cheap foil sailboat

12 foiling boats for sailors of all levels

• April 15, 2022
• No Comments

THE PERFECT GIFT!

Give or treat yourself to a subscription to the print + digital Journal of Sailing and for only 69 euros a year you get the magazine at home plus read it on your PC, smartphone and tablet. With a sea of advantages.

There’s no denying that the phenomenon of the moment, when it comes to having fun, is foiling boats (as Checco Bruni told us himself in this article). In the wake of the latest editions of the America’s Cup, flying boats, especially in the dinghy segment, have become increasingly widespread. On one or two hulls, with one or more foils, more or less easy to fly, single or crewed.

We have selected for you 12 flying boats with which to enter the world of foils or with which to try and perfect your skills. We also tell you how much they cost and the “difficulty of flight” (XXX: difficult; XX: medium; X: easy). The only common denominator is that they are great fun!

Birdyfish – 4,7 m – For foiling beginners

Flying difficulty:   X

The ideal boat for learning to sail foils, even for beginners. Very few trim adjustments for foils allow you to enjoy all the excitement and joy of flying. The crew will only have to deal with sail trimming. The appendages with a soft-angled L guarantee take-off from 10 knots of wind. The shape of the bow works well even in waves. Price: 16,980 euros.

FIND OUT MORE

Flo1 – 4.25 m

Flying difficulty:  X

An interesting single to approach and perfect in the world of small foilers before moving on to more sophisticated craft. Produced by the Dutch company Aeronamics, it has a soft, almost C-shaped foil. There is no adjustment of the rake of the appendages but only its extension in the water, which makes the “trim” of these appendages easy and intuitive after just a few trips. Top speeds are around 20 knots. Price: 15,495 euros.

DISCOVER MORE

NACRA F20 – 6,20 m – Like America’s Cup cats

Flying difficulty:  XXX

The Nacra yard, which specializes in open catamarans and produces the Nacra 17 Olympic class, has fitted its F 20 model with a “Flight Control System” to make it fly. The Nacra 20 FCS was designed by Pete Melvin and Gino Morelli, the authors of the 2013 America’s Cup rulebook, and its foils are reminiscent of those on the AC72 in San Francisco. A very physical boat and not for everyone. Price: 34,000 euro.

Foiling Dinghy – 3,86 m – Small and versatile

It weighs 30 kilos and can be foiled as early as seven knots of wind. The Foiling Dinghy is equipped with an inverted T rudder and a pair of curved foils that act as both lifting and straightening foils, with an automatic management system. The foils have a few simple adjustments depending on what you want to achieve (more flying or more straightening). Price: 15,500 euros including taxes.

Moth – 3,35 m – The foiling cult dinghy

The progenitor of the flying dinghies is still one of the most complete single foilers on the market today. Suitable mainly for advanced sailors who already have experience on foils, it has appendages that offer multiple setting options and the possibility of being changed according to wind strength. The international class is one of the most active and always organizes very crowded races. Cult product. Price: from 20,000 euros.

Peacoq 14 – 4.70 m – Like a flying Fireball

Flying difficulty:  XX

With a hull that is vaguely reminiscent of the old Fireballs with a “cut” bow, the Peacoq 14, an evolution of the Club version, is a dinghy that can be a compromise for both novice and experienced foil sailors. In fact, the dinghies can be operated in automatic trim, or more experienced sailors can adjust their angle for maximum performance. Price: quote on request.

Persico 69F – 6,9 m – The trendy boat

This concept boat is the brainchild of the Italian racing elite (Giorgio Benussi, Dede de Luca, “l’oriundo” Maciel Cicchetti) and was designed by Argentineans Wilson and Marquinez. Flying the 69F is not too difficult, although it does require a good physique and strength in the arms, especially for the mainsail trimmer and the foil adjuster. The racing circuit has now been launched with an attractive programme. Price: rented by the season.

Skeeta – 3,35 m – Easy for anyone

Ease first. The idea behind Skeeta is the same as that of many other small foilers: to make this type of wing easy and open to everyone. Skeeta is a single glider that flies on two self-regulating appendages, not particularly technical to fly but still very high performance, with the particular shape of the hull that distinguishes all Quant models. Price: 15,345 euros.

Stunt S9 – 4,16 m – The Italian Foiling cat

This is an all-Italian One Design catamaran that can be sailed as a single with just a mainsail or even a jib depending on the weather conditions. Like other catamarans, to improve stability in flight, it moves on four submerged appendages. Physically it requires a certain amount of athleticism, also because there is a trapeze, but with a little training it can be suitable for a wide audience. Price: 16,600 euros.

Ufo – 3,00 m – Flying with two hulls

This small catamaran is equipped with a sensor that self-adjusts the inclination of the single central foil, coupled to the T of the rudder. It can take off even in light winds thanks to the lightness of its construction. The cat is quite easy to sail, suitable even for sailors who do not have much experience with foils.

The official european dealer for Foiling UFO is  Sea-Change . Price:  8.980 euros + VAT

Waszp – 3,35 m – For the whole family

Very similar to the Moth, but with one big difference: the Waszp is a monotype, it is not made of carbon and the appendages being monotyped cannot be changed. For this reason it is less expensive than the Moth, even if it does perform somewhat less well. It is considered by many to be an ideal “family” boat because it is fun for both young and old. The foil adjustment system is managed by a sensor, but it is possible to set the appendages and modify some adjustments. Price: 12,200 euros.

Whisper – 5,40 m – Full performance

As light as the highest performing Cats, it features a one-piece, non-removable platform that provides great structural rigidity. Equipped with the four classic self-adjusting appendages, it is able to set sail in light breezes with a certain ease. It is a double, with trapeze, mainsail, jib and gennaker, fast even in light winds. Physically demanding. Price: 26,900 euros.

HELP US TO KEEP YOU ALWAYS UPDATED

The journalists of  Giornale della Vela , together with Motorboats and Top Yacht Design, commit themselves every day to guaranteeing quality, updated and correct information on the world of boating for free through the websites. If you appreciate our work, please support us by subscribing to our magazine. The annual subscription costs only 49 euros!

DISCOVER OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Every day, interviews, sea trials, webinars. All the sailing world, minute by minute, but on line. CLICK HERE to sign up, it’s free!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER, IT’S FREE!

To stay updated on all the news from the world of sailing, selected by our editorial staff, subscribe to the newsletter of Giornale della Vela! It is very simple, just enter your email below, accept the Privacy Policy and click on the “Subscribe” button. This way, you will receive the best sailing news in your email twice a week! It is free and you can unsubscribe at any time, without obligation!

Once you click on the button below, check your mailbox

Accetto la  Privacy Policy

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check out the latest issue

Are you already a subscriber?

• Read your magazine from your pc here! >>
• Renew your subscription >>
• Reset your account password >>

Your boating vacation in the Adriatic and Sicily is top notch with these operators – Ep. 3

The 4 partners to take a boating vacation around the world – ep. 2, 5 charter operators with bases in campania and sardinia – ep. 1, do you need power on board try these generators, ultimi annunci.

Sign up for our Newsletter

We give you a gift

Sailing, its stories, all boats, accessories. Sign up now for our free newsletter and receive the best news selected by the Sailing Newspaper editorial staff each week. Plus we give you one month of GdV digitally on PC, Tablet, Smartphone. Enter your email below, agree to the Privacy Policy and click the “sign me up” button. You will receive a code to activate your month of GdV for free!

You may also be interested in.

On August 30 at the Marina di Scarlino you can try out all of these boats

  On August 30, 2024 there is an appetizer, organized by 43° Parallel, to better prepare for the boat show season. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in 43° Open, a special day organized at the Marina di Scarlino headquarters

Sailing below the coast: how does the wind behave? (Episode 1)

When sailing near the coast, you always have to deal with wind, currents, tides (if sensitive) and sea conditions that are often directly related to the coastline profile and its topographical features. In this article we will discuss what to

USED BOATS Sell 4 Classic Boats not to be underestimated (8-13 m)

  We keep going to discover the best used boat bargains on our classifieds marketplace. Here you can sell and buy used boats (even historic Classic Boats by Giornale della Vela!), accessories, berths, find the right idea for your vacation,

Classic IOR: Between prototypes and series, tell us about the Cult boats that still “live on”

If we look at the history of sailing, at that sailing which we can already identify in forms similar to today’s, we will undoubtedly find that there was a legendary near-thirty-year period, that of the IOR (whose history you can

Sailing Newspaper

Editor-in-Chief: Luca Oriani

TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE EDITORIAL STAFF 02 535 811111 – [email protected]

FOR ADVERTISING Senior account: Guido De Palma: tel. 02 535811208 cell. +39 347 2347433 [email protected].

Pierfrancesco Pugno: cell. +39 3496621980 [email protected]

Cookie policy Privacy policy

INFO SUBSCRIPTIONS, DIRECT SALES AND DIGITAL PRODUCTS

tel. 02 535811 111/200 [email protected]

Username or Email Address

NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST AND MOST ADVANCED DINGHY FACTORY

Country/region

• Australia AUD $
• Austria EUR €
• Belgium EUR €
• Canada CAD $
• Czechia CZK Kč
• Denmark DKK kr.
• Finland EUR €
• France EUR €
• Germany EUR €
• Hong Kong SAR HKD $
• Ireland EUR €
• Israel ILS ₪
• Italy EUR €
• Japan JPY ¥
• Malaysia MYR RM
• Netherlands EUR €
• New Zealand NZD $
• Norway USD $
• Poland PLN zł
• Portugal EUR €
• Singapore SGD $
• South Korea KRW ₩
• Spain EUR €
• Sweden SEK kr
• Switzerland CHF CHF
• United Arab Emirates AED د.إ
• United Kingdom GBP £
• United States USD $

Item added to your cart

fulcrumspeedworks

*NOTE: Sales team will contact you with shipping rates.

WHAT IS IT?

The UFO is a simplistic modern hydrofoiling boat, that allows anyone to fly through the air, freeing the hull from draggy water. More stable than the International Moth -or even a child’s pram- with a simple rig, and a set of fully retractable hydrofoils, all for $11,500 USD the UFO makes flying attainable. Thousands less than it’s nearest competition.  Built in the United States in high volume and quality control, the UFO maintains a one-design philosophy, creating close and exciting racing on foils!

FLY WITH THE UFO

• Designed and built in the USA
• $11,500 USD
• Compatible and rewarding to all skill levels
• Lightweight for easy maneuverability
• Solid, nearly dent-proof, hull
• Unique patented hull and rig designs
• Stable on and above the water
• Small footprint for carefree storage and shipping
• Takeoff from about 8knts of wind
• Fast, fun, easy to control foiling

FUN FOR ALL AGES

The wand system controlling the foils, which can be set to fly very high, very low (even ‘no fly mode’) and all points in between. This means you can progressively add challenges to your UFO experience as you feel ready for them, from ‘beginner mode’ all the way to ‘extreme mode’. Additionally, the highly tunable sail can be set up to provide only the amount of power that your body type needs, and no excess. This means that the UFO is accessible and fun for sailors of all sizes, ages and skill levels. Merely set up the boat for your skill level and body type and go play around.

The UFO is very broadly applicable and has flown payloads from 70 pounds -a tiny kid- to 270 pounds -a tall grown man and a teenage boy-. The foil package just needs power to climb. Ultra light sailors have been caught on camera flying in 5 knots of breeze and the baseline for 225 pound sailors to take off is 10 knots. 270 flies in 12 knots of breeze.

SETUP AND BREAKDOWN

While the boat can be left on shore with everything in place, but the sail down, that doesn’t mean the UFO isn’t easy to put together or take apart. Quite the opposite. Simplicity begets simplicity and the boat is a cinch to put together and take apart.

