Foiling power boats

[darkside]

I wonder how long before we see cruising pleasure boats in the doing this. A lot of power to get the lift, after that I assume quite efficient.

[Simi 60]

Like in the 60's?

https://youtu.be/1cYXxZiL4B8?si=DShY4Bry94vT-q5u

[KnotYet]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Like in the 60's?

https://youtu.be/1cYXxZiL4B8?si=DShY4Bry94vT-q5u

No question that those early foiling sailboats were fast but, after watching the
video, I need to point out that 960 miles in 6 days is only 6.7 kts average speed.
That was only 1.5 knots faster than my average speed crossing to HI in my Catalina 30.

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr.d. I think both the US and Canadian military tested prototype hydrofoils many moons ago. Neither panned out IIRC.


So IF the military with tons of $$ can't make a go of it, I doubt recreational manufacturers will even try.

[AlaskaProf]

Originally Posted by RT Firefly

Greetings,
Mr.d. I think both the US and Canadian military tested prototype hydrofoils many moons ago. Neither panned out IIRC.


So IF the military with tons of $$ can't make a go of it, I doubt recreational manufacturers will even try.

U.S. built six which actually served for about 15 years. At least one participated in the invasion of Grenada.

[Simi 60]

They are out there
Can't see them becoming popular for average joe

https://www.google.com/search?q=foil...-8&bshm=rime/6

[AlaskaProf]

Here's all of them, on the way to the scrapyard in 1993:

[Simi 60]

I remember as a kid there being a hydrofoil ferry in Sydney Harbour
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_hydrofoils

And until recently a ferry service from Saigon to Vung Tau comprised of Russian hydrofoils

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Location...Minh_City.html

[Jeff F]

I used to watch the Bras D'Or blasting around Halifax. Guess I'm dating myself [emoji3]

60+ knots with a 25,000 hp turbine. Not much range or load capacity.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS...%27Or_(FHE_400)

[darkside]

I think the difference now is computers controlled foils rather than fixed foils of the past.
A huge gain in efficiency if the foils can be adjusted to match boat speed and sea conditions.
The latest AC40s only have three crew, the foils can look after themselves.

[Benthic2]

Originally Posted by RT Firefly

So IF the military with tons of $$ can't make a go of it, I doubt recreational manufacturers will even try.

The military probably has design requirements like hull thickness and impact resistance that a recreational boat wouldn't have. That might make for enough of a weight penalty for the navy ships not to be feasible, but recreationally it might work.

The America's Cup boats are using them now. In the automotive world it takes a while for technology developed for racing to make its way to the average consumer. I'm hoping it will be the same for foiling boats.

[GoneFarrell]

These are amazing (and pricey!)....

https://candela.com/

[Owen Christensen]

One more thing to break. No thanks.

[sean9c]

Ran across this the other day. Thought the most interesting part is the reduction in power requirements when foiling. It sort of seems that it'd make longer range solar power propulsion actually doable. It's certainly not a trawler so this isn't likely the best forum but it makes as much sense as showing a bunch of military stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQbT4pr5ylE

[Jeff F]

I looked at a Candela runabout last summer. Pretty much everything was carbon fiber. It's interesting to watch along with the electrification of pleasure boats.

I've seen a number of electric foiling surfboards recently. And there are a bunch of foiling sailboats. Clearly it's here to stay this time.

[Slowmo]

Good summary of pros and cons.
https://www.boatblurb.com/post/hydro...-pros-and-cons

As an engineer the reduced wetted surface and thus lower drag is pretty self evident. However in the real world things aren't that simple. For specific applications they are great but don't have the all around capability and versatility of a conventional hull. While computer controls make them more easy to control keep in mind this is an electronic system in salt water, a recipe for problems. So they'll probably stay what they've always been: a rich mans toy or a special purpose government vessel. They are a blast though, I've been on the HK to Macao Boeing foil multiple times, it's impressive. The Russian ones are a bit less so.

[darkside]

Foils are fairly common on trawler catamarans in the recreational space to reduce wetted surface and increase efficiency. We chose not to avoid the extra risk.
Some time ago on a delivery we picked up a small branch on a foil on a 20m cat. No amount of backing down would free it so I had to dive it to get it off.
I am a big fan of foils in other applications

[Jeff F]

Originally Posted by darkside

Foils are fairly common on trawler catamarans in the recreational space to reduce wetted surface and increase efficiency.

Not common around here! Can you point to examples?

We may be stretching the trawler label a little thin here [emoji3]

[ofer]

Originally Posted by sean9c

Ran across this the other day. Thought the most interesting part is the reduction in power requirements when foiling. It sort of seems that it'd make longer range solar power propulsion actually doable. It's certainly not a trawler so this isn't likely the best forum but it makes as much sense as showing a bunch of military stuff.

no thanks on the boat but i do need a new captain.

[darkside]

Originally Posted by Jeff F

Not common around here! Can you point to examples?

Too many to list but Roger Hill, Nick de Waal, McConaghy, Aquila and Bladerunner spring to mind.
Google foil assisted catamarans.