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DragonFoiler / RC Foiling Trimaran

Dragonfoiler rc foiling trimaran, from paul goddard.

Dragon Sailing North America is proud to offer our skippers the latest in cutting edge RC Sailing technology with the affordable  & Revolutionary DragonFoiler, RC Foiling Trimaran brought to you from the mind of  design guru Paul Goddard from New Zealand!

Based on the center hull section of the DragonFlite 95, the DRAGONFOILER is a battle-tested.  affordable and readily available boat you can fly and race! The DragonFoiler Kit is made from 3D Printed PETG Carbon Fiber which is extraordinarily tough and heat resistant! The kit has  fully wound Carbon Fiber support beams and comes either unassembled, or fully Ready-To-Fly with options that make it affordable with widely available DF95 parts and electronics! We offer the DragonFoiler in several different configurations: 

DragonFoiler DF 95 Foiling Trimaran Conversion Kit (No Hull, but all kit components supplied)

DragonFoiler DF 95 Foiling Trimaran Conversion Kit

(with Base Hull,  no servos installed)

Dragonfoiler df 95 foiling trimaran (complete except electronics).

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Hydrofoiling remote controlled sailing trimaran on test + Video

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Want to build a small foiling trimaran

Discussion in ' Multihulls ' started by neptunkryssare , Aug 3, 2014 .

neptunkryssare Peter

Just not to be missunderstood. I am asking for two things, First, I would like to find plans for real boats that is close either of the boats which are in the videos. Preferable around 560 or so. It does not need to be class-legal . Material - plywood and/or foam. Second - if that is not possible, I would like to find plans for similar rc-boats that I can build and gaign some experience from. Only modification I would like to do for NF3 If I could, Just slightly larger amas as failback. And no, I am for some reason not very found of windrider. Maybe thats because I want to build the boat myself. Because there are no plans for that trimaran, I am trying to find a way to accomplish my wishes in some other way. To my sadness I have not fond anything near that is possible for me to buid more than as a rc-boat, so I figure I should start there and build a rc-boat first to gain some experience. I have found 2 videos of quite similar rc-boats that best suit my wishes. If I find plans for such a rc-bot I would like to play around with some modifications. Preferable modifications I would like to do is 1.AXE-Bow 2."Flexing" amas. 3. and I guess most important - selfadjusting foils. But I can not find planes for building them. Do anyone know to find plans for similar rc-boats to start from.? OR maybe even better- full scale plans for boats of that kind.? If I can get full-scale plans, then I think that I maybe I first build a modell of the fulls-scale plans before I make the real thing.  

Doug Lord Flight Ready

Small Foiling Trimaran Peter, you might try posting on the German Mini 40* forum, link below. I received a nice note from the guy in your second(RC Hydrofoil Sailing...) video, Christophe Hubscher. (his note is under comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmXCdAlo4mk ) I'm sure he would help you and his boat is excellent! I have his e-mail--e-mail me and I'll give it to you. My e-mail is in my profile-click on my name. http://www.rc-network.de/forum/forumdisplay.php/166-Mini-40 Also you can send a PM( if you've reached the 5 post threshold) to "PerthMini40man" who posted in the MPX thread here: post 1238 http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/mu...lf-righting-trimaran-test-model-36058-83.html His "real" name is Ian Holt and he has designed some excellent surface piercing foilers. It appears that he stays within the Mini 40 Rules which prohibit an oversquare platform. Any surface piercing foiler will benefit greatly from an oversquare platform. Check posts 934 and 1175 as well. Also you could join and post here: http://www.rcgroups.com/sailboats-59/ There are a few multihull guys that post once in a while-one-Dick Lemke-may be able to help with plans. *Mini 40- length 48" Beam 48"-and sail area is limited-forgot the number. ==================== A surface piercing foiler will be simpler to build, but there is another type of foiler that could interest you and that uses fully submerged foils with wand altitude control. I designed and built a number of F3 foilers around 14 years ago. The great advantage of this type foiler is that it develops 100% of its righting moment using the foils. You might consider this for your second foiler. I can help with the technical stuff.  

Attached Files:

F3 foiler 4.jpg, f3 foiler reef points.jpg, f3 foiler 4 - copy.jpg, f3 foiler 2.jpg.

foilers Here are some full size cats using fully submerged and surface piercing foils-just for reference to foil systems: ================== Heres a video of a brand new 18' cat using a version of the same basic system Dr. Sam Bradfield used on his tris: dual independent wands controlling T-foils on each side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6bXg0LI5EQ#t=16 And here are some stills and a link to the Whites Dragon-an 18' foiler using surface piercing foils( http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/multihulls/whites-dragons-mini-hydroptere-esq-35062.html ). And don't forget to check out the 18' Flying Phantom and Nacra F20FCS foiler threads here-both use UptiP foils(pioneered in AC 34 by TNZ) as well as the much larger GC32 thread here-just to learn about foil types:  

Whites Dragons on foils.jpg

White dragon 2.jpg, whites dragon 2 6-25-11.jpg.