MANAGEABILITY

Being small is it’s own reward when it comes to handling the boat through all sailing experiences. When you start to really push yourself learning to foil, there are good odds you’ll manage to capsize it. The UFO is easy to right from capsizes and even full “turtle” inversions. This last part is critical, because when catamarans are too heavy to right from turtle the only option is to make the mast float. This has the unintended downside of making the boat very likely to blow away from you. The UFO is designed to stay right alongside you in the event you are separated from the boat. Additionally, the boat possesses an uncommon “park” mode in which it will hold station of its own accord, apparently indefinitely without external input of any kind. The full benefits of that upside have not begun to be fully exploited.

FOILING AT ALL POINT OF SAIL

The Fulcrum design team strictly adhered to the axion “if there’s a point of sail (say, upwind or downwind) that it can’t always foil on, you can’t call it a foiler”. The design team achieved their goal and the UFO is a fully flying boat on all points of sail, which drastically increases its fun-factor.

At what points of sail does the UFO foil at?

The UFO fully foils at all points of sail. Upwind, downwind and reaching.  Additionally, you can set it to  not foil when you’re tired and it will do that as well, so you can get home easily. These two factors make the UFO uniquely good for learning to foil.

Who can fly the UFO?

Within reason, anyone.

UFO pilots have ranged from 8 years old to 72, from 90 pounds to 235. Young sailors do well sailing as pairs or with a middleweight to light adult. It’s rare that anyone on the fulcrum team conceives of a boat with a narrow niche in mind. Why bother? It’s a mistake in yacht design to design a boat for a narrow range of users, when for the most part people are diverse and the objective of one-design boats is to garner large fleets. That said, the boat is likely to be most satisfactory in all wind conditions in the hands of teens, small and medium men and all women. At the extreme low end of the weight range, sailors may find themselves overpowered and at the extreme high end, the wind speed required for takeoff is about two knots higher than average. UFOs have been sailed “two up” as well, though the above limits of weight range still apply to the sum of the two sailors weights.

What wind and waves can I fly a UFO in?

The UFO will sail in practically any wind condition. However, it’s important to remember that with all sailboats there are days that are great to sail in and days where you do something else.

While the UFO can at times with a skilled skipper take off in very low wind speeds, the baseline for reliable flight is around eight knots. Trying to squeeze enough power to fly out of too little wind is tiresome and in those circumstances, it’s best to do something else. In 8 knots and above, flying is magical and unforgettable. In under 8 knots, the UFO reverts to being a pleasant displacement catamaran and goes from being exciting and fast to relaxing and tactical. This is another benefit of being a catamaran.

Over the last six years the UFO has proven to be uniquely good at flying safely and consistently in very high windspeeds. In multi-class foiling regattas the UFO has proven to be the only foiler built to date that simply  loves  high windspeeds. In winds above 22 knots when other foiling boats make for shore, the UFO wants to keep playing. The upper wind limit is more a matter of taste and skill. UFOs have been sailed in 36 knots, but that requires a great deal of skill and focus.  The UFO rig having shared DNA with a windsurf rig seems to play a part in the boat’s remarkable ability to get a kick out of big wind. Since the upper wind limit on the UFO is so much higher, this makes the number of optimal days to fly a UFO (if skilled in sailing one) higher per year than with any other production foiling boat.

Most chop and wave conditions present no issue for a UFO set for the days’ conditions. After all, powered hydrofoils were first developed by various leading Navy’s as a means of smoothly flying over challenging sea-states. Choking up the ride height helps the UFO fly smoothly through the bottom of the wave pattern, undeterred. Rolling seas present even less issue, as the UFO will ride along them just like any other. Extremely tight and tall chop can be very annoying, which is not peculiar to the UFO.

Waves do effect baseline windspeeds to achieve takeoff. Imagine getting a plane to take off on a bumpy runway. This is true for all hydrofoil boats. In choppy water, ten to twelve knots can be necessary to achieve fully easy takeoffs. Some UFO sailors use aggressive kinetic techniques to overcome this and take off in choppy water and low wind.

Will I fly my first time out?

Most people do, but bear in mind that flying is a whole new experience and it takes some learning.

Conditions, setup and technique matter and if you use it incorrectly, you are likely to get some degree of incorrect results. That’s the challenge that the UFO is built to address. Over six years on the market and over 500 boats delivered, the UFO has proven to be the best and most reliable platform for ordinary sailors to reliably teach themselves foiling technique on.

What happens when I crash my UFO into something?

You’ll probably do some damage to it.

The UFO is built with durability as a core objective but it’s worth noting that the gulf between “Feather light under engineered ragged-edge high performance craft” and “literally indestructible” is extremely wide. The UFO represents neither of these extremes. Do not attempt your first flight inside a densely packed mooring field. Obstacles only make you better once you’ve mastered the basics.

How easy is it to rig a UFO?

Best in class, vs other foiling boats on the market. With that said, it’s not easier than doing nothing. Doing nothing is very easy! Putting a boat together is worthwhile but obviously involves effort.

The current cartop to launched speed record is roughly 15 minutes. Socket the mast together. Attach the boom and stays in one go. Step the rig. Flip the boat on its side, insert the foils, right the boat, hoist the sail and launch. Complexity is best avoided.

Leaving the UFO on a dock or a beach with the rig in and the foils simply in the “up” position, achieves an ease of daily use on par with any light beach cat. To go foiling all you need to do is hoist the sail with the halyard, clip the sail to the boom and attach the downhaul line and you’re ready to launch. This brings setup and breakdown to a matter of five minutes or less.

How do I launch and land a UFO?

Far far far more easily than any other foiling boat on the market.

Because the UFO is a very small catamaran, while floating the hulls float relatively deep in the water and create lateral resistance, like the hulls on a hobie 16 or hobie wave. This means that it can sail upwind without a daggerboard of any kind in the water. This is not the case with non-catamaran foilers. The rudder is outfitted with a friction brake and a down-halyard to allow its depth to vary and allow steering in shallow water. So from 16 inches of water and beyond, you can sail away from and back to shore reliably.

Because the UFO’s forward foil assembly is located  in front of  the mast, the UFO can tack and gybe while the forward foil is fully withdrawn from the water. This is unique. It allows the UFO to navigate reliably in the period between launching or landing and flying. The benefits for usability and safety cannot be overstated.

Once you’ve got to deep enough water, lower your foils fully and fly away!

That’s if you’re using a dolly.

If you aren’t using a dolly, the UFO has even more party tricks to show off. Since the foils withdraw to above the waterline of the hull, the hull can be beached or slid up onto a dock float or boat deck without any risk to damaging the foils. The UFO is a boat that’s eager to go sailing.

Can I easily cartop a UFO?

At this hull weight, the boat is very easy to put on top of a car, and its flat bottoms allow it to be strapped down hard with no drama. The other components of the boat collapse down to the point of easily fitting in a standard hatchback.

Where can I store my UFO?

Anywhere you can carry it to. Anywhere it fits.

Behind couches, under beds, under porches, in basements, inside larger boats, chained to apartment fire escapes, hanging in garages. Anywhere it can go that’s convenient for your lifestyle is a good place for it to go.

Why does X look like Y? Surely it would be better to make it like Z.

Just trust us.

If you’ve thought of it, we’ve weighed the pros and cons and its been included or excluded for good reason. Creating a boat that can be produced at an affordable price, for a wide range of sailors with a maximum quantity of accessible performance is an extremely hard target to hit. The UFO meets all of its objectives and does so by blatantly ignoring a few conventions and norms. You simply don’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

SIT&FLY

you can  fly

THAT FLIES ALONE

Extended version on your desktop computer

A foiler designed for any sailor.

The idea was to create a SIT & FLY foiler, that is to say a boat with foils that practically flew alone, and endow it with an exceptional stability so that any sailor could fly easily, regardless of their physical or technical preparation, also allowing them to access into the competition with foils so far suitable for only a few specialists.

The mothquito foiling catamaran perfectly meets this objective. proof of this is that none of our riders had ever flown on a boat with foils before and as you will see in the videos they all fly without any difficulty. , i sincerely believe that it is the best guarantee that the mothquito is made for you., you will soon be able to try it for yourself. happy flight.

Designer and CEO:

IFS Foiling & MOTHQUITO

THE BOAT THAT FLIES ALONE

The Mothquito Foiling Catamaran is the first foiler in the world with an increased dynamic stability and performance, by the IFS system, a system that increases its dynamic length and beam to make foiling easy, safe and fun for any sailor.

Due to this system, the Mothquito surprises with its great stability, both at take-off and during flight, requiring the crew member simply the same physical effort that would be required to sail in any conventional dinghy boat without trapeze and without the need for a special technique.  

In the Mothquito you just have to sit down to sail and the boat will practically will flies alone.

For all these reasons, the Mothquito is an easy and suitable foiler for all types of sailors, a true SIT & FLY.

At the same time, it can be a fundamental tool for schools and training centers, which are increasingly in demand for easy-to-fly, stable, yet fast and fun foilers.

But make no mistake, the Mothquito is more than just a docile and stable foiler. The Mothquito is a high performance catamaran racer. With a dynamic beam in flight of 4.8 m2, this boat manages to significantly increase its righting moment, which allows it to have a sail area of ​​17.5 m2 in its basic configuration, to launch the boat at high speeds without heeling or feeling of risk.

With mothquito you don`t need:.

Previous experience.

Specific technical training.

Special physical preparation.

Navigate against heeling as in the Moth.

Hang on a trapeze compromising your safety.

Height sensors and flaps to regulate the flight height, since its V foils automatically regulate the height.

Increasing the dynamic length:

You increase longitudinal stability, improving dynamic longitudinal trim in flight and reducing the risk of nose dive and pitch poles., increasing the dynamic beam:, increased transverse stability is achieved, increasing righting moment and performance, with a significant reduction in heeling., that is why mothquito marks a before and after, a new concept in the world of foiling which is summarized in a single expression:, sit & fly.

With Mothquito you know how.

BACKGROUNDS

As foiling progresses, more and more fans and sailors want to experience the sensation of flying, even if only once.

But the reality is that many of them are in doubt as to whether they will be able to fly continuously and controlled, since flying these machines does not seem as easy as sitting down.

In many cases, it requires significant physical preparation and endurance to be able to keep the balance in flight based on counter-heeling, making counter balance and playing with the mainsail sheet hunting and molding to maintain balance and not repeatedly go overboard.

In other cases, as in the majority of catamarans, it will be necessary to hang on the trapezoid to reduce the heeling, and at high speeds the maneuvers are very fast and precise, so the risk in these circumstances does not It exactly coincides with the idea of ​​enjoy it.

In summary we can group the current foilers into 3 large groups:

They are small foilers, monohull or multihull, for a single handed and they have a central inverted T-foil and another inverted T-foil in rudder on the same line. When they are monohull, flying on these boats without falling into the water is not easy. You have to establish a continuous balance by flying against heeling and keep your balance playing with the main sheet, and your weight.

In the case of multihulls, the outer hulls act as a float to stop preventing the overturns, as the small lateral wheels do on a bicycle when the child learns. but this solution does not eliminate the difficulty of the flight and slows down the speed of the boat every time the float enters into the water. they also use flaps with mechanical height sensors to control the flight height, and therefore require care and maintenance., they are dinghy catamarans for single or double handed and have four inverted t-foils., with a dynamic beam of around 2.5 m, which usually coincides with their hull beam, these foilers are much more stable than the 2t foils, but in them the use of trapezoids is usually common to compensate the heeling, which not everyone likes and less at high speeds., they also use flaps with mechanical height sensors to control the flight height, and therefore require care and maintenance., 2j + 2t foils, they are high-performance catamarans, of greater length and for more than two or three crew. it is common to see them compete on international circuits. their main foils are in j, which is the same as an underwater v when the boat heels, so they regulate the flight height without the need for flaps. they are very technical boats that require a lot of training and good physical shape. in addition they are not affordable since their price is usually not within the reach of every pockets..

