materials like much lighter carbon-kevlar.

The adapted stern drive was useful for proving the hydrofoiling electric boat concept, but all of the designers and engineers are keen to see the improved efficiency they will get from a motor, drive and battery system they have designed from scratch for the Molniya. As for the foils themselves, the production model will use lighter, thinner composites instead of stainless steel.

Obviously the spring and summer of 2020 has not provided the best opportunities to introduce the prototype at boat shows and stir up interest with consumers, the trade or investors. It seems, though that the Molniya is the type of boat that should appeal to peopl looking for the same thing Artem wanted for himself: a classic motor boat experience but one that is quiet, odour free…and smooth sailing.

You can find out more on the Molniya website, lightning-foil.com .

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5-day sailing course on board of a cruising yacht. The main objective of the course is to teach basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, basic sail trim, helm commands, seamanship and safety.

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The Musings of a Hopeless Wanderer

Engaging in the eternal search for the meaning of life...or a good time.

• Netherlands

Monday, September 3, 2018

Tackling moscow by train and boat.

Our first full day in Moscow started fairly late since we were still catching up on sleep.  Around 1, we finally were able to get our act together and get out the door. 

We stopped by a cafe to get some breakfast and headed over to the Red Square.  Since the festival is going on, we had to go through metal detectors.  Once we cleared security, we reached the State Historical Museum which provided an entrance to the Red Square.

We walked the length of the Red Square, passing by the Kazan cathedral.

Under normal conditions, the Red Square is a large walking area with the State Historical Museum on one end and St. Basil's on the other end.  On the sides is the Kremlin wall on one side and then the GUM shopping mall and the Kazan cathedral on the other side.  Presently, the walking area has been considerably narrowed and the fesitval grounds occupying a large space between the Kremlin and the mall.

We even asked a stranger to take our picture!

After walking around the Red Square, we had to leave to meet up with our Metro Tour.  

Moscow has famously pretty metro stations so metro tours are quite popular.  We booked a relatively inexpensive tour through a tour group which met outside of the Red Square.

On our way, we passed by the Kremlin gardens and the tomb to the unknown soldier and the eternal flame.

We soon met up with our group which, fortunately, was only 5 people.  Our guide told us that we were going to visit 8 stations during the 1.5 hour tour.  

Honestly, a lot of the stations blended in to me so I won't be able to give you a detailed description of all of them.  However, I did learn that there are 222 metro stations and the trains come every 2-3 minutes reliably.  For that reason, Moscow > DC. 

One of the first metro stations we visited had bronze statues all over of various depictions.  Many of the statues had superstitions tied to them.  For example, for a statue of the dog, it's held that if you rub the nose of the dog, you'll have good luck.  Consequently, most of the statue is tarnished - except for the nose.  I joked to Tomas that they probably rotate the "good luck" portion of the statue to ensure the entire statue gets polished.

However, I do remember some of the stations.

Novoslobodskaya is a station adorned with stained glass on the walls.

There was also Belarusskaya, which paid tribute to Belarus.

Another station which name I cannot remember but had pretty mosaics in the ceilings.

My favorite station was Komsomolskaya.  It's the busiest station and a hub for other connecting trains.  It was built during Statlin times and he wanted the station to embody beauty to set a good first impression to Russia.

I'd seen pictures of it beforehand since it's the most famous but it's so much more impressive in person.

Look at these ceilings!

Overall it was a very interesting tour.  Not sure of any other city which could offer a metro tour.  DC certainly can't...

After the tour, we headed back of the hotel to rest for a bit.  We had purchased tickets to a tour hour boat down the Moscow river.  The tickets were good for any time on any day and the boats left every 20min.  We decided to knock the tour out that day and headed over to the pier.  

We arrived at the pier and saw a boat by the company we had purchased from boarding.  We approached and they shook their head and said it wasn't the right boat. 

So we waited for another boat.

Another boat came along by the same company we had purchased from so weapproached them.  Again - we were told it wasn't the right boat and the boat we were looking for was coming.  

A third boat came along which was NOT by the company we had purchased from.  By this point, it had been longer than 20min waiting and I was starting to suspect that the correct boat was actually one of the ones which turned us away.   We approached the 3rd boat to ask if they knew which boat we should be on.  However, when we approached,  they waved us aboard without scanning our tickets.

So, we boarded the 3rd boat....which was definitely not ours.

We settled into an upper deck, open air table to take in the views.

We passed by pretty buildings.

The somewhat impressive cathedral of Christ the Savior.

This random statue.

After about hour on the cruise, Tomas remarked that it had been about an hour so we should be turning around soon.  I reminded him that we actually had no idea how long this cruise was or where we would be dropped off.  Since we were on the wrong boat.

Fortunately, it did turn around and took us back to the pier.  

For dinner, we decided to go to this burger place, Black Star Burger, which our guide told us about.  Tomas really liked his - I thought mine was OK.  It was a decent size patty with a mountain of Cole slaw on top.  We've realized that apparently Russians dislike getting their hands dirty while eating so some restaurants will give out gloves to use.  This particular restaurant gave out black gloves.

Tomas modeling our dinner.

Since little mum has been asking about pictures which show my feet, I assume she wanted to see my new shoes.  I recently bought Allbirds which are suppose to be super comfortable walking shoes which you wear without socks and can be washed.  I didn't wear them too extensively beforehand, so that was probably my first error.  I also didn't bring another pair of good walking shoes,  which was likely my second error.  The Allbirds were great the first two days without socks.  Midway through the third day, my right foot was quite unhappy. Left foot was a trooper. So, now I have a bandaid on the heel of my right foot and wear socks.  

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