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Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier

Posted By: tomthouse

Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier - 09/23/16 01:19 AM

Recently, Outdoor Outer Banks magazine featured an article about foiling catamarans, and Stiletto was included. Outdoor Outer Banks, a sister publication of the North Beach Sun, is a go-to guide for outdoor adventure in the large tourist market on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

It is estimated that over tens of millions of people travel to the outer banks each week during the summer season for sun, sand, and surf!

Foiling catamarans are introduced to an audience who may not have heard about this new technology in sailing outside of the America’s Cup, while also giving insight into the history of high performance catamarans and evolution of foiling watercraft – “Creating stable flight on foils has eluded engineers for centuries. In just three decades, this elusive dream has become reality”, says the author.

Michael Reardon – COO and Product Development Manager – has had the opportunity to sail aboard the Gunboat G4, “After one period of 16 hours of flight with peak speeds over 30 knots, I firmly believe simple, stable flight is the future of our sport”.

At around $120,000 the article states – “Stiletto Catamaran aims to break the cost barrier and finally put foiling within reach” – and Stiletto -Xf is contrasted against the G4, a luxury foiling Catamaran with a starting cost nearing one million USD. Jay Phillips, CEO of Stiletto Manufacturing, Inc said, “The real advance is that Stiletto is able to offer a hard, dry **** and simple, stable flight for an attainable price tag. This really puts foiling within reach of typical sailors at yacht clubs around the world.”

Anyone hear how building the prototype is going???
Posted By: waterbug_wpb

Re: Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier - 09/23/16 02:24 PM

I saw their rendering/ad in Cruising World magazine as well.

Surely it can't be that easy to fly? Is it some form of automatic aelieron or trim tabs?

Watching video of the G4, there was a lot of sail trimming/steering going on during flight. I can't imagine just setting Otto (autopilot) and going down to blend a drink while it foils.
Posted By: Timbo

Re: Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier - 09/29/16 12:22 PM

Here's their video:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...510AF70A068D119573CA510AF7&FORM=VIRE
Posted By: tomthouse

Re: Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier - 09/29/16 02:15 PM

From what I gather, the "V" shape of the dagger board foils helps to stablize flight. That is slower means more lift because more of the foil is submerged and faster menas less lift, because more of the foil is elevated above the waterline.

Due to the different pitch produced by the forward part of the boat being lifted higher or lower, that has a direct affect on the pitch of the flat foils on the rudder bottoms.

Pretty ingenious and simple, compared to other designs I've seen.

With all that said, I believe you are right; one doesn't start foiling and leave everything else up to Otto the autopilot.

It will be fun to see how it all works when the first proto-type rolls off the production line and splashes for its sea trials.

All I can say is "waaahooo".

Here's a video of the gunboat wiping out. So much for grabbing a sandwich while foiling.

https://vimeo.com/125378004

The most stable foiler I"ve seen is the Hobie TriFoiler but I still haven't seen many on recreational Saturdays.

Here's some videos:

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

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UmWTVA9KhNk


Even they don't always work right.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwQBNH_7OK8

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n845WJPiwl4
Posted By: waterbug_wpb

Re: Stiletto Foiling Catamaran may break the cost barrier - 09/29/16 06:08 PM

My vote is on that 36kg foiling cat for $8000 (UFO foiler?)
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