 |
SPITFIRE DOES 30 KNOTS |
|
 |
|
|
The 'Spitfire 12' is the latest and most radical product of
BDG's Marine division and Windrush yachts. This sleek hydrofoil
was launched on 17th January 2002. In only its third sea trial
on 2nd Febuary 2002, it could be seen thundering along more than
a metre above the wave crests, off the coast of Perth. Remarkably,
Spitfire succeeded in reaching speeds of up to 30 knots, on a day
with only 18-25 knots of wind. With some more development and
more experience under the crew's belts, designers Mark Pivac and Peter
Eagles of BDG Marine expect the boat to reach a top speed of more
than 40 knots. The 12 metre (40 feet) catamaran features twin rigs,
sleek hulls and most notably, three hydrofoils which lift
the hulls completely clear of the water, allowing Spitfire
to accelerate to high speeds, without the burden of hull
drag loads. |
The twin
masts are unstayed, for superior aerodynamics and use
experimental 'soft
wing' double sided sails, also developed by BDG and
Windrush, who have a patent pending for the technology. |
