Would you sail on this... if you could?

[jssailem]

We talk about 22-45 ft sailing boats in lakes, bays, and a few adventure ocean cruises.

This boat is not for daysailing.

Gitana Team has unveiled the 104‑foot (32‑meter) Ultim Gitana 18 Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, marking the next chapter in the evolution of their storied offshore sailing program. Engineered in collaboration with North Sails, Southern Spars, and Future Fibres, the project represents more than 50,000 hours of study and 200,000 hours of construction. The result is an advanced offshore multihull capable of sustained, full‑flight foiling with all three hulls lifted completely clear of the water.

 

[kappykaplan]

Wow!

 

[RussC]

"on it".. yes. "sail it".. no thanks. I can appreciate the technology but it has no sailing soul IMHO.

 

[dLj]

"Would you sail on this... if you could?"

Hell yes!

dj

 

[Foswick]

I agree with Russ on this. I had the opportunity to meet the Oracle team at the facility where the USA-17 was made (in Anacortes). They did a little celebration there, following the 2010 America's Cup. While it is technologically interesting, it isn't sailing as I love it. It is closer to flying - also cool, but something different.

 

[Ted]

Sure would! As long as it had an ejection seat if things go wrong.

 

[PaulK]

Looks like they will want to unseat Sodebo Ultim 3's record for the Jules Verne trophy starting later this year. Hydroptère (which still holds the open-ocean sailing speed record at over 50 knots) is also expected to be re-launched this summer. Fast is fun

 

[garymalmgren]

Ground control to Major Tom.........

 

[john6206]

It seems like in the last couple decades the advancement in sailing technology has not been linear.
It’s a pretty steep curve. Some of the high end race boats that are out there are crazy. It’s very exciting stuff.

would I go out for a spin on that boat with a competent captain and crew - of course!

But I think I’d rather sail on a Mackinaw boat, or a traditional Cape Cod Catboat.
plank on frame, sail and oar.

 

[marcham]

Probably hard to sleep with the hull screaming doing 30 kts? at least you'd get there 5 times faster...

 

[kloudie1]

Hold my beer ! What a hoot that would be to experience!

 

[jssailem]

@marcham I think they are talking 50 knots in most conditions. Essentially flying on hydrofoils.

At that speed they could out run the typical storms.

 

[Will Gilmore]

At that speed they could out run the typical storms.

Even the atypical storms.

At what speed does it leave the water all together?

I would love to have one for a daysailer, but for an extended adventure cruise, I prefer the traditional. A day is probably all you'll need to get from the US coast to the Caribbean anyhow.

-Will

 

[BAD ORCA]

"on it".. yes. "sail it".. no thanks. I can appreciate the technology but it has no sailing soul IMHO.

I dont know. It might be time that we have to re-define what that means. Technically speaking, advances and innovation have always been a part of sailings soul. The greatest gunships and galleons were technical marvels, cutting edge technology for their times. We look back now on them with reverence and nostalgia, but they were this trimaran of their day, just with big guns attached.

100 years from now when we have hovering watercraft that never touch the water, we might long for the days of speedy foiling boats that went fast and got wet. I guess it depends on when you were born. By then, a few remaining Catalinas and Ericksons that survived the times will be in personal collections and museums, people wandering around them with nostalgia, commenting that they once actually moved through the water and their occupants used to get horribly wet, cold and sick.

Heck yeah i would ride on this thing once for the experience. Because of when i was born though, and my appropriately placed sense of nostalgia, i prefer my 1980 fiberglass beauty for personal use and adventure.

 

[BAD ORCA]

Sure would! As long as it had an ejection seat if things go wrong.

Seriously. Wow, what would a crash be like in that thing. I'm guessing the crew wear motorcycle helmets 24/7?

 

[shemandr]

I'd sail on it. But only if I were issued diapers!

 

[ShawnL]

I was going to say (and shemandr above is spot-on) remember, these racing boats usually don't have heads. They have out in the open holes onto which you sit to do your business. And if I was going that fast in a sailboat, I'd definitely need to make use of one of the holes.

 

[Foswick]

I'd sail on it. But only if I were issued diapers!

That's what antifouling pants are for.

 

[Davidasailor26]

At what speed does it leave the water all together?

I think they tried that once. It did not end well.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I think Sailing LaVagabonde might be looking for their next boat.