If you are a training center or sailing school...

We are developing a strategic plan for the commercialization and international expansion of the Mothquito that may interest you.

F1x A-class foiling catamaran

World champion, lighter = better, craftsmanship, meet the foiling f1x a-class catamaran.

This is the ultimate singlehanded foiling catamaran of the moment: ultramodern, incredibly fast, very agile, extremely strong and feather-light, in an aerodynamic and ergonomic design. The perfect total package, packed in 1 foiling catamaran. This is the world’s coolest boat for singlehanded races and the winner of several A-cat world championships and many other sailing races.

The 2020-F1x A-cat is exactly the same foiling catamaran that made Mischa Heemskerk Vice-World Champion at the Herveybay Worlds 2018 in Australia and World Champion at Weymouth 2019. All our foiling F1x A-class catamarans come straight, ready to race and ‘Mischa-tuned’ from our factory.

Unique design enables top performances

The F1x A-class foiling catamaran is the ultimate reflection of our current design language. The aerodynamic design accentuates the performance qualities of this super fast foiling racing boat. The sophisticated deck plan provides clear control and minimal air resistance.

Foils The rudders and daggerboard foils used on the F1x A-class foiling catamarans are produced with the highest quality carbon pre-preg fibers. The foils are cured in our own Autoclave . Our winning foil design was created in close cooperation with Glenn Ashby and the designers of AC Team New Zealand .

Construction The F1x A-cat is manufactured entirely according to the carbon pre-preg/ Nomex production method, and cured in our Autoclave. This technology is the same as used in the aerospace industry and within other foiling boats like for example, the America’s Cup.

Design The design of the F1x foiling A-class catamaran was completely conceived by the DNA design team and made at DNA’s own yard. In the DNA design team Pieterjan Dwarshuis, Mischa Heemskerk and the renowned Dutch industrial design engineer Rudo Enserink worked closely together to create the perfect foiling A-class catamaran.

We build your new foiling boat!

Technical details.

The F1x A-class foiling catamaran has a number of unique features that improve performance. For example:

• Semi ridged trampoline. Gives extra torsional stiffness to the boat and increases its aerodynamic characteristics.
• Patented main-sheet-wheel-system. For more direct and faster trim of the main sail.
• Aerodynamically placed traveller car.
• Flexible daggerboard casings. For minimal water absorption in floating mode.
• Aerodynamically shaped ‘beams’.
• Adjustable T-rudders. Foiling with rudder differential is possible.

Specifications

LOA: 5.49 m BOA: 2.30 m Max. draught: 1.20 m Sail area: 13.94 m Total weight: ca. 53 kg Top speed: 31 kn Extra: All measurements according to IACA Class regulations.

Buy a champion's boat!

Are you excited to buy a F1x A-class foiling catamaran from DNA Performance Sailing? Please fill in our contact form:

Yes, I want a F1x A-cat!

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief en blijf op de hoogte van de nieuwste ontwikkelingen.

Contactformulier

• Company Name
• Full name * First Last
• Emailaddress *
• Phonenumber *
• Mijn vraag betreft * My question: TF10 F1x G4 F4 Custom Parts Hydrofoils Other
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Registrieren Sie sich für unseren Newsletter

lassen Sie sich über die neuesten Entwicklungen informieren!

• E-Mail-Adresse *

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief

blijf op de hoogte van de nieuwste ontwikkelingen!

• First name *
• Last name *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Wij gebruiken cookies om u de beste online ervaring te bieden. Door akkoord te gaan, accepteert u het gebruik van cookies in overeenstemming met ons cookiebeleid.

Wanneer u een website bezoekt, kan deze informatie in uw browser opslaan of ophalen, meestal in de vorm van cookies. Beheer hier uw persoonlijke cookiediensten.

• wordpress_test_cookie
• wordpress_logged_in_
• wordpress_sec

• FlySafe ® Foil Control
• iFLY Reviews
• Our Partners
• Distributors

Class Association

Enter your keyword.

Just enjoy high speed - foiling

” iFLY – Born to FLY “

Just enjoy foiling, ” high performance sailing “, ” we love speed “, ” join the adventure “.

iFLY15 – Technical SPECS

Length 4.63 m, 15 ft..

A Foiling Catamaran for 1-2 person(s) does not need to be any longer than this. The ancient rule that says you need length to achieve speed does not apply, as hulls do not touch the water at most times.

Width 2.50 m.

This width provides plenty of righting moment, still being road legal ato be transported in horizontal position without disassembly.

7.5 m mast / 11.2 sqm mainsail

7.5 m mast with 11.2 sqm deck-sweeper mainsail. – 8.5 m mast on iFLY RAZZOR Pro with bigger rig

Draft: 95 cm

Weight: 90 kg.

90 kg ready to sail. A very light boat, providing nonetheless excellent stability for everyday suitability.

Crew 1-2 - max.180kg

Flysafe® foil control.

T-Foils Main Foils and Rudders FlySafe automatic dynamic foil control Additional Option: Main Foil Differential >>>

Know More >>>

Different - Rig Options

LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF “DECK SWEEPING” MAINSAIL THE ROLLABLE HERU WING RIG LIGHT WIND FORESAIL «CodeF»

Full Carbon Hulls

Looking for the perfect setup for your foiling sailboat.

We can recommend the best iFLY setup and accessories for your boat. Get in touch for the ultimate sailing experience!

Performance

A great number of innovations all over the catamaran and the perfect match of all components allow controlled high-speed foiling experience. iFLY15 is full of innovations, e.g. in hull design, hydrofoils, rudders, automatic flight control system, two-layer wing trampoline, high performance rig…

HULL Design

full carbon – lightweight – performance design: Born to foil

High Performance Rig Options

LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF “DECK SWEEPING” MAINSAIL WORLD PREMIERE: THE ROLLABLE HERU WING RIG : WORLD PREMIERE: LIGHT WIND FORESAIL «CodeF». ALLOWS UPWIND FOILING (as well as other courses/points) ALREADY IN EXTREMELY LIGHT BREEZE. Know More >>>

Two Layer Trampoline

AERODYNAMIC INNOVATIVE WING TRAMPOLINE CREATING LIFT.

Full Carbon T-Foils 

SCIENTIFICALLY DEVELOPED high-end foils for early take off, high speed and maximum stability.

flySafe® dynamic foil control system

The foils are controlled independently, dynamically and precisely on both sides by the flySafe® foil control system . This enables high performance sailing through stable flight. The unique foil control system of IFLY15 is a 7 years proven system developed by CEC Catamarans.        Know More >>>

IFLY MAIN FOIL DIFFERENTIAL TECHNOLOGY

MDT FOIL CONTROL – iFLY rake control The sophisticated main foil differential is an active flight assistance – The Rake is adjustable while sailing. Advanced Rake Control is for the experienced, performance-oriented Catamaran sailors / pro sailors and is a feature on the iFLY RAZZOR Pro.      Know More >>>

Innovations and more   >>>

In the hand of the experienced sailor, iFLY15 is a high-performance racing machine. STABILITY IS NOT CONTRADICTORY TO HIGH PERFORMANCE OR SPORTINESS , on the contrary, it is a prerequisite for safe reaching and maintaining constant high speeds. Stable flight allows the sailor to concentrate on the course, on the wind, as well as on opponents and strategy – rather than permanently getting distracted by working on the foiling balance.

EARLY TAKE OFF IN WINDS AS LOW AS 2Bft. / 6 KNOTS , by combining the innovative “KickOff” foil control with a trampoline that provides boost and with the latest generation of rig and foils.

BOAT SPEEDS FAR BEYOND DOUBLE WIND SPEED CAN BE ACHIEVED . Enjoy high speed foiling with top speeds far beyond 25 knots – in ideal conditions up to 30 knots.

CONTROLLED FOILING EVEN IN THE UPPER WIND RANGE BEYOND 22KNOTS OF WIND SPEED – supported by the new FlySafe® Automatic Foil System.

FOILING PLEASURE AND PERFORMANCE ALSO IN CHOPPY WATERS

FREEDOM ! FLYING SOLO OR OPTIONAL WITH CREW . You have the choice. No manhunt for crew. But still enjoy the opportunity of taking a friend or family to fly with you. Up to 140kg of crew weight. (To keep the boat and especially the mast light, we specified the iFLY15 components intentionally not for double trapeze.)

NO HOISTING AND LOWERING OF DAGGERBOARDS while sailing. (Only for beaching or in shallow waters.)

FREEDOM TO SWITCH BETWEEN FLYING MODE OR SAILING AS A CONVENTIONAL CATAMARAN (with at least the leeward hull touching the water). Within seconds iFLY15 can be switched to Non-Flight mode, even while sailing. In that mode, iFLY15 will not take off, but the foils will still create lift and give an extra agile sailing behavior, which is on the same time very stable as rudder Foils will avoid pitch poling. Non-Flight mode is providing additional security in extreme high wind speeds. It is also useful for less experienced sailors or in all situations, where taking off is undesirable (e.g. in the harbor or while towing…).

EASY TO LEARN FLYING BY AVERAGE SKILLED AND TRAINED SAILORS

EASY BEACHING AND SLIPPING , as simple as with any conventional beach catamaran by using a standard catamaran beach trolley. Foils remain flat under the keel, with the daggerboard lifted as on a conventional catamaran.

SIMPLE TO DISASSEMBLE PLATFORM . Width of 2.50m is also road legal in most countries for horizontal transport without disassembly.

DAGGERBOARDS CAN BE PLUGGED IN FROM ABOVE and Foils securely anchored from below with one central screw.

FAST SET-UP OF THE iFLY15 FROM ROAD TRAILER TO SAILING . Simple rigging the mast, no genacker boom, no foresail, no spi.

SILENT AND CALM PLANING ABOVE THE WAVES . Flight height of up to 90cm, avoiding even high waves below.

EASY TO FOIL THE JIBE (without landing). Stable maneuvers are made easier by the fact that the four T-Foils always remain in the water.

« INTERNATIONAL FORMULA 15 FOIL » Class Association. The new development class for FOILING, SINGLE HANDED on MULTIHULLS. Multi manufacturer class in the tradition of a Formula18, A-Class or international Moth. Enables large regatta fields and evolution of the boats, following the technical progress (which is especially essential in the case in Foiling). Strict regulations to avoid uncontrolled exaggerated development.

Contact : [email protected]

Catamaran Europe Central

The iflysail team, is looking forward to your message, more to know about ifly foiling , interesting tech, high performance rig options >>>, flysafe® dynamic foil control system >>>, ifly main foil differential technology >>>.

MDT FOIL CONTROL – iFLY rake control

News and More

Ifly foiling experience >>>, press articles >>>, events >>>.

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Boat of the Year 2020 F101: Best Foiler

• By Dave Reed
• Updated: December 10, 2019

At A Glance

Price As Sailed: $24,750

Design Purpose: Learn to foil, advance skills

Crew List: One or two

Rob Andrews and his ­business partner Alan Hillman have been teaching foiling for a few years now, and one thing they’ve learned is we get better by sailing, not by swimming. Thus was the genesis of the F101, a craft with which they could teach the fundamentals of foiling—without the crash and burn. But it’s not just a learn-to-foil boat, either. It’s a platform with which new and experienced converts alike can take their ­foiling skill set to a higher level.

The key to mastering the F101, Andrews explains, is grasping righting moment. With the trimaran platform, you get plenty of it, as well as a stable boat that’s more forgiving than any other small foiler. “The trimaran configuration gives you righting moment direct from the foil in the middle hull,” he says, “and gives a measure of safety. It’s hard to capsize the boat.”

The judges learn as much when it comes time to sail the F101. In 15 knots and more, and a steep Chesapeake chop, Powlison is first to give it a go. He settles into the boat, gets his bearings, perches skittishly on the weather hull, sheets on the mainsail (no need to use the boat’s gennaker above 12 knots) and off he goes like a bat out of hell, popping up on the foils without even trying.

“The trick is getting used to the sensation of heeling to windward,” he says. “It takes a bit of trust. Once foiling, it’s quiet and fast, and I felt like I had to be really active on the mainsheet to keep it on the foils.”

That’s true of any foiler, but the beauty of the F101, the judges agree, is when you do lose it, it’s no big deal. The boat drops off its foils, the bows auger in and you get a face full of water; but just reset, bear away and try again.

“The hull shape picks up the buoyancy gently,” Stewart says, “which makes it depress smoothly and prevents it from pitchpoling. When I dumped it a few times I thought I was going in, but not a chance. You quickly realize there’s plenty of floatation there to save you. In flat water, with one day of training you’d get up to speed quickly.”

When teaching people to foil, Hillman starts with “skimming,” a ride height barely above the surface. As the sailor becomes more accustomed to how the boat behaves, there’s a simple line adjustment at the foil head: Dial it up one setting and increase your ride height.

As you’re sailing, the foil wand hanging behind the trailing edge effectively feels where the boat is riding relative to the water and actuates the main flap. In light winds, it gives you more lift, and the boat pops up on the foil. Get too high, and the wand drops down even ­further, forcing negative lift on the flap, which brings you back down to your desired height and prevents the foils from breaking the surface.

In terms of construction, the judges praise its carbon-and-epoxy build quality and the all-up weight of 180 pounds, which makes it easy to get to and from the water. With the F101 sitting on its dolly in the boat park, going sailing is as simple as pulling back the covers, hoisting the main and launching from a dock, beach or boat ramp with minimal fuss.

“What I like about it is that it’s one of those boats that you buy and don’t need to add anything to it,” Allen says. “There’s ­nothing to change out or upgrade.”

For simplicity, the boat is set up with adjustments that let you ratchet up the experience as you climb the learning curve. On the rudder foil, for example, there is a clear numbering system so that as you twist the tiller extension, you change the rudder rake. The baseline setting is zero, and it’s the same for the main foil. The only thing left is to balance the forces with the mainsheet.

“When I first got up on the foils, I was thinking to myself, ‘This is too easy; I should be working harder,’ ” Powlison says. “As they said, this boat solves a lot of the problems associated with other foiling dinghies. It’s a great high-performance boat that represents the next step in making foiling accessible to the public.”

See All Winners

Other Winners:

• 2020 Boat of the Year
• Best Crossover
• Best Multihull
• Best Foiler
• Best Dinghy
• More: BOTY , boty 2020 , foils , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Sporty and Simple is the ClubSwan 28

Nautor Swan Has A New Pocket Rocket

Pogo Launches its Latest Coastal Rocket

A Deeper Dive Into the Storm 18

Barcelona Breeze Increase Spikes Intensity

Luna Rossa Dominant on Busy Day in Barcelona

One and Done on Drifter Day of Cup Challenger Series

Shocks and Drops At Louis Vuitton Cup Start

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Waszp – the new one-design foiling Moth that could make learning to fly a little less painful

• Matthew Sheahan
• September 14, 2016

As a development class, the International Moth has been a hotbed of foiling innovations over the past few years. Matthew Sheahan reports on a new accessible one-design version

Waszp on display at Foiling Week 2016, Malcesine, Lake Garda. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

If there is one class of boat that has turned more heads around the world in the last decade than any other, it must surely be the foiling Moth. Having started as more of a stunt than anything more serious, there is now no other way to race a Moth.

Fleets worldwide have grown and the experts make foiling look effortless, yet the reality is that mastering the Moth is even more difficult than carve gybing a windsurfer. Yet there is no doubt that the combination of speed, silence and extraordinary looks has been, and continues to be, a big draw.

With so few rules, the International Moth – as opposed to the ironing board-shaped British Moth – has always been at the leading edge of design and development. Famous for its laissez-faire approach, it has just a few simple rules that have resulted in some of the most radical thinking in the sport.

But not everyone is able or willing to play. For some, the pace of development got too hot when hull shapes became little more than a plank on edge. A boat that would only float the right way up if you were moving and required the balance of a cat on a fence from the helmsman was a challenge too far for many sailors.

But as we now know, there was another big hike in performance to come as the Moth took to foils. Once again, some found this a step too far, though plenty rose to the challenge and helped to create a completely new style of racing. Those who have learned to foil have left the rest of us green with envy.

One design Moth

But a new design of Moth might change all that as the long-awaited WASZP goes on sale. Conceived five years ago by Andrew McDougall, designer of the MACH2 Moth, the idea was to make a foiling Moth not only cheaper, but easier to sail.

So while the WASZP is based on the foiling Moth and conforms to the few class rules that there are, it differs fundamentally in that it is a strict one-design. But it has other advantages for the less daring.

The stern has greater volume to prevent sinking during low-speed manoeuvres and tacking. This also helps keep the boat on the foils. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

For starters, the wings provide sufficient buoyancy to keep the boat the right way up when stopped, and they are also adjustable to allow you to alter the angle by which they rise towards their tips – technically called dihedral.

Setting the wings flatter, that is with less dihedral, is like lowering the stabilisers on a child’s bike. The outboard ends of the wings touch the water and support you before things go pear-shaped.

Looking like a pro

As you get more proficient at keeping the kind of balance that unicyclists take for granted, you increase the dihedral to allow you to sail the boat heeled to windward.

At this point the daggerboard T-foil is hauling you to windward while you look like a pro.

Furthermore, the mast is unstayed, making it simpler to rig and, with no shrouds to act as giant cheese wires, considerably safer when you do take a tumble. The main foil and rudder lift like conventional daggerboards so it’s easier to get on and off the beach.

Fully fledged Moths have a fixed daggerboard and rudder, which are fitted when the boat is on its side, leaving you to swim out into deeper water with the boat in tow like a dog with a stick before you can right it and sail away. The reverse process is required when coming ashore.

Clearly, this is not for everyone. With delicate, expensive carbon foils, you want to get this right from the start. Few do.

The WASZP, however, has foils that can not only be lowered progressively once you’re under way, like a Laser, but are made of alloy with injection-moulded tips, making them far more robust.

A conventional daggerboard and matching T foil rudder make life easier getting afloat and back ashore. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Worth the wait

The hull is an epoxy, glass, carbon-infused composite so it is tough, but light, weighing 48kg including foils. And although that’s around 18kg heavier than a modern Moth, the WASZP is the same weight as the RS Aero, which I know from experience is light enough to carry down to the water.

And then there’s the cost. At around US$10,000 (£7,550) it is said to be half the price of a fully tricked MACH2.

The project has been a long time coming, but now it’s here with a fleet racing at the recent Foiling Week held on Lake Garda there’s a buzz going around that it was well worth the wait.

Design features

One of the keys to the WASZP is the folding wings. Set horizontally, they act as stabilisers and can be raised as you become more proficient, using different-sized wing supports. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Different sail plans for different sizes and abilities of sailor have become popular in modern single-handed dinghies. The WASZP has a choice of 5.8 sq m, 6.9sq m or 8.2sq m sails. Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

A wishbone boom system, like that on a windsurfer, dispenses with a conventional boom and kicker and makes tacking easier. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

As with the Moth, the WASZP uses a wand to control the ride height automatically using a mechanical sensor system. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

With its unstayed mast it is easy to rig, there’s no rigging to collide with when you take a tumble and it’s easier to get back aboard after a capsize. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Extruded alloy sections and the mechanical hinge systems make for a simpler and more robust system than the composite foils in a Moth. They are also cheaper to replace. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

A concave profile bow allows better response in waves for the wand while providing greater volume forward to help prevent burying the bow during a bear away. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Home » Blog » Sail » Hydrofoil boats for the rest of us

Hydrofoil boats for the rest of us

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 18, 2023

Glide Free Foils Laser on foils. Photo credit: sailboats.co.uk ,

Watching foiling boats fly around the America’s Cup race course, is enough to quicken any sailor’s pulse. But unless you’ve got a spare few million kicking around, most hydrofoil boats are still very much out of the average boater’s budget . There are however a few ways to experience the magic of foiling without racing towards bankruptcy.

HOW DOES HYDROFOILING WORK?

Much in the same way that air flows over and under aircraft wings to create lift, water flowing around a hydrofoil lifts a boat’s hull out of the water . Once the greater part of the boat’s surface area is out of the water, friction is greatly reduced and the boat can “fly” at faster speeds .

How fast? The 2021 America’s Cup AC75s are expected to reach top speeds of 40 to 50 knots!

Like sails, foils are not a matter of “set it and forget it”, instead the foil-attitude must be adjusted to keep the boat in flight . On the 2017 America’s Cup boats these adjustments were made by the skipper/helmsman but powered (via a hydraulic system) by crew grinding winches (or in New Zealand’s case, pedal bikes ).

Because we don’t all have Jimmy Spithill ‘s magic touch, developing highly sophisticated flight control systems is key to bringing foiling into mainstream boating. Candela, a new 25-foot production e-foiling powerboat (and 2019 Best of Boats award winner) offers such a solution with foils that change position 100 times per second! Still, at ~$240,000 it’s well beyond most boating budgets. 

Fortunately, smaller foilers (dinghies and boards) don’t require high tech flight control systems and are far less expensive . Here are a few options for (more) affordable foiling:

HYDROFOIL DINGHIES

Laser foiling kits.

Clip a foil onto your Laser and fly over the surface of the water. Two Australian based companies, Foilsz and Glide Free Foils , offer Laser foiling kits. The Glide Free kit doesn’t require any permanent fixtures, so you can easily remove it (for those days when you’re in a displacement mode mood). They say that speeds of 18-25 knots are possible with their kit, which sells for just under $4,530 AUD (~$3,00 USD). 

UFO foiling multihull

For a few bucks more you can buy a foiling catamaran. The UFO was launched in 2017 and can fly at 15-20 knots. With a price tag of $7,000, it may be the most economical multihull foiler on the market.

Take a foiling course

Some clubs and community sailing programs are adding foilers to their fleets. For example Nantucket Community Sailing offers a 3-hour semi-private class for $100 per person . Or if you’re looking for a more exotic locale, the Provela Foiling Centre in Spain offers a range of foiling classes from beginner to advanced. Their two-day “Try Fly – Foiling” class costs 200 euros and their fleet includes Foiling Moths, White Formula Whispers, WASPZs, and F101s.

HYDROFOIL KITEBOARDS

It’s not like kiteboards are sluggish to begin with, but hydrofoil boards take the sport to a whole new level, delivering speeds of 40 miles an hour ! By using a foil to lift their boards out of the water, foiling kiteboard enthusiasts get an exceptionally quiet and smooth ride – so much so, that   kiteboard riders in Silicon Valley have been spotted taking calls on their cell phones. Set up costs start at around $1,000. Take a foil boarding course and buy protective gear, this extreme water sport is not for the faint of heart.

HYDROFOIL WINDSURF BOARDS

Foiling is taking off in the windsurfing world with world champions like Robby Naish and Atoine Albeau leading the charge. It has been confirmed that windfoiling will be a class at the 2024 Olympics in Paris . Set up costs start around $2,500. 

With foiling technology trickling down into the mainstream, you can expect to see more and more high speed foiling boats and boards on the water .  Is foiling the future? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

• Efoil Board

12 Best Efoil Boards in 2024

We gave our watersport team one task: Find the best and most popular eFoil board and review them.

Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.

You’ve seen the efoils flying gracefully above water, properly with some envy.

Now, you’re considering if you should get your own efoil. And you should! It’s the most fun I’ve ever had !

What is an efoil:

Efoils are motorized boards with hydrofoil fins that allow you to fly over the water. They are powered by a large battery sitting inside the board, and you control the speed with a remote in your hand.

To create this guide, we’ve gathered the top Efoil brands and done side-by-side testing to find the best efoils for you.

The Top 8 Efoil Board in 2024

All the efoil boards we've tested, sifly rider efoil.

Where to buy:

Where to buy sifly rider efoil:.

Buy in stores

The SiFly Rider efoil is a soft top mid-market electric hydrofoil board. Because of the forgiving outer material, price and peformance, it’s an appealing efoil for riders with a couple of sessions under the belt.

By customizing with different mast and wingsets, the very buoyant 110L Rider makes a case for an efoil that can take a beginner to a more advanced skillset. That’s because of the available upgrades.

While the 55 cm mast and and large wingset (the 1900 wing + 320 stablizer) is ideal for the less experienced, the 75 cm mast with larger wings is a great intermediate setup. It’s a good option for individuals improving their skills and others looking for a more freestyle experience.

Coupled with a decent remote and a ride time that’ll get an hour and a half, the Rider compares most immediately to the Waydoo Flyer One+.

• Ideal for: Beginner to Intermediate
• Buoyancy: 110 Liters
• Hull Dimensions: 161 x 66 cm
• Mast Height: 55 cm or 75 cm
• Hull Weight: 20.5 kg / 45.2 lbs
• Battery Weight: 12.5 kg / 27.5 lbs
• Total Weight: 33 kg / 72.7 lbs
• Charge Time: 2.5 hours
• Ride Time: Up to 2 hours
• Range: 30 km

Things we like:

Things we don't like:, audi e foil etron by aerofoil.

Where to buy AUDI e Foil eTron by Aerofoil:

Aerofoils’ Audi eTron is a jet-powered efoil board that immediately makes a case for the best luxury model in terms of aesthetics and cruising performance.

A carbon board with two available sizes (103 liters and 83 liters), Aerofoils has engineered a sleek model that will be very much at home on a private yacht rather than an efoil you’ll see at a rental shop by the beach.

The riding experience on these is fun and deserving of praise. With one of the better UX hand remotes, a good board surface to stand on and a reliable jet engine, Aerofoils boards will, though, appeal mostly to efoilers with a bit of experience.

A relatively high mast with 3 wing configurations adds a bit of versatility to ride style and provides enough room to grow your skills from beginner to master foiler. Expect a ride time of one and a half hours.

Owners might be worried about scratching it. But its elegant, shiny finish belies a robust product that will survive dings and light mishaps.

Check out the in depth review for details and visuals illustrating how good this efoil is.

• Ideal for: Intermediate to Advanced
• Mast Height: 80 cm
• Board Weight: 9.5 kg / 20.9 lbs (Adventure) & 8.5 kg / 18.7 lbs (Performance)
• Battery Weight: 19.4 kg / 42.7 lbs
• Charge Time: 120 minutes (fast charge), 5 hrs 30 min (slow charge)
• Accessories included: Transport bag, charger, battery, hand controller, board, mast, wings, and jet engine

Flite Air & Air Pro

Where to buy Flite Air & Air Pro:

An affordable and portable efoil is the Fliteboard AIR and AIR PRO. This is a board that will appeal to beginners because it’s inflatable and merciful on the body and the boat gel coat.

What we discovered during testing in the very weekend it was unveiled is the surprising performance factor after liftoff. Its interoperability with Flite’s mast and wingsets means a beginner will appreciate learning on the larger AIR, while a more adept rider will carve the s–t out of a session with a smaller, advanced wingset.

This is the newest addition to Flite’s considerable portfolio of efoils and it benefits from the three different propulsion options too. That means good for safety with the jet and prop cover, good for agility without the cover and great for wave riding with the folding prop.

• Length: AIR: 5'8" (173 cm) ; AIR PRO: 5'2" (158 cm)
• Weight: AIR: 59.3 lbs (26.9kg) ; AIR PRO 57.1 lbs(25.9kg)
• Volume: AIR: 110L ; AIR PRO: 80L
• Material: PVC drop stitch
• Compatible with: Most Flite products (propellers, batteries, wings)
• Features: Virtual gears, Unibody Fuselage, FliteJet, board Bluetooth
• Colors: Yuzu, Pompelmo, Açai
• Price: $6,995 USD

Awake Vinga 3

Where to buy Awake Vinga 3:

The Awake Vinga 3 is an eFoil experience that combines high performance and a beginner-friendly learning curve. It delivers one of the best-in-class jet-propelled eFoil boards on the market. It’s got the biggest sized jet engine, which offers specific benefits and is the easiest to assemble.

It’s also almost alone in requiring a leash for riding.

The quick assembly is made possible by its complete click-to-ride system to its ride time of 80 – 120 minutes at speeds around 30 mph / 50 km h.

Riders of all levels–with the appropriate wings–will appreciate its smooth flight, reduced noise, and range of riding and customizing options. Awake has set a new pace for the eFoil market with its Awake Vinga 3 eFoil board.

• Hull Dimensions: 170 cm x 69.85cm x 17.018cm / 5’6” x 27.5” x 6.7”
• Mast Height: 70cm / 27.5”
• Hull Weight: 20 kg / 44 lbs
• Battery Weight SR: 18 kg / 40 lbs (1.9 kWh power)
• Battery Weight XR: 22 kg / 48 lbs (2.8 kWh power)
• Charge Time: ~2 hours
• Accessories included: Awake Power Leash, Flex Battery Charger, Awake Flex Hand Controller, and Hand Controller Charger
• Ride Time: SR battery = 60-90 minutes XR battery = 90-120 minute

Waydoo Flyer One+ (EPP)

Where to buy Waydoo Flyer One+ (EPP):

Waydoo arrived on the electric board scene at a time when excitement for eFoils met with disappointment–they were all crazy expensive. The Flyer One+ continues Waydoo’s success in providing an eFoil at a little more than half the price of similar platforms.

We tested the EPP version of the Flyer One+ and experienced going from being cautious and critical about the product to being super stoked. The soft top, EPP model rather than the carbon version,  seemed somehow less dazzling.

But the EPP covering–like soft top surfboards –makes it very forgiving when learning the ropes. It also protects your car and house when moving or storing it.

At its current price, this is probably the eFoil with the best bang for the buck on the market right now.

See why we think that in our full review here:

• Weight: 62 lbs
• Ride Time: 120 minutes
• Capacity: 220 lbs
• Max Speed: 25 mph
• Power: 6000 W
• Range: 21 miles
• Charge Time: 2 hours

Where to buy SiFly E:

See more about SiFly E

The eFoil that is one of the easiest to start out on is the SiFly E. Its size and stability will keep riders on top of the board until they get the hang of flying.

The SiFly E is an excellent eFoil option for those looking for an entry-level board that virtually anyone of any board experience and size can learn to foil on, with a relatively low price tag.

It has 170 liters of volume and is super long, measuring 6’ 3”, making the SiFly E the most buoyant eFoil on the market. It comes with a standard guarded propeller, two options for mast height and a couple of different-size wing sets, so finding the ideal setup for your skill level is easy.

We were a group of 5 testers with different experience levels, including two seasoned riders and two never foilers. We all enjoyed it for different reasons.

• Ideal for: Beginners and young riders
• Weight: 34 kg / 75 lbs (total weight)
• Dimensions (LxW): 190 x 80 cm
• Volume: 170 Liters
• Speed: up to 45 km/h
• Mast Height: 55 cm / 22” or 75 cm / 30”
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery 44.8 Ah / 58.8V / 30 km range
• Material: Carbon fiber and fiberglass composite board with a light EPS core
• Charging time: 2.5 h

Lift 3 eFoil

Where to buy Lift 3 eFoil:

Lift eFoils

The innovators and designers at Lift created one of the most simple, easy, and beginner-friendly eFoils on the market. The Lift 3 eFoil may be the best beginner board for all riders.

Its the larger of Lift’s Series 3 boards with a volume of 88 liters that gives riders a steady platform to get used to while navigating the learning curve of eFoiling. The Series 3 costs significantly less than the 4th gen board, the main difference being less flying time.

Customizing the Lift 3 to match the skills of the rider as they grow is also a major upside that Lift has made possible, with easily changeable wings and propellers.

• Max Speed: up to 29mph
• Ride Time: 100min
• Weight Incl. Battery: 30lbs (can vary due to wing size)

Fliteboard 4 - 100L Board

Where to buy Fliteboard 4 – 100L Board:

Flite has some of the best efoils and the Fliteboard 4 incorporates the best of the sum of the company’s parts.

Atop the Series 4 mast with dual propeller options and wing combinations for rider level and style, the 100-liter board is a beginner and intermediate-friendly option that we enjoyed.

As intermediate riders, we appreciated the overall experience–the speed, the pick-up, the balance and the portability.

We can confirm that this is a quality board with good battery options, a comfortable deck and a speed and ride time that Flite promises.

• Weight: 58.4lbs with Sports Flitecell Battery
• Battery life: up to 90 minutes (Sport), up to 150 minutes (Explore)
• Rider Capacity: 265 pounds
• Mast Height: 29 inches
• Price: From $8994

Sifly Stellar eFoil

Where to buy Sifly Stellar eFoil:

Sifly has consistently appealed to beginner riders. With lower costs they’ve given leading brands on the efoiling market, such as Lift or Fliteboard, a run for their money by offering especially entry-level riders fun and affordable boards.

In this latest Stellar series, in S mall and R egular sizes, they have taken what worked with their original boards and upgraded what they could.

This is the first Sifly board to integrate carbon fiber into its construction, which suddenly makes this board resemble more expensive ones. Throw in a one and half to two hour ride time and the Stellar really impresses.

This Stellar board is a larger volume of boards, ranging from 98 liters and 120 liters. Thanks to the use of carbon fiber and air, they are relatively light and easier to carry.

• Ideal for: Beginner + → Intermediate
• Buoyancy: S - 98 liters, R - 120 Liters
• Material: Carbon fibre sandwich with a light EPS core
• Hull Height: S - 5’3”, R - 5’8“
• Hull Weight: S - 23 lbs (10.6 kg), R - 26lbs (11.6 kg)
• Mast Height: 22”(55 cm) or 30”(75 cm)
• Total Weight: 70.5-73 lbs (32-33 kg)
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery 44.8 Ah / 58.8V

Where to buy PWR eFoil:

Designed by Red Wood Paddle, the PWR e-Foil was created for those looking for a more exciting extension of their SUP and foil experiences. A solid and sturdy board that is lightweight makes the PWR eFoilgreat for floating over the water’s surface. Powered using a remote control, the board has 3 speeds and modes. PWR, with Red Wood Paddle, have 4 eFoil sizes so there is a board fit for everyone and all levels, making this eFoil great for first time foilers to advanced foilers.

After two years of product developments, PWR have created a reliable, durable and lightweight eFoil in 4 various sizes and 3 different colours. As customisable as they get in this new market, when purchasing a PWR board you can choose board size, along with the size of the mast and wing, either 1500cm2 or 2000cm2.

With two choices of battery from the classic to the long range model these boards can be made to fit your specific requirements, guaranteeing fun and comfort whilst on the water. The battery charges quickly taking 1.5 to 2 hours maximum, great for charging quickly and using the board for long periods of time.

