Gunboat G4 Foiler

[Doug Lord]

The first full foiler(as far as I know) from Gunboat: http://www.gunboat.com/series/gunboat-g4 You know it's a Revolution now!

Could be a good race between this and Morelli and Melvins California 45: http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=145992&hl=california

Renders of Gunboat G4:

 

[Just A Skosh]

Doesn't sound like they're planning on having it fly, more to just keep it from nose diving.

 

[Doug Lord]

Doesn't seem like they'd use UptiP foils for just foil assist-the uptip foils have an integral altitude control system. Theres another render on the page with "C" foils which could be ideal for foil assist.

 

[EarthBM]

If I were to risk my money on a revolutionary new project like this I would first try some proof of concept prototyping, with something of a realisticly similar displacement and sailplan. Like add foils to an old Concer or even Sig 45.

 

[ProaSailor]

Super cool! Thanks Doug. YouTube video is dated Oct 7, 2013 - what took so long to get the news here?

 

[Doug Lord]

Super cool! Thanks Doug. YouTube video is dated Oct 7, 2013 - what took so long to get the news here?

Thanks-did you notice the difference between the foils on the renders I posted and the foils in the video? They would not have caught my eye-"just" foil assist. But the UptiP foils-now thats a cat of a different color! Thanks to Peter Huston on the "trickle down " thread this morning.....

 

[bloodshot]

no way in hell that thing gets out of the water.

 

[Raz'r]

Marketing types know to sell the customer what they want. Remember those mid-80 cruisers with Am Cup keel winglets?

 

[gregj1]

actually it was here when it was introduced. If you read the narrative the idea isn't foiling it's being able to push hard off wind without stuffing a bow and, you don't have to tack or gybe the boards.

 

[GregLynn]

2. C-FOIL DAGGERBOARDS: When you achieve a 2.4 ton displacement, lifting foils make a significant contribution to performance. The C-foil daggerboards provide lift, reduce drag, and keep things safe when pressed downwind. Thanks to their symmetric shape, both foils can be left down. There is no need to raise or lower the boards when tacking or jibing.

 

[bloodshot]

full foiling even with a fully tricked-out salon and berths?

 

[Airwick]

2. C-FOIL DAGGERBOARDS: When you achieve a 2.4 ton displacement, lifting foils make a significant contribution to performance. The C-foil daggerboards provide lift, reduce drag, and keep things safe when pressed downwind. Thanks to their symmetric shape, both foils can be left down. There is no need to raise or lower the boards when tacking or jibing.

But the renderings aren't C-foils any more but the sharp (and trendy) J-foil shape. These don't seem to make much sense if you are not trying to fly though...

Is it a change of plan and will they try to make it fly or is it just for looks? I don't see why it couldn't fly but it would probably take a fair bit of wind.

Wait and see I guess...

 

[GregLynn]

It will be the first offshore fully foiling boat unless you think of Hydroptere as an ocean going boat. Pretty surprising proposition given their current clients and products.

 

[Trovão]

It will be the first offshore fully foiling boat unless you think of Hydroptere as an ocean going boat. Pretty surprising proposition given their current clients and products.

imho it won't be really an offshore boat -more like coastal.

 

[Doug Lord]

Don't forget the M&M California 45 foiler-more of a daysailer and less a cruiser than this boat. They probably wouldn't have done new renders showing the UptiP foils if they didn't intend to fully fly. The "C's" would have been fine for foil assist......

 

[EarthBM]

I say these J foil renderings are just to excite the fantasies of potential buyers...

AC45s had 1.4ton displacement and needed a wing and 5 pros to fly.

Both Cali 45 and G4 will be pushing reality to get below twice that displacement, with soft sails and crewed by 2-3 mere mortals.

 

[Doug Lord]

I say these J foil renderings are just to excite the fantasies of potential buyers...

AC45s had 1.4ton displacement and needed a wing and 5 pros to fly.

Both Cali 45 and G4 will be pushing reality to get below twice that displacement, with soft sails and crewed by 2-3 mere mortals.

Remember this when you're tempted to think like that:

 

[unShirley]

It will be the first offshore fully foiling boat unless you think of Hydroptere as an ocean going boat. Pretty surprising proposition given their current clients and products.

wrong:

 

[GregLynn]

I said fully foiling not full of foils.

In videos that haven't had the playback speed doubled it is clear that the boat is not fast even during the moments it gets all its hulls out of the water momentarily:


If the foils get so large that their induced drag approaches or exceeds the drag of the hull(s) they are lifting then what's the point of foiling?

IMHO, the renders of the G4 are already looking too big and draggy.