Not ready for steady flight

21/10/2023 20:12

The 60-foot IMOCA has evolved into a high-flying offshore boat as sidefoils reduce displacement and increase speed. But foiling boats perform best with a balance of lift surfaces to provide steady flight, and that was the debate for the IMOCA Class:

It was at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Class where members voted on a revision of the one-design mast which aims to increase safety coefficients, possible new rules on engine size, limits to the number of sails carried during races and other technical measures and improvements.

But the biggest discussion point was on the issue of T-foils on rudders which would convert IMOCAs from skimming boats with foils to even faster fully flying ones.

Those in favor of the change say it would be within the spirit of innovation that is a cornerstone of the IMOCA Class's philosophy, that the change can be made simply and that it would greatly improve the level of comfort for skippers as they fly above the waves…