Skyak Senior Member

neptunkryssare said: ↑ Just not to be missunderstood. I am asking for two things, First, I would like to find plans for real boats that is close either of the boats which are in the videos. Preferable around 560 or so. It does not need to be class-legal . Material - plywood and/or foam. Second - if that is not possible, I would like to find plans for similar rc-boats that I can build and gaign some experience from. Only modification I would like to do for NF3 If I could, Just slightly larger amas as failback. And no, I am for some reason not very found of windrider. Maybe thats because I want to build the boat myself. Because there are no plans for that trimaran, I am trying to find a way to accomplish my wishes in some other way. To my sadness I have not fond anything near that is possible for me to buid more than as a rc-boat, so I figure I should start there and build a rc-boat first to gain some experience. I have found 2 videos of quite similar rc-boats that best suit my wishes. If I find plans for such a rc-bot I would like to play around with some modifications. Preferable modifications I would like to do is 1.AXE-Bow 2."Flexing" amas. 3. and I guess most important - selfadjusting foils. But I can not find planes for building them. Do anyone know to find plans for similar rc-boats to start from.? OR maybe even better- full scale plans for boats of that kind.? If I can get full-scale plans, then I think that I maybe I first build a modell of the fulls-scale plans before I make the real thing. Click to expand...

Foilers Peter,talking with Christophe would be your best bet on getting plans for an RC foiler. Ian Holt might also be able to help for a Mini 40 version. Your idea of building a model to learn about this stuff is a good idea and has been done by some of the best in the business.  

Doug Lord said: ↑ Peter, you might try posting on the German Mini 40* forum, link below. I received a nice note from the guy in your second(RC Hydrofoil Sailing...) video, Christophe Hubscher. (his note is under comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmXCdAlo4mk ) I'm sure he would help you and his boat is excellent! I have his e-mail--e-mail me and I'll give it to you. My e-mail is in my profile-click on my name. http://www.rc-network.de/forum/forum...hp/166-Mini-40 Click to expand...

foilers Initially, you said you wanted a trimaran-have you changed your mind. A trimaran does better with an oversquare beam which gives you more power at little cost in weight. The only reason Mini 40's are square is because of a crazy rule.....  

Doug Lord said: ↑ Initially, you said you wanted a trimaran-have you changed your mind. A trimaran does better with an oversquare beam which gives you more power at little cost in weight. The only reason Mini 40's are square is because of a crazy rule..... Click to expand...

And yes, thats one of the reasons why I search for other planes than the mini 40s that I downloaded.  

idkfa Senior Member

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXSgZCDVWOM  

idkfa said: ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXSgZCDVWOM Click to expand...

Foilers Peter, as you get more into this you'll be able to distinguish foil types better: the model in your video uses surface piercing foils(automatic altitude control with speed)-you can tell because of the angle. The rudder T-foil is a trailing foil that "follows" the main foils. The rigs are similar in principle to the Hobie Trifoiler, but the Trifoiler uses fully submerged foils controlled by forward facing "feelers" that move the foils to control altitude. Hope it works out with Christophe!  

R.Finn Junior Member

So all this hoopla with Doug's Fire Arrow, and there's already a very lovely, simple and wandless design out there, making it look easy. Thanks for linking those videos. They're refreshing to see.  

R.Finn said: ↑ So all this hoopla with Doug's Fire Arrow, and there's already a very lovely, simple and wandless design out there, making it look easy. Thanks for linking those videos. They're refreshing to see. Click to expand...

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Foilers R.Finn said: ↑ So all this hoopla with Doug's Fire Arrow, and there's already a very lovely, simple and wandless design out there, making it look easy. Thanks for linking those videos. They're refreshing to see. Click to expand...

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Fast hydrofoiling sailing with RC Multihull

More video on  PerthMini40man YouTube Channel

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3 thoughts on “ fast hydrofoiling sailing with rc multihull ”.

felicitation you made a perfect job what are those? shock absorbers?

Where can i get one of these

Refer to the author of the video. The sole way for to contact him we know is through YouTube message system you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/user/PerthMini40man/about

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Achieve Your Potential in Competition IOM Sailing

Vickers RC Sailing

Producer of the V11 Competition International One Metre Design by Ian Vickers.

Our workshop opened in 2014 with the V8 IOM. Since then we have produced hundreds of hand crafted IOM yachts in the Vickers design range. Yachts that have helped IOM competitors around the world achieve their potential and exceed expectations in competition.

