Hydroptere Begins to Takeoff
A Technological Dream of Full Out Sailboat Speed Performance
Mar 21, 2007
A group of engineers initially met in 1975 to explore the design of a flying boat that would break all current speed records. Aeronautical engineers Alain de Bergh and André Sournat, and nautical engineer François Lefaudeux outlined what would become the vessel l’Hydroptère (hydrofoil). It wasn't until 1987 that the dream reached fruition with the addition of Alain Thébault to the project team.
Technological assistance from aviation industry leaders and employees of Aerospatiale, Airbus and Dassault Aviation provided a number of breakthroughs for the l’Hydroptère project Five tons of titanium and carbon fiber materials comprise the vessel's superstructure. Using Philippe Perrier's computer aided flight simulation program Hydrop 6, team members were able to better refine the performance design of the craft. Sophisticated strain measurement equipment was installed on l’Hydroptère to better assess the vessel's integrity.
Engineering goals for the hydrofoil craft are to reduce overall brake and drag effects on the vessel and achieve liftoff with minimal wind force. Currently the sailboat enters its flight configuration at 12 knots and ultimately the team believes they can reach speeds of 50 knots over the water. Here are some of the basic specifications for the l’Hydroptère:
- Length - 18 meters
- Beam – 24.5 meters
- Mast Height – 27 meters
- Height of Lateral Foils – 6.5 meters
- Weight at Takeoff with 5 crew – 6.5 tons
- Weight in Flight with Wind Ballast – 7 tons
- Main Sail Area – 165 square meters
On 20 January 2007, l’Hydroptère reached a record speed of 46.5 knots breaking the 500 meter distance speed record for a vessel of her class and the absolute record for the nautical mile. Team l’Hydroptère installed a Trimble GPS system onboard to measure the vessel's speed. Beginning on 14 March 2007 Alain Thébault and his crew announced their readiness to attempt a certified run at the records. Sponsors are working with the World Sailing Council to certify the data collection process and equipment used on the craft. A World Sailing Council representative will be on hand to certify the record attempts and measurements
Looking for favorable weather, the team will sail hard for seven days in La Trinité-sur-mer. Sailings will increase through the week as crew experience builds with use of l’Hydroptère. Ideal conditions will see winds of 25 to 30 knots from the south-southwest. Practice sessions are taking place in front of Port Haliguen to mimic these conditions.
You can view the latest pictures of the l’Hydroptère effort at their organization website. News of daily record attempts will be posted at hydroptere.com.
