Technical Basis ⚙️
To understand why our boat is designed this way, let's dive into the reasoning that guided our design choices.
Forces at Play
A boat is subject to two main forces:
- The wind pushing against the sail
- The water resisting the daggerboard
When these forces are slightly unbalanced, the boat tilts as soon as the wind blows. This tilt reduces its efficiency.
That's where foils come into play !
Why Foils Are Interesting ?
Foils improve two critical aspects:
- Lift: They raise the boat, reducing friction between the water and the hull.
- Anti-Heeling: They straighten the boat, maximizing the efficiency of the sails and keel.
The Limitation of Foils: Cavitation
Foils do have a limitation: cavitation, which occurs at speeds exceeding 50 knots (93 km/h).
Cavitation is the formation of bubbles in the water caused by extreme pressure, somewhat like boiling. The result: significant drag that prevents going faster.