[scottmacheda]

The design became very popular as passenger ferries, and today there is still a large number of these operating around the world, particularly in previous Russian countries, Japan and the Mediterranean countries. According to the inventor's opinion, there is probably no other high-speed concept that has transported the same amount of passengers so far. Compared to modern type high speed crafts, like catamarans and monohulls, the design has lost it's popularity, and can no longer compete in terms of speed requirements and passenger comfort, though it still maintain an edge over these regarding speed-to-power efficiency. [links]

[directair]

On of the most significant steps in high-speed marine technology development came in the mid seventies when Boeing, USA, developed the Jetfoil. As the Rodriquez hydrofoils, the conceptual design is based on a monohull that is lifted clear of the waterline at higher speed, However, the foil system is based on the fully submerged type, which consists of a substantially plane fully submerged foil span supported by three vertical struts. As opposed to the surface-piercing hydrofoil, it is not self-stabilizing and therefore depends on controllable flaps integrated to the following edge of the foilspan. The primary foil is located aft extending to the full width of the craft, and provides the primary lift and roll stabilization. A lesser foil (T-foil) is located in the centerline forward and supported by a vertical strut. This provides a secondary lifting force as well as the required pitch controlling momentum. All foils can be tilted upward when the craft is in a fully displacement mode. The 27.4 m and 117 tons displacement Jetfoil design has a normal service speed in foil-born mode of around 45 knots. This design has the advantage of excellent seakeeping and high speed-to-power efficiency. The disadvantages, however, are high building costs, technical complexity, overall weight- and payload capacity restrictions.

[fawn247]

Attempts to create a hydrofoil had been made in England as early as 1861. The first hydrofoil to be tested successfully was built by Enrico Forlanini from Italy. It used a ladder system of foils and a 60 hp engine driving two counter-rotating air props. During testing on Lake Maggiore in 1906, this craft reached a top speed of 42.5 mph.

[kosovito]

The surface piecing hydrofoils were commercially developed in the mid fifties and produced in series by Rodriquez in Italy. As known, these are based on a monohull fitted with a forward- and aft-located surface piecing hydrofoil arrangement, which in the transverse section features a V-like shape of the foil span. Thus parts of the foil span protrude the waterline on both sides, and provide a transverse righting momentum when the craft heels causing the surface piercing foil span to be submerged. The hull is completely lifted out of the water at higher speed, being self stabilized in roll and pitch by the surface piecing hydrofoil arrangement. It is propelled by fully submerged propellers, mounted on inclined shafts. The advantages of this conceptual design over traditional monohulls of similar size were improved seakeeping and power-to-speed efficiency at service speed around 35 knots. The disadvantages were larger complexity, building costs, weight- and speed restriction. Therefore the design is generally limited to an overall length of around 40 m and maximum displacement of around 150 tons. [links]

[rodrick3nie]

Baron Hanns von Schertel worked on hydrofoils prior to and during World War II in Germany. The first hydrofoil built to carry passengers was made in 1936. Five different types of hydrofoils were ordered by the German Armed Forces during World War II. After the war Schertel's team was captured by the Russians. Schertel himself went to Switzerland, where he established the Supramar company. In 1952, Supramar launched the first commercial hydrofoil, PT10, in Lake Maggiore, between Switzerland and Italy. [links]

[bagazaga]

A March 1906 Scientific American article by American hydrofoil pioneer William E. Meacham explained the basic principle of hydrofoils. After reading this article Alexander Graham Bell, famous for inventing the telephone, began to sketch concepts of the "heavier than water craft", which he called the "hydrodrome". With Casey Baldwin he began hydrofoil experimentation in the summer of 1908. Bell's first hydrofoil, the HD-1, achieved speeds of 72 km/h in 1911 and 80 km/h in 1912. The HD-2 broke up. The HD-3 was built in 1913, but further work on hydrofoils slowed during the Great War. On 09 September 1919 Bell's HD-4 set a world marine speed record of 114 km/h (70.86 mph), when the world's fastest steamships travelled at only 50 km/h. This record stood for ten years.

[tomdetroit]

Sergio Cutolo: It is worth pointing out that a vast array of sophisticated stern hydrofoils are widely used on boats of different size and type to reduce pitching while improving fuel efficiency. This kind of hydrofoils gets the boat on plane more quickly and not only benefits water-skiers and powerboat racers, they also improve safety and efficiency by keeping the bow down.

[nisilva9h2]

NauticExpo e-Magazine: What about stern foils and the Hull Vane?

[areko]

Hydrofoils application on sailing boats deserves its own chapter. They are indeed widely used on highly sophisticated sailing boats, America’s Cup boats included.

[XaviorPenguin]

There are two main hydrofoils configuration: surface-piercing and fully submerged hydrofoils. In the former configuration, part of the V-shaped hydrofoils rises above the water surface; operations become limited as wave height exceeds the hydrofoil’s strut length. Fully submerged hydrofoils are less subject to the effects of wave action and assure better seaworthiness. However, they need quite sophisticated stabilization systems. more

[lior]

NauticExpo e-Magazine: Any significant application in the yachting industry? [links]

[Pieter Wuille]

Naval architect Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec takes stock of hydrofoils.

[marcelus23]

While a hydrofoil is indeed a great buy, you must ask yourself if you need it. It has been designed to solve a few specific problems and if you are not experiencing any of them, you do not need to invest in it. Here are the problems we are talking about: more

[fuzeman]

This one is easily our favorite especially due to its durability. We barely see any other hydrofoil for outboard motors offering as much as the Davis Doel-Fin does. Don’t believe us? Read on for more details: [links]

[Necrathex]

The hydrofoil works by reducing the drag and elevating the boat as its speed increases in water. The lift you get thanks to the hydrofoil is directly proportional to your speed. A hydrofoil for the outboard motor will remind you of a whale’s fin and it goes above the propeller.

[drwhite]

Depending on your preference, please pick any of the above – satisfaction is guaranteed! [links]

[weed]

They’ve become very popular in boating communities across the world. And due to this, Hysucat has their models built with them. This is due to quite a few benefits that hydrofoils provide for boat owners. more

[daemox]

Even on days when waters are at their most peaceful, you can still expect a few waves to hinder a smooth ride with your vessel. Another great benefit of hydrofoils is that thanks to their lift feature, your vessel will be in little contact with the water as it operates. And with little contact with the water, your boat will be able to ride more smoothly. [links]

[NuAngel]

A hydrofoil boat is one of the greatest investments that you can make. It will provide tremendous enjoyment every single time you’re out on the water. If you’re a boating enthusiast, it would be an absolute mistake to miss out on the opportunity to own a hydrofoil. But if you’re new to boating or have never even heard about hydrofoils before, then continue reading below to learn about them and their benefits.

[prometheus]

Hydrofoils can increase the speed of your vessel drastically. With the lift that occurs once your hydrofoils are operating, you’re dealt with less drag and resistance that’s caused by the water. Thanks to this, your boat will be able to cruise at greater speeds that you’ve never thought was possible. [links]