Did watching the AC72 fly around the course get you to wondering when a production foiling beachcat would be available?

Very soon...

The French company Sail Innovation that has been stirring up the F18 Class for several years is about to go into production of their "Flying Phantom" fully foiling 18 foot catamaran. Cost is estimated at 26,000 pounds (around $42,000)

The boat will share the hull shape of their F18 Phantom but only weight 330 lbs and be almost 10 feet wide (3 meters). The foils from the production boat are being used on the Groupma C-Class boat that has been dominating the International C Class Cup (Little Americas Cup), so they know they work. They are similar "self leveling" foils like the AC72 were using.



One mystery is the driving technique used on these boats on certain points of sail. Sure seems like the skipper has to work hard.



Flying Phantom



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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Awesome!

I have to start saving $$$$ and build a bigger garage...

DamonLinkous

"Flying Phantom" fully foiling 18 foot catamaran. Cost is estimated at 26,000 pounds (around $42,000)

The boat will share the hull shape of their F18 Phantom but only weight 330 lbs and be almost 10 feet wide (3 meters).

The green boat looks much longer than 18 ft, perhaps closer to 25'?

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Damon,

I read the price in euros, which makes it about $33k. That's roughly the same price as an F20C or $4k more thank a new Nacra 17

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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The green boat is their C-class cat. The link shows the 18 footer. The brochure looks like the photoshopped out the leeward foil or something.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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http://www.youtube.com/wa…detailpage&v=5doBIv3TVbA

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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bacho

Damon,

I read the price in euros, which makes it about $33k. That's roughly the same price as an F20C or $4k more thank a new Nacra 17

That could be, they do say euros on the website, but I heard Alex say 25 to 26 thousand pounds during a webcast of the Little Americas cup. He was in the UK at the time so maybe miss-spoke but $40,000+ USD sounds more likely than $33,000. I'll let you know the final price when mine is delivered.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Received this press release from Sail Innovation:

Quote

After 3 years of intensive development, SAIL INNOVATION is proud to announce the launch of the Flying Phantom.

The Flying Phantom project was born in order to design the first production foiling beach cat available to the general public.

SAIL INNOVATION and the renowned designer Martin Fischer notably worked in close collaboration with Franck Cammas and the entire Groupama Sailing Team and toke the advantage of the learnings of Groupama C who recently won the Little Amercica’s Cup.

The goal was to produce the most accomplished foiling cat, fast in all conditions and easy to sail.

During the last 36 months of development and testing, the entire team has been fully dedicated to fine tuning every detail in order to get a fully optimized, reliable and user friendly boat.

The boat has been tested in normal course racing and long distance races by highly skilled sailors such as: Franck Cammas (winner of the Jules Vernes, the Route du Rhum and the Volvo Ocean Race), François Gabart (winner of the Vendée Globe) and Gurvan Bontemps (F18 French champion). All have provided very accurate feedback to evolve the performance of the boat. Additionally, weekend club sailors have also been involved in this testing campaign in order to ensure the boat is easy to use.

The Flying Phantom is a unique high-end product in terms of design, construction and finishing quality.

It is opening a new era in sailing; flying above the water.

The boat will be officially launched during the Paris boat show in December, production will start early of 2014 for spring deliveries.

Looking forward to present you this amazing boat

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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