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The V11 design is a hull, foils and bulb package to compliment the full range of conditions experienced in RC Sailing. The hull design has full volume forward and features the familiar chines and tumblehome of the modern IOM for reduced weight and windage, as well as good tracking characteristics. The V11 features our peaked style foredeck for efficient water shedding when buried downwind and a geometrically strong shape for the forestay and mast ram areas.

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RC Foiling Trimaran for Sale: The Ultimate Sailing Machine

• By - Kyle Hilson
• Posted on November 14, 2023 November 15, 2023
• Posted in RC Boats

RC Foiling Trimaran for Sale: A Technological Marvel in Sailing

If you are a passionate sailor and love the thrill of speed, you may have come across the RC Foiling Trimaran. This boat is a technological marvel designed to provide an exceptional sailing experience. The RC Foiling Trimaran is a three-hull boat, specifically tailored for high-performance sailing, racing, and maneuverability. The hydrofoils on the hull elevate the boat out of the water level, resulting in a smoother, faster, and more efficient ride. The sleek carbon fiber build and sturdy structure make this boat durable and lightweight. It is outfitted with a wireless remote control with an easy-to-use joystick for directional control. You can easily adjust the angle of attack of the foils to optimize the speed of the boat while sailing.

The RC Foiling Trimaran has revolutionized the sailing experience with its advanced sailing technology. It is designed to slice through the water elegantly while remaining stable and smooth. Its hydrofoil system makes it easier to sail and move through waves with lesser resistance. The boat’s speed capability is remarkable and can reach up to three times faster than typical sailboats. It offers a thrilling ride and competitive racing experience with other marine vessels. With the easy-to-use software, anyone can control this boat without any prior sailing experience. It is efficient on both calm and choppy waters, allowing you to sail as fast as you want without losing control.

Overall, the RC Foiling Trimaran is a perfect sailing machine that delivers excitement, efficiency, and a unique sailing experience. It’s particularly well suited for those who love speed, maneuverability, and competition. If you’re thinking of getting one, there are many retailers offering this vessel, either online or in-store. It is a lifetime investment and an unforgettable experience, perfect for anyone seeking thrills and adventure on the open water.

Features of RC Foiling Trimaran

The RC Foiling Trimaran comes packed with features to provide an exceptional sailing experience. Some of the features that make it an ideal sailing vessel include:

• Hydrofoil system for efficient, stable, and smooth sailing
• Carbon fiber build , which is both lightweight and durable
• Wireless remote control for directional control using a joystick
• Easy-to-use software ensure that anyone can control the boat without prior experience
• Remarkable speed capability , up to three times faster than typical sailboats
• Sturdy structure for maneuverability and racing with other boats

Apart from these, it is equipped with many other features that you would expect in a high-performance sailing vessel. If you are looking to purchase this vessel, several online retailers offer the RC Foiling Trimaran for sale. You can also visit your local hobby store. The cost of the RC Foiling Trimaran varies, depending on the features, model, and retailer you choose. Make sure to consider these factors carefully before making a purchase. Additionally, ensure that you have the essential accessories—for example, the charger, batteries, and radio equipment needed to operate the boat. This vessel comes with many benefits and offers a lifetime of enjoyment and racing on the water.

What are the features of a trimaran?

A trimaran is a type of boat that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is designed to be faster and more stable than traditional monohull boats, thanks to its unique construction. At the heart of the trimaran is its hull, which is different from that of a monohull in that it features one main, larger hull flanked by two smaller “floats” on either side. These floats are connected to the main hull by lateral beams, resulting in a distinctive three-hulled design that sets the trimaran apart from other boats.

While a trimaran is rigged similarly to a monohull, it differs in the way it heels. Thanks to its extra hull, a trimaran offers less hydrodynamic resistance and therefore greater speed. The keel of a monohull can limit its speed, but with a trimaran, there is less need for a deep keel, allowing it to travel at higher speeds more easily. This makes the trimaran ideal for racing or for those who want to get from one place to another more quickly.

In contrast to the trimaran, a catamaran has two equal-sized parallel hulls. While similar in concept to a trimaran, catamarans have wide beams that offer greater stability but may reduce speed. Additionally, a trimaran has the ability to sail in shallow waters, which can be a significant advantage in some locations.

Overall, the trimaran’s unique design makes it an attractive option for those looking for a fast, stable, and versatile boat that is ideal for a range of water-based activities. Whether you are a sailor, racer, or simply looking for a comfortable and stable vessel for your next adventure on the water, a trimaran is certainly worth considering.

