The Hydroptere - A New Record Breaker?

Hydroptere been described as a 60 foot foiling catamaran, half boat, half plane. The concept of hydrofoils, linking aeronautics and marine tends to enthrall the technically oriented!

In the summer of 2001, Hydroptere plans to attempt the 24 hour average speed record held by PlayStation.
Then Hydroptere will be on standby in New York for a trans Atlantic crossing. The goal is to beat the Atlantic Ocean crossing record, held by Laurent Bourgnon on Primagaz of 6.5 days by crossing in less than 5 days.

The basic principle of the hydrofoil is to lift a ship's hull out of the water and support it dynamically on wing-like lifting surfaces, i.e. hydrofoils, to reduce the effect of waves on the ship and to reduce the power required to attain modestly high speeds.

History of Hydroptere:

• In 1976, Eric Tabarly was dreaming and experimenting with the concept of a foiling catamaran.
• 1984 - Eric was joined by Alain Thébault.
• 1985 - Hydroptere came into being, with a prototype.
• 1992 - the actual boat was designed.
• July 1993 - construction started.
• June 1995 supporting arm broke in preliminary trials.
  A team of 12 engineers, many from the auronautics group of EADS, and 3 mariners study the viability and dynamics of foiling at high speeds in turbulent seas.
• October 1997 - sails again with a new supporting arm and rudder system.
• June 8, 1998 - starboard foil rips off in rough seas (25 knots, upwind, large swells).
  While tacking (yielding), a titanium bolt from the fitting for the fixing of the starboard foil sheared causing wrenching of the carrying plan. The starboard foil ripped off and was found a few days later on a beach. Hydroptere dropped down to water level, and managed to limp back to port (Trinity-on-Sea), in particular losing all the parts of upperworks and control surface fixed on the arm under the wind. The bolt was designed for a breaking load of 60 ton on the strut of foil, actually yielded at 22 tons. Two new foils needed to be constructed to resurrect the project.
• September 1999-2000: Hydroptere was rebuilt with two new foils in the Atlantique ship yards in Saint Nazaire, new foils were assembled by EADS AIRBUS of Nantes.
• summer of 2001: new launch and record attempts.

This project has been made possible by to groups of partners.

• industrial:
  EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company)
  les Chantiers de l'Atlantique / Alstom et le CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales)
• regional:
  La Loire, a region of France and the Conseil Général de Loire Atlantique. La Loire is sailing crazy, the Vendee Globe started here, to give you an idea:
  

Specifications
Overall Sail Surface Area	167.5 sq m
Solent jib	82.5 sq m
Storm jib	32.5 sq m
Gennaker	240 sq m
Total Sail Surface Area Upwind	250 sq m
Total Sail Surface Area Downwind	407.5 sq m
Actual Maximum Speed	39 knots
Estimated Maximum Speed	45 knots or more
Overall Cost	40 million francs
Designers	Eric Tabarly and Alain Thébault