• Max Speed: 24mph
• Ride Time: 90min
• Weight Incl. Battery: Depends due to board size, mast size and battery choice

Fliteboard AIR

Where to buy Fliteboard AIR:

The inflatable Fliteboard Air is a very excellent efoil to start hydrofoiling on.

There’s a carbon center for the battery and electronics around which the PVC board inflates, making for the softest and most forgiving material on an efoil today. That softness is merciful on knees and elbows as well as the finish on yachts.

As the most buoyant efoil in Flite’s 2 gen series of boards, the Air allows most riders to stand up and stay balanced and upright because of the inflatable rim. This also provides the best option for heavier efoilers.

With the bigger FliteCell battery, you can also easily get 2 hours as an intermediate rider.

As experienced efoilers we also enjoyed the experience of riding the Air. We also appreciated it when transporting it and noted how beginners found it easier to get going on.

• Buoyancy: 164 liters
• Mast Height: 24 in / 60 cm
• Board Weight: 43 lbs / 19.6 kg + Battery
• Battery Weight: 24 lbs / 10.9 kg -- 14.5 kg / 32 lbs
• Charge Time: 2 hours (fast charger), 3 hours (standard charging)
• Listed Ride Time: 90 - 150 minutes

Related Reviews

Read full review

We’ve made the most comprehensive guide to the efoil. Here you can find the answer to any questions you may have about efoil. You can also discover how to get started, how to find the right efoil and general tips for starting your efoil journey. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that this beginner’s guide to efoil will answer.

What is an efoil? How does an efoil work?

• How to efoil?
• What happens if I fall off?

How are efoils different to surfboards?

What is an efoil?

An efoil is a type of hydrofoil that uses an electric motor to push the board, rather than a sail. Also known as electric foil, electric hydrofoil, and e-hydrofoil, this new niche of water sport is exciting because it allows you to go faster than windsurf boards (that are only equipped with a sail) and surfboards that require waves.

• How does an efoil work?

Most efoils work through a lithium-ion battery that powers a motor that is attached to a hydrofoil. The motor has propellers that push the hydrofoil forward creating lift and thrust by displacing the water behind the hydrofoil.

For your first ride make sure to take things slow and become familiar with the controller and handling of the board in order to build confidence and comfort with the efoil. Make sure to set your controller to a low setting and turn it off before taking your efoil into the water.

Find a wide open water area that has smooth water and no obstructions such as swimmers, buoys, or boats. It’s important that the water is flat as riding your efoil on rough water will make it difficult for you to find your balance and stand up.

Additionally, make sure the water is deep enough for your board to float before placing your efoil, so that the hydrofoil doesn’t get damaged by coming into contact with the sea bed.

Slide onto the board and lie on your belly and turn the controller on to ride. Gently engage the throttle and slowly accelerate while still lying on your belly.

Make some gentle turns and get comfortable with both the board and throttle. From there move to your belly to your knees and increase acceleration until the board becomes more stable.

Once you are comfortable with the speed and stability, slowly transition from your knees to your feet while maintaining the throttle. Try to take a wider stance when standing for additional stability when riding.

If it’s your first time on an efoil you will probably fall off when trying to stand up. Don’t worry if you fall off, as you should hit the water relatively softly, and assuming you’re wearing a personal flotation device, you should be fine.

Do make sure to use the last bit of control you have when riding the board to bail, by pushing or jumping away from the board. It’s important to put as much distance as possible between you and the board when falling off to avoid getting hit by the propeller.

It’s important to remember to stop your board after you’ve fallen into the water as the efoil will only stop if you release the trigger found on the controller. The efoil doesn’t have a leash (for safety reasons) meaning you will have to swim back to it.

How are they different from surfboards?

Efoils are different to surfboards in a number of ways. Firstly, you don’t need a wave to ride an efoil, all you need is a charged battery and waves might actually make it harder to ride the efoil.

Secondly, you can go much faster than on a surfboard and your board won’t be making contact with the water at faster speeds, giving you a smoother and more comfortable ride.

For surfboard enthusiasts, electric surfboards offer an alternative to efoils, however they maintain contact with the water and do not have hydrofoil technology. Instead, electric surfboards offer a motorized version of a surfboard.

If you’re interested in an electric surfboard  check out our guide to electric surfboards here.

If you’re more likely to take up traditional surfing make sure you  check out our guide to surfboards here.

Frequently asked questions

We’ve tested and reviewed more than 10 different efoils for all the major brands. Over time we’ve gotten to love these 5 the most:

• Fun & Affordable : SiFly Rider eFoil
• Great Design : AUDI e Foil eTron by Aerofoil
• Portable, Affordable, Versatile : Flite Air & Air Pro
• Quick Setup & Pickup : Awake Vinga 3
• Affordable Intermediate Board : Waydoo Flyer One+ (EPP)

Glad you asked. We’ve created an extensive guide on efoiling with some pointers for you:

• What exactly is an efoil?
• How are efoils different from surfboards?

The ride time you have on the efoil depends on how long the charge lasts. Of course, the charge lasts a different amount depending on the brand of efoil you are using and the selected settings. Generally, you should be able to get between an hour and a half to two hours out of a single charge.

The size of efoil you should buy depends on a number of different factors. The rider’s size and weight should be taken into consideration for choosing a size as bigger efoils tend to have a higher weight capacity. Additionally, the rider’s experience level is also a factor that plays into choosing the right efoil size. Efoils with large surface areas will have more stability and are prefered by beginners to the sport. On that note, if riding an efoil is a bit daunting for you, you may want to start with something with a much shallower learning curve, such as riding a classic bodyboard .

Depending on battery size and efficiency the charge can last anywhere between 60 to 120 minutes on the water, or 1-2 hours.

To power an eFoil the battery of the board will need to be anywhere between 6kW and 10kW.

E-foil prices vary anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000. Cost depends on materials, battery power, as well as size, design and wings.

If you are an experienced foiler any size will fit and for beginners wider and larger boards, with larger wings, tend to provide more stability when on the water. A smaller board size will be more manoeuvrable, making it easier to carve and learn tricks.

On this page

Table of content:, breadcrumbs.

• / Efoil Board

I’m new to sport. I love paddelboarding and want to foil. Im a fit and flexable 70 year old what’s best starter board 195 pounds 5-10 “

Hi Dean. eFoiling is more demanding in the beginning than most realize. Usually, videos of relaxed individuals swaying gently atop a board are shown for promotional reasons and visual pleasure. But, the impact from falling and smacking a leg against the board can take its toll when learning. The Sifly E has a board size that’s ideal for your profile and there’s an available “training wheel” fin to put on in addition. Otherwise the Flite Air is a good option too. Don’t know your budget but the Sifly is the less expensive option, while the Flite is a more portable one.

Very happy with my Fliteboard Pro. Works like a charm.

I can understand. It’s a great eFoil. Thanks for sharing.

Hi there I have purchased my efoil from SiFly 4 months ago and I am very satisfied with the Board it has an excellent battery range about 2 hours of riding, perfect handling and also it has a mobile app so you can keep an eye on your sessions (tracking, time, speed and so on). I strongly recommend!

We’ve not heard anything about this brand. Which model of theirs do you have? I can see they have specs on most of their models that state 2 hours but rarely does it pan out that way.

Hi..I am thinking to by Sifly..is it gid choice..

Yes, it’s a good choice. SiFly has excellent boards for beginners in the SiFly E, and great bords in the Budget range with the Rider and Rider+, and now they have the Steller boards, which are more high-end. So, there’s really something for everyone.

Any of the e-foils in the guide would do for most needs. I’d suggest you start at the top of our list here and go down.

Which E-foil do you recommend

Definitely the Stellar. Price to quality ratio is the best.

Continue reading

Onyx Curve MOVEMENT

Sea Hawk Cukote

Classic Accessories

Cobalt R35 Outboard

Gallery of efoil board review.

The founder of Flite introduced DIVEIN to the efoil before testing.

Lift 3 5’4” eFoil (matte black), Lift 3 4’9” eFoil (brushed blue).

• Waterproof Backpacks
• Duffel Bags
• Hiking Backpacks
• Waterproof Gear
• Teepee Tents
• Camping Chairs
• Heated Socks
• Marine Binoculars
• Night Vision Goggles
• Windbreaker Jackets
• Collapsible and Folding Wagons
• Portable Power Stations

• Dive Computer
• Scuba Diving BCD
• Scuba Regulators
• Freediving Fins
• Diving Wetsuits
• Women’s Wetsuits
• Scuba Diving Drysuits
• Rebreathers
• Scuba Diving Masks
• Snorkel Masks
• Full Face Diving Mask
• Full Face Snorkel Masks
• Prescription Dive Masks
• Prescription Snorkel Masks
• Snorkeling Gear
• Kids Wetsuits
• Seiko Dive Watches
• Best Underwater Cameras
• Waterproof Cameras
• Underwater Scooters
• Best Dive Knife
• Dive Lights
• Underwater Metal Detector
• Reef Safe Sunscreen
• Scuba Tanks
• Dive Destinations
• Liveaboards

• Paddle boards (SUP)
• Best Touring Paddle Boards
• Best Beginner Paddle Boards
• Motorized paddle boards
• Electric SUP Pumps
• Paddles For Paddle Boarding

• Beach Chairs
• Beach Umbrellas
• Beach Wagons
• Beach Tents
• Beach Canopy
• Beach Towels
• Beach Blankets
• Water Shoes
• Water Socks
• Boogie Boards

• Swimming Goggles
• Swimming Fins
• Swimming Earplugs
• Women’s Swim Shorts

• Getting into Sailing
• Life Jackets
• Marine Flares
• Waterproof Marine Radios
• Pontoon Boat Accessories
• Sailing Gloves
• Boat Fenders

• Inflatable Kayak
• Folding Kayaks
• Tandem Kayaks
• Sit On Top Kayaks
• Sea Touring Kayaks
• Ocean Kayak
• Pedal Kayaks
• Fishing Kayaks
• Kayak Life Vests
• Kayak Shoes
• Kayak Paddles
• Kayak Trailers
• Kayak Anchors
• How to Choose a Kayak – A Beginner’s Guide
• How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? [What You Need to Know]
• Kayaking Gear for Beginners
• What to Wear Kayaking
• Kayak Safety

• All Mountain Snowboards
• Snowboard Boots
• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Helmets
• Snowboard Jackets
• Atomic Skis
• Blizzard Skis
• Ski Resorts in the US

• Travel Backpacks
• Weekender Bags
• Packing Cubes
• Suitcases and Travel Luggages
• The Best All-inclusive Resorts in the World

• Men’s Yoga Pants
• Yoga Shorts
• Yoga Mat Bags
• Yoga Blocks

• Laptop Backpack
• Mini Backpacks
• Mesh Backpacks
• Clear Backpacks
• Fanny Packs
• Water Bottles

• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Pants
• Waterproof Watches
• Waterproof Headphones
• Snorkel Fins
• Best Snorkels
• Best Dive Sites in the World
• Best Dive Resorts in the World
• Central & South America
• North America
• Southeast Asia
• Indian Ocean
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Red Sea
• All Liveaboards
• Liveaboards in Australia
• Liveaboards in Fiji
• Liveaboards in Micronesia
• Liveaboards in Myanmar (Burma)
• Liveaboards in the Maldives
• Liveaboards in the Philippines
• Liveaboards in Egypt
• Liveaboards in Costa Rica
• Liveaboards in Belize
• Liveaboards in Mexico
• Liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands
• Aggressor Liveaboards
• Liveaboard in Thailand
• Liveaboards in Indonesia
• The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide
• Bluefin Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide
• Isle Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide
• Red Paddle Co. Ride 10’6
• ROC Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide
• The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide
• Blackfin Paddle Boards
• Pontoon Boats
• Bowrider Boats
• Motor Yachts
• Cabin Cruiser Boats
• Inflatable Boats
• Electric Surfboard
• Jet Body Boards
• All-Mountain Skis
• Ski Bindings
• Ski Poles for Downhill & Touring
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Gloves and Mittens
• Ski Jackets
• Ski and Snowboarding Pants and Bibs
• Ski Helmets
• Best Resorts in North America
• Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
• Copper Mountain Ski Resort
• Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort Area Review
• Jackson Hole Ski Resort
• Telluride Ski Resort
• Aspen Ski Resort
• Crested Butte Ski Resort
• Kirkwood Ski Resort
• Alta Ski Resor
• Park City Ski Resort
• Winter Park Resort
• Breckenridge Ski Resort
• Vail Ski Resort
• Snowmass Ski Resort
• Heavenly Ski Resort
• Taos Ski Valley
• Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort
• Ski Santa Fe
• Angel Fire Ski Resort
• Sun Valley Ski resort
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Aruba
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Cabo
• All-inclusive resort in Cancun
• All-Inclusive Resorts In Costa Rica
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Cozumel
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Hawaii
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
• All-Inclusive Puerto Rico Resorts
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Tulum
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Turks and Caicos
• Best Diving in the Caribbean
• Diving in Guadeloupe
• Diving in Aruba
• Diving in Antigua and Barbuda
• Diving in the Bahamas
• Diving in Barbados
• Diving in Bonaire
• Diving in the British Virgin Islands
• Diving in Cayman Islands
• Diving in Cuba
• Diving in Curacao
• Diving in Dominican Republic
• Diving in Grenada
• Diving in Jamaica
• Diving in Martinique
• Diving in Puerto Rico
• Diving in St. Maarten
• Diving in St. Lucia
• Diving in Tobago
• Diving in the Turks and Caicos
• Diving in Belize
• Diving in Costa Rica
• Diving in the Galapagos Islands
• Diving in Mexico
• Diving in Roatan Honduras
• Diving in California
• Diving in Florida
• Diving in North Carolina
• Best Diving in Southeast Asia
• Diving in Thailand
• Diving in the Philippines
• Diving in Indonesia
• Diving in Vietnam
• Diving in Cambodia
• Diving in the Maldives
• Diving in Australia
• Diving in Japan
• Diving in Fiji
• Best Diving in Europe
• Diving in Mallorca
• Diving in Malta
• Diving In Denmark
• Diving in Egypt
• All Liveaboards in Thailand
• Liveaboards in the Similan Islands
• All Liveaboards in Indonesia
• Liveaboards in Komodo
• Women’s Life Vest
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa del Carmen
• All Diving in Mexico
• Diving in Cozumel
• Diving In Similan Islands – Khao Lak Area
• Diving in Malapascua
• All the Diving in Indonesia
• Diving in Bali
• Diving in Gili Islands
• Diving in Komodo
• Diving in Sulawesi
• Diving in Raja Ampat
• All Diving in Australia
• Diving In Brothers Islands

Paddle boarding

Everyday Life

10 Best Small Sailboats (Under 20 Feet)

Compact, easy to trailer, simple to rig, easy to maintain and manage, and affordable, the best small boats all have one thing in common: they offer loads of fun while out there on the water.

So whether you're on a budget or just looking for something that can offer ultimate daytime rides without compromising on safety, aesthetic sensibilities, alternate propulsion, and speed, the best small sailboats under 20 feet should be the only way to go.

Let's be brutally honest here; not everyone needs a 30-foot sailboat to go sailing. They come with lots of features such as electronics, entertainment, refrigeration, bunks, a galley, and even a head. But do you really need all these features to go sailing? We don't think so.

All you need to go sailing is a hull, a mast, rudder, and, of course, a sail. And whether you refer to them as daysailers, trailerable sailboats , a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing than on small sailboats.

There are a wide range of small boats measuring less than 20 feet available in the market. These are hot products in the market given that they offer immense thrills out on the sea without the commitment required to cruise on a 30-footer. A small sailboat will not only give you the feel of every breeze but will also give you the chance to instantly sense every change in trim.

In this article, we'll highlight 10 best small sailboats under 20 feet . Most models in this list are time-tested, easy to rig, simple to sail, extremely fun, and perfect either for solo sailing or for sailing with friends and family. So if you've been looking for a list of some of the best small sailboats , you've come to the right place.

So without further ado, let's roll on.

Table of contents

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-15"}}

The Marlow-Hunter 15 is not only easy to own since it's one of the most affordable small sailboats but also lots of fun to sail. This is a safe and versatile sailboat for everyone. Whether you're sailing with your family or as a greenhorn, you'll love the Hunter 15 thanks to its raised boom, high freeboard, and sturdy FRP construction.

With high sides, a comfortable wide beam, a contoured self-bailing cockpit, and fiberglass construction, the Hunter 15 is certainly designed with the novice sailor in mind. This is why you can do a lot with this boat without falling out, breaking it, or capsizing. Its contoured self-baiting cockpit will enable you to find a fast exit while its wide beam will keep it steady and stable no matter what jibes or weight shifts happen along the way.

This is a small sailboat that can hold up to four people. It's designed to give you a confident feeling and peace of mind even when sailing with kids. It's easy to trailer, easy to rig, and easy to launch. With a price tag of about $10k, the Hunter 15 is a fun, affordable, and versatile boat that is perfect for both seasoned sailors and novices. It's a low-maintenance sailboat that can be great for teaching kids a thing or two about sailing.

Catalina 16.5

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-16-5"}}

Catalina Yachts are synonymous with bigger boats but they have some great and smaller boats too such as Catalina 16.5. This is one of the best small sailboats that are ideal for family outings given that it has a big and roomy cockpit, as well as a large storage locker. Designed with a hand-laminated fiberglass sloop, the Catalina 16.5 is versatile and is available in two designs: the centerboard model and the keel model.

The centerboard model is designed with a powerful sailplane that remains balanced as a result of the fiberglass centerboard, the stable hull form, and the rudder. It also comes with a tiller extension, adjustable hiking straps, and adjustable overhaul. It's important to note that these are standard equipment in the two models.

As far as the keel model is concerned, this is designed with a high aspect keel as the cast lead and is attached with stainless steel keel bolts, which makes this model perfect for mooring or docking whenever it's not in use. In essence, the centerboard model is perfect if you'll store it in a trailer while the keel model can remain at the dock.

All in all, the Catalina 16.5 is one of the best small sailboats that you can get your hands on for as low as $10,000. This is certainly a great example of exactly what a daysailer should be.

{{boat-info="/boats/hobie-16"}}

There's no list of small, trailerable, and fun sailboats that can be complete without the inclusion of the classic Hobie 16. This is a durable design that has been around and diligently graced various waters across the globe since its debut way back in 1969 in Southern California. In addition to being durable, the Hobie 16 is trailerable, great for speed, weighs only 320 pounds, great for four people, and more importantly, offers absolute fun.

With a remarkable figure of over 100,000 launched since its debut, it's easy to see that the Hobie 16 is highly popular. Part of this popularity comes from its asymmetric fiberglass-and-foam sandwiched hulls that include kick-up rudders. This is a great feature that allows it to sail up to the beach.

For about $12,000, the Hobie 16 will provide you with endless fun throughout the summer. It's equipped with a spinnaker, trailer, and douse kit. This is a high-speed sailboat that has a large trampoline to offer lots of space not just for your feet but also to hand off the double trapezes.

Montgomery 17

{{boat-info="/boats/montgomery-17"}}

Popularly known as the M-17, The Montgomery 17 was designed by Lyle C. Hess in conjunction with Jerry Montgomery in Ontario, California for Montgomery Boats. Designed either with keel or centerboard models, the M-17 is more stable than most boats of her size. This boat is small enough to be trailered but also capable of doing moderate offshore passages.

This small sailboat is designed with a masthead and toe rail that can fit most foresails. It also has enough space for two thanks to its cuddly cabin, which offers a sitting headroom, a portable toilet, a pair of bunks, a DC power, and optional shore, and a proper amount of storage. That's not all; you can easily raise the deck-stepped mast using a four-part tackle.

In terms of performance, the M-17 is one of the giant-killers out there. This is a small sailboat that will excel in the extremes and make its way past larger boats such as the Catalina 22. It glides along beautifully and is a dog in light air, though it won't sail against a 25-knot wind, which can be frustrating. Other than that, the Montgomery 17 is a great small sailboat that can be yours for about $14,000.

Norseboat 17.5

{{boat-info="/boats/norseboat-17-5"}}

As a versatile daysailer, Norseboat 17.5 follows a simple concept of seaworthiness and high-performance. This small sailboat perfectly combines both contemporary construction and traditional aesthetics. Imagine a sailboat that calls itself the "Swiss Army Knife of Boats!" Well, this is a boat that can sail and row equally well.

Whether you're stepping down from a larger cruiser or stepping up from a sea kayak, the unique Norseboat 17.5 is balanced, attractive, and salty. It has curvaceous wishbone gaff, it is saucy, and has a stubby bow-sprit that makes it attractive to the eyes. In addition to her beauty, the Norseboat 17.5 offers an energy-pinching challenge, is self-sufficient, and offers more than what you're used to.

This is a small, lightweight, low-maintenance sailboat that offers a ticket to both sailing and rowing adventures all at the same time. At about 400 pounds, it's very portable and highly convenient. Its mainsails may look small but you'll be surprised at how the boat is responsive to it. With a $12,500 price tag, this is a good small sailboat that offers you the versatility to either row or sail.

{{boat-info="/boats/sage-marine-sage-17"}}

If you've been looking for a pocket cruiser that inspires confidence, especially in shoal water, look no further than the Sage 17. Designed by Jerry Montgomery in 2009, the Sage 17 is stable and should heel to 10 degrees while stiffening up. And because you want to feel secure while sailing, stability is an integral feature of the Sage 17.

This is a sailboat that will remain solid and stable no matter which part of the boat you stand on. Its cabin roof and the balsa-cored carbon-fiber deck are so strong that the mast doesn't require any form of compression post. The self-draining cockpit is long enough and capable of sleeping at 6 feet 6 inches.

The Sage 17 may be expensive at $25k but is a true sea warrior that's worth look at. This is a boat that will not only serve you right but will also turn heads at the marina.    

{{boat-info="/boats/laserperformance-laser-sb3"}}

Having been chosen as the overall boat of the year for 2008 by the Sailing World Magazine, the Laser SB3 is one of the coolest boats you'll ever encounter. When sailing upwind, this boat will lock into the groove while its absolute simplicity is legendary. In terms of downwind sailing, having this boat will be a dream come true while it remains incredibly stable even at extraordinary speed.

Since its debut in 2004, the Laser SB3 has surged in terms of popularity thanks to the fact that it's designed to put all the controls at your fingertips. In addition to a lightweight mast, its T- bulb keel can be hauled and launched painlessly. For about $18,000, the Laser SB3 ushers you into the world of sports sailing and what it feels to own and use a sports boat.

{{boat-info="/boats/fareast-18"}}

As a manufacturer, Fareast is a Chinese boat manufacturer that has been around for less than two decades. But even with that, the Fareast 18 remains a very capable cruiser-racer that will take your sailing to the next level. In addition to its good looks, this boat comes with a retractable keel with ballast bulb, a powerful rig, and an enclosed cabin.

Its narrow design with a closed stern may be rare in sailboats of this size, but that's not a problem for the Fareast 18. This design not only emphasizes speed but also makes it a lot easier to maintain this boat. Perfect for about 6 people, this boat punches above its weight. It's, however, designed to be rigged and launched by one person.

This is a relatively affordable boat. It's agile, safe, well-thought-out, well built, and very sporty.