RC Foiling Trimaran is available in a variety of models, each with unique features, specifications, and price. Here are some popular types of RC Foiling Trimaran for sale on rcfoilingtrimarans.com:

• Ready-to-run (RTR) model
• Do-it-yourself (DIY) model
• Professional model

The RTR model is a great choice for anyone that wants to start racing without dealing with the hassle of assembling the boat. The DIY model , on the other hand, is ideal for hobbyists who enjoy building things from scratch and want to customize their boat. Lastly, the professional model is designed for serious racers who want to compete at a high level.

When considering the purchase of an RC Foiling Trimaran, you must evaluate your needs and budget to select the best model for you. It’s good to note that regardless of the model you pick, you will get a vessel that offers excellent sailing performance. Moreover, owning an RC Foiling Trimaran comes with many advantages, including the ability to experience the thrill of racing, improve your boating skills, and sail on a variety of water bodies from pools to oceans.

If you’re interested in purchasing an RC Foiling Trimaran, there are many options available to you. Consider checking out HobbyKing, which offers a variety of RC Foiling Trimarans for sale. Another great option is SailboatsToGo , which features a selection of high-quality RC Foiling Trimarans. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find the perfect RC Foiling Trimaran for your needs and budget.

How much does a foiling catamaran cost?

It’s no secret that sailing can be a costly hobby or profession, and that’s especially true when it comes to high-tech, high-performance boats like foiling catamarans. But just how much does a foiling catamaran cost?

For those not in the know, a foiling catamaran is a type of boat that uses hydrofoils to lift the hulls out of the water, reducing drag and allowing for incredible speed and agility on the water. And as you might expect, these types of boats don’t come cheap.

That being said, there are some relatively affordable options out there if you know where to look. One such option is the UFO, a foiling catamaran that was launched in 2017 and can reportedly fly at speeds of 15-20 knots. But perhaps even more impressive than its performance is its price tag: at $7,000, it’s one of the most economical multihull foilers on the market.

Of course, $7,000 is still a significant amount of money, and there are plenty of other foiling catamarans out there that cost much more. But for those looking to get into the world of foiling without breaking the bank, the UFO could be a compelling option to consider. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the ins and outs of foiling if you’re not already familiar with this exciting and challenging style of sailing.

Where to buy an RC Foiling Trimaran

Now that you know the different types of RC Foiling Trimaran, you might be considering investing in one . Here are some sources where you can purchase an RC Foiling Trimaran :

• Your local hobby or toy store is sometimes selling them , and you can see them in person, get advice and information, and find out about any promotions or deals they may have.
• You may be able to purchase an RC Foiling Trimaran online from sites like Amazon or eBay . You will have many options to choose from, and you can even compare prices from different sellers.
• Specialized RC sailing websites like BG Sails offer an extensive range of models, kits in various shapes and sizes, that you can choose to match your preferences and budget.

No matter where you decide to buy your RC Foiling Trimaran , always ensure that you are purchasing from a credible seller and that the transaction is protected from fraud. Additionally, some online communities and forums may offer advice on purchasing RC Foiling Trimarans from reputable sellers .

In conclusion, investing in an RC Foiling Trimaran can provide exceptional entertainment while also providing an opportunity for sailing competitions. Research the size, shape, and model that suits your interests and budget, purchase from an authorized dealer to ensure authenticity, and maximize your recreational and leisure opportunities with RC Foiling Trimarans.

In summary, the RC Foiling Trimaran offers an exciting and thrilling sailing experience for both seasoned sailors and beginners. By taking advantage of foiling technology, you can sail effortlessly, quickly, and smoothly over the water. The design of a trimaran with three hulls along with the latest technology and materials ensures that you are investing in a vessel that’s stable and safe for you and anyone else on-board. Owning an RC Foiling Trimaran provides a unique opportunity to showcase your sailing skills and take on any water challenge with class and speed.

Whether you are looking for a fun activity with your friends, a unique leisure activity, or a chance to compete in sailing races, the RC Foiling Trimaran has everything you need to have an unforgettable experience. So, don’t wait any longer, get your hands on an RC Foiling Trimaran today and let yourself be immersed in the joys of sailing on water like never before.

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Everything electric boats and boating

Classic look hydrofoiling electric boat debuts in Moscow

A team in Russia has developed this sleek hydrofoiling electric boat with a retro-tech classic runabout look, both inside and out.

The boat is called the Molniya – Russian for ‘lightning’ – and uses fixed surface piercing (SP) foils rather than the retractable inverted-T fully submerged (FS) type on boats like the Candela 7 .

The Molniya prototype was built by Artem Markov and a small team he assembled in Moscow. Markov is a graduate of the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute, where he was part of their Formula MADI electric car racing team that competed against other universities from around the world.

Hydrofoiling electric boat idea started in 2016

Like many other electric boat developers he is also a long time sailor and says “ I have never been able to understand what is the beauty of going on motor boats with a lot of vibration and noise. So, I decided I wanted to find a way to transfer the silence and comfort of