A concept inspired by the America's Cup
The 2021 edition of the America's Cup will be played on new boats: the AC75 revolutionaries. Flying monohulls equipped with foils whose design was unveiled by Emirates Team New Zealand last December and which promise to be even faster than the AC50 catamarans, used during the 2017 campaign.
Architect Philippe Briand, who has worked in no less than 6 AC campaigns for the America's Cup, was inspired by these spectacular monohulls to design a project adapted to the general public.
The Flyacht follows the same principles as the AC75. It should combine some of the best features of the AC50, such as high speed and innovative design, while retaining the traditional look of monohulls. As on the AC75, the Flyacht has two T-foils, inclined and ballasted, and a righting capacity, even in the event of capsizing. Like the AC50, it will be able to tack and gybe on the foils.
Offer the regatta to as many people as possible
The aim of this concept is to open the technological advances developed on the America's Cup to a wider public, working on a more accessible size and budget. The Flyacht is 6.5 m long. Dimensions, areas, weight and lift had to be recalculated and the design reconfigured to accommodate the speed and loading of a 6.5 metre long hull.
According to the architect, this small flying sailboat should have a 90° righting moment, a bit like a Mini. A fact that can be questioned with the little ballast and freeboard of the boat. The Flyacht is designed to be operated by a crew of two with the possibility of abseiling. The boat will start to take off from 10 knots of actual wind.
The rig consists of a conventional reefing flexible wing which can be automated, which is not allowed in the AC75 measurement rules. The result should be greater stability and security.
With the Flyacht, Philippe Briand is seeking to propose a low-budget project that could be built in series by a shipyard.
"I love being at the forefront as a naval architect. Our role is to transfer the benefits of innovations from the racing industry to the consumer market at a reasonable cost. I want to share with the Millenial generation the pleasure and excitement that can be derived from sailing. And the first step towards that will be watching the AC75 Fly monohulls in action in 2021!"
