Hydrofoils for Mobos?

[Seahope]

Having seen the incredible speeds of the latest racing yachts I was wondering if any mainstream vendors are considering developing a mid size mobo with hydrofoils? The benefits I see would be increased top speed and considerably lower fuel usage? The negatives, possibly drag at displacement speeds, something else to get bashed in marinas and potentially more chance of a nasty high speed accident ...

 

[omega2]

http://www.swiftline-marine.com/faq/

 

[Bajansailor]

These ferry builders use hydrofoils on their big catamarans - http://www.allamericanmarine.com/boat-design-advantage/

One of these rather funky glass bottom boats built in Russia (looks like something out of a James Bond movie) lives here - they have a big hydrofoil on the front -
http://paritetboat.com.phtemp.com/glass_bottom_boat_looker_320_gal.htm

This photo shows the boat in Barbados - http://paritetboat.com.phtemp.com/gallery/looker320/19

 

[Danbury]

Hydrofoils anyday....

oopps... sorry I read that as "Moobs"... ignore me...

 

[Nick_H]

42' flybridge here

http://www.hysucat.co.za/images/37-420_flyer.jpg

 

[Bajansailor]

Compare the wake behind that 42' Hysucat in comparison to the average 40' planing motor cruiser - and the Hysucat is trimming very level as well, rather than going along with a bow up attitude.
I suppose that a hydrofoil between the hulls could be a bit vulnerable to damage from floating debris, especially if you clobber it at 25 knots.

 

[jfm]

Brings back memories of the Volga 275 sports boat. Showing my age here. Anyone else remember it, from the earls court show in maybe early 1980s. Or was it the 70s?

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Brings back memories of the Volga 275 sports boat. Showing my age here. Anyone else remember it, from the earls court show in maybe early 1980s. Or was it the 70s?

In the http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewfield/3209668543/ same vane as you JFM, anybody remember the Shearwater ferries that used to go between Southampton and Cowes ??

 

[lynall]

I really havent got a clue, so ignore this!

 

[David of Essex]

Brings back memories of the Volga 275 sports boat. Showing my age here. Anyone else remember it, from the earls court show in maybe early 1980s. Or was it the 70s?

I used to work for Samuel Williams at Dagenham Dock back in the 1970s, they ran 2 Hydrofoils to there offices in London. Not very reliable Volvo petrol engines, burnt valves out for fun. A major disadvantage was floating debris crashing into the foils.
David

 

[paultallett]

In the http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewfield/3209668543/ same vane as you JFM, anybody remember the Shearwater ferries that used to go between Southampton and Cowes ??

Took a ferry just like one of those from jersey to st Malo in the early 80's. as a young boy it was like going on a spaceship!! My grandad was sick all the way there and back!!

 

[jfm]

Turns out Volga 75 has forum and enthusiasts website. http://www.volga-hydrofoil.net/

I remember thinking these were the business

 

[sarabande]

I remember thinking these were the business

"Dear Lars, I was just wondering if your ten gin earring design team could make a teensy-weensy modification for me, please...."

 

[MYStargazer]

In the http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewfield/3209668543/ same vane as you JFM, anybody remember the Shearwater ferries that used to go between Southampton and Cowes ??

I nearly bought one when they were newly decommissioned, to use as a cruising live aboard.

I didn't, and I regret this to this day...

 

[Seahope]

Turns out Volga 75 has forum and enthusiasts website. http://www.volga-hydrofoil.net/

I remember thinking these were the business

Interesting. With modern technology (like your stabiliser fins) I am sure this old technology could be resurrected.

 

[Seahope]

I nearly bought one when they were newly decommissioned, to use as a cruising live aboard.

I didn't, and I regret this to this day...

Thanks for that picture. It certainly looked the business.

 

[paultallett]

I'd be interested to know what killed off the hydrofoil. Did they find cats faster, cheaper, more reliable to operate?? Is the hydrofoil not seaworthy in anything more than a slight chop?? Did the added draft cause issues??

I see it a bit like the hovercraft at Southsea, we take the boys on it in the same way we do a steam train or a pleasure flight at an airshow. If someone got one of the Shearwaters up and running again, I'd pay for a ride!!

 

[burgundyben]

Turns out Volga 75 has forum and enthusiasts website. http://www.volga-hydrofoil.net/

I remember thinking these were the business

I love the Volga's, coincidentally I started a thread elsewhere on the web about them last week, there was a red one in Lymington a few years back, and one in an auction that was reffered to on here about a year or two back, so at least 2 in the UK.

 

[AndieMac]

In the http://www.flickr.com/photos/drewfield/3209668543/ same vane as you JFM, anybody remember the Shearwater ferries that used to go between Southampton and Cowes ??

They ran hydrofoil ferries across/along Sydney Harbour between Circular Quay and Manly for years from the early seventies.

 

[JSYmartini]

Took a ferry just like one of those from jersey to st Malo in the early 80's. as a young boy it was like going on a spaceship!! My grandad was sick all the way there and back!!

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/skid-ship-rides-gale