{{boat-info="/boats/chuck-paine-paine-14"}}

If you're in the market looking for a small sailboat that offers contemporary performance with classic beauty, the Paine 14 should be your ideal option. Named after its famous designer, Chuck Paine, this boat is intentionally designed after the classic Herreshoff 12.5 both in terms of dimensions and features.

This is a lightweight design that brings forth modern fin keel and spade rudder, which makes it agile, stable, and faster. The Paine 14 is built using cold-molded wood or west epoxy. It has varnished gunnels and transoms to give it an old-time charm. To make it somehow modern, this boat is designed with a carbon mast and a modern way to attach sails so that it's ready to sail in minutes.

You can rest easy knowing that the Paine 14 will not only serve you well but will turn heads while out there.

{{boat-info="/boats/wd-schock-lido-14"}}

Many sailors will attest that their first sailing outing was in a Lido 14. This is a classic sailboat that has been around for over four decades and still proves to be a perfect match to modern small boats, especially for those still learning the ropes of sailing.

With seating for six people, the Lido 14 can be perfect for solo sailing , single-handed sailing, or if you're planning for shorthanded sailing. While new Lido 14 boats are no longer available, go for a functional used Lido 14 and you'll never regret this decision. It will serve you well and your kids will probably fall in love with sailing if Lido 14 becomes their main vessel during weekends or long summer holidays.

Bottom Line

There you have it; these are some of the best small sailboats you can go for. While there are endless small sailboats in the market, the above-described sailboat will serve you right and make you enjoy the wind.

Choose the perfect sailboat, invest in it, and go out there and have some good fun!

Related Articles

Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Best Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom

December 28, 2023

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K

Popular posts.

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

FREE SHIPPING OVER $100! (USA)

• 1500 Kit (Wood)
• 2300 Kit (Wood)
• Kite Foil Kit (Wood)
• High Aspect Aluminum Kits (select size)
• 1500 Kit (Aluminum)
• 2300 Kit (Aluminum)
• 1500 Universal Wing
• 2300 Universal Wing
• High Aspect Wings (select size)
• Universal Kite Wing
• Stabilizer Fleet
• 2'11" Peanut Kit (Build yourself)
• 3'11" Peanut Kit (Build yourself)
• WingFoil Boards (Build Yourself)
• Peanut Boards (Complete)
• WingFoil Boards (Complete)
• 5'6 Classic Fish
• 7'2 Midlength
• 8'0 Mini Mal

Skateboards

• Build Videos
• USD INR GBP CAD AUD EUR JPY

Build Something Epic!

Build, Buy, Kite, Surf, Pump

Wood, Aluminum, Kite, Surf, and Pump

Universal wings to fit all hydrofoils 

Boards + Kits

Boards to fit any foil 

Everything needed to start building

WingFoil Kits

BIG boards shipped easy!

WingFoil Boards

Boards Built In Our Shop

EZ Ship Surf Blanks

The easiest surf blank option!

Surf inspired Longboards!

• From foil kits to single bolts... We've shipped 4,000 orders and counting!

Build yourself or Buy Complete

Build your own foil with a utility blade and sandpaper, or buy a foil completed in our shop thats 100% ready to ride!

Computer Designed

Computer modeling ensures precision down to the millimeter. 

• Delivery Worldwide Click here for more info

CNC Milled to Perfection

Parts are cut in-house on our CNC, allowing for endless designs and possibilities.  

Featured in

Building foils easy.

See it in action!

Build the next Adventure

Home » Cheap Hack for 10 percent more upwind Sailboat Performance

Cheap Hack for 10 percent more upwind Sailboat Performance

When a boat owner considers upgrading their boat to make it safer and get more performance, often the first thought is for new sails which are expensive, but a cheap hack is to improve the foils (centreboard or leeboard) which might take little more than a couple of weekends and cost around 50 bucks.

How much sailing Performance Improvement from foils? #1 Cruising Sailor – Chuck Pierce TX

Chuck Pierce is a well known Texas Adventure Sailor. He was interested to improve the performance of his Mayfly 14 to make the boat more capable for cruising.

Chuck wrote: The leeboard was initially roughly shaped according to Jim’s instructions. I tried to get both sides the same, but didn’t spend a whole lot of time on it. I had a whole boat to build, and had never done any of this boat building stuff before. It worked ok. I sailed the Mayfly for about 3 years with the board like that.

In 2014 I got some fairing compound and made a template (sized up appropriately) from the OzGoose plans that you were nice enough to send me, and spent a couple of hours fairing it to the foil shape you use, so that I could use it on ECDuck in the Tx200 that year.

It did quite well on that trip. I was able to go places (upwind) that some of the others could not. This was useful. :) When I put it back on the Mayfly, it made that boat sail even better. She comes about smartly, and seems to have less leeway going upwind.

I have a plan for making notes on compass heading vs GPS track when I tack up the Port Mansfield channel on this year’s 200 so that I can figure out exactly how much leeway she is making.

How much sailing Performance Improvement from foils? #2 Cruising Sailor – Robin (Sydney)

Robin is a old friend, pilot, builder of sailboats and aircraft. He probably rolls his eyes when I talk about the difference that accurate foil shapes make to the handling and performance of a boat. At a tiny fraction of the cost of a new set of sails he improved the performance of his Ness Boat.

Robin wrote: Applying Mik’s Viola foil templates to the centreboard of an Oughtred Ness Boat. First impressions under sail: less heeling and easy speed to windward where it used to take a fair bit more concentration (non performance sailor point of view). On my sail last Sunday I just found myself having to pay much less attention to getting through and acceleration after each tack. Definitely worth a few weekends work.

So how was Robin’s boat before – Why make the effort?

From Robin: I had of course read your stories on storerboatplans.com, particularly the Orange Boat one, and I’d bought several of your plans with the template included.

The boat can work to windward but I think not as well as it could (from reading) and I usually had problems tacking, decelerating quickly, getting caught in irons and having to back wind the main to come about.

Even “Scaring Ourselves” because of trickier handling than some Ness Boats.

When the boat was starting the new tack it felt ‘mushy’,

I’d bear away to try picking up speed and lose some of what I’d gained on the previous tack.

Every now and then it could get into a groove which was startlingly different but I had no idea how to reliably and repeatedly get into it. Putting on my flying hat I thought of the narrow WW1 airfoils and the nasty stall characteristics, and that it was quite possible that my centreboard, during construction or in the intervening 15 years of groundings and trailer dents, was doing something similar.

4 Part Series – Homemade foils for better Performance and Safer Handling

• Adding around 10% to upwind performance with accurate foils.
• Don’t use Plywood for Centreboards, Rudders and Leeboards
• Shaping Foils using a template in not much time
• Glassing the Accurate Foils
• Protecting foils with simple centrecase and rudderbox paddling

How Robin reshaped his foils

First Robin chose a section. As above he decided to use our foil section in our plans which is derived from the optimisation work by Neil Pollock.

The simplest way to get hold of the template is to buy our Oz Goose Plans for $36. There is a lot more than just that section that will be useful. It is really a boatbuilding course in a book. We have a scaling method in the plans or you can blow up the section on a photocopier.

And the whole building process is covered step by step.

In general the leading edge is 30% of the foil width. The trailing edge around 50% of the foil. The extra approximate 20% width is a flat area that prevents the foil from rocking around as you shape it which increases accuracy enormously. The 20% extra can be cut off the back of the foil so it goes down to zero to provide an accurate taper if desired.

Both methods rely on the template and foil sitting on a flat surface which becomes a reference surface. The thickness of the foil also has to accurately match the max height of the template. When the base of the template hits the table and the highest part of the template matches the thickest part of the foil … you are done!

Template type 1

Robin has a bandsaw so printed, scaled and glued the paper copy to the timber he was going to use as a template. Use a non water based glue or the paper will change shape.

Robin planned to glue his sandpaper to the template with hot melt glue and release with a hot air gun. He found this a bit slow.

One point .. there should be no sandpaper on the area of the template that runs along the high point of the foil

Template type 2 – most common method

The more common type of template is just ply. And you work from top to bottom of the foil marking the high spots. Then remove them using a plane intially. Then mark the high spots using the template again. Getting closer change over to a sandpaper block. When the last high spot is just gone, the foil is shaped!

The other way to get the foil shape – plot the original Pollock foil curves

I strongly believe that section accuracy almost trumps section choice. In the NS14 class “Laminar flow” sections are popular despite the boats spending most of their time far below the Reynold’s numbers where the laminar section has any advantage.

Pollock Leading Edge.

y=Tmax*( 8*SQRT(x)/(3*SQRT(XLE)) – 2*x/XLE + x^2/(3*XLE^2) ) where: y is the thickness at a given value of x Tmax is the maximum thickness as a fraction of the chord x is the position along the chord from 0 to 1 XLE is the length of the tapered leading edge. (the LE is upper case because a small L could look like a 1 or I.

Pollock Trailing Edge.

y=Tmax*(1 – (3*x^2)/(2*Xte^2) + x^3/(2*Xte^3)) where: y is the thickness at a given value of x Tmax is the maximum thickness as a fraction of the chord  x is the position along the chord  x is 0 at the beginning of the taper and x increases to Xte at the trailing edge of the foil Xte is the length of the tapered trailing edge

How much sailing Performance #3 Racing Sailor (me in a past life)

We know the 10% figure from the NS14 class which recorded the times of boats involved in races. They found a 4 minute time improvement. As well and the handling and safety improvements. This might not sound like much, but it only increases upwind speed. Upwind time was around 35 to 50 mins.

In the 1970s I bought a second hand NS14 Dinghy (one before the one above). The centreboard and rudder were around the normal length but the boards were a bit wide. So I decided to modify them myself reshaping in line with more modern theory – moving the point of maximum width back slightly and producing a pair of really smooth shiny foils.

A year later I felt that I had got the hang of the boat and was now looking to do everything possible to make it faster. A new mast, new sails the fittings reorganised so the boat would work like clockwork. It improved a bit more.

Finally I decided to get rid of my homemade foils and buy the best ones available.

Racing Revelation

The first time I raced the boat was a revelation. Suddenly I was in amongst the top few boats in speed. But more importantly the boat felt completely different.

Exactly as Robin experienced with his quite different boat it would now tack and gybe faultlessly coming out of the manoeuvres with heaps of speed rather than having to get the boat moving again. (just like Robin) When there were big waves and lots of wind it would sail smoothly – before it used to stagger and stall. When sailing in tight conditions with lots of boats around (like milling around before the start) it gave me the confidence to go in close and pick out a good spot without getting into tangles with other boats.

Qualitatively and quantitatively the boat was much better – safer and more fun. The difference between my hand hewn foils and the manufactured ones is not really all that great – almost the same amount of labour – but the manufactured foils were built carefully to accurately reflect the correct airfoil (wing) section.

They used templates to get that accuracy. With this knowledge I have never needed to pay someone for first class foils. About 150 dollars worth of materials and a few hours of light labour (for small boats anyhow) and I can make a set the equal of what I could buy for around 1000 bucks.

Oz Goose Plans with foilmaking instructions and template with scaling method. (Can also scale using the printing scaling on your computer. https://www.duckworks.com/product-p/oz-goose-id.htm

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

A foiling dinghy made in France

Ready to use innovation for all..

Thanks to a pool of brilliant talents and engineers, Birdyfish has totally reinvented the sailing learning dinghy. No other dinghy in the world can match her handling in rough seas. Simply put she’s the future of leisure dinghies.

What they say about us

Public price.

• Length 4.7 meters
• Width 1.9 meters (without foil)
• Sail area 14m2 upwind 22m2 downwind
• Fully equipped weight 135kg

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Allen Phantom UK National Championship at Sunderland Yacht Club - Day 1

Related Articles

Upcoming Events