Not even the New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious and famous sailing clubs in the world, could resist the allure of foils. The new trend that, as we told you a few days ago, is literally invading the waters of the planet. What is simmering in the pot of the club that has made its history on mythical boat designs (e.g., all vintage NYs or newer boats like the Swan 42) for its members to enjoy? No less than a trimaran with foils that will be built in series: the TF-10 (TriFoiler 10m). It will be a real revolution because it is designed to fly on foils easily, on four foil points, so that everyone can have fun without jumping like cats from one edge of the boat to the other (the helmsman is in fact stationary in the center hull).
A fleet of flying multihulls, designed by the firm Morelli & Melvin (with the hand of Andrew MacPherson, one of the CG 32’s daddies), is about to head for the Atlantic coast of the United States and is about to make the sailing people crack up with envy. Currently, the first five boats are under construction at Holland Composites shipyard and will be in the water next spring.
The project and one-design class (based in Newport) are owned by five members of the New York Yacht Club. This 10-meter (33-foot) beast is easily “collapsible” so it can be transported and stowed in freighters for away races. One of the most interesting features is that this operation can also be done in the water and turn the trimaran into a 33-foot monohull in a matter of seconds. Another workhorse are the Zeta-shaped foils, which make it easier to control the boat than the L-shaped ones. Both can be operated while sailing and adjusted, as can the two rudders, with an electronic control within reach of the helmsman or trimmer. One of the main goals of this project is that the boat can be carried without professionals on board and is safe for every sailor. By resting on the water at four different points, it provides stability for the crew and requires less effort on board because it can sail smoothly with all foils submerged. In addition, as we have already seen, the helmsman always remains fixed in his position in the middle of the boat without having to jump from side to side in maneuvering.
The construction is 100 percent pre-preg carbon, the mast is from Southern, and the weight of the unarmed boat is 1,110 kg.
Internally, there is ample space in the middle hull for a berth, a bathroom, and a station for the tools needed for navigation: this makes the trimaran suitable for coastal and long regattas as well.
The cost of the vessel will be around $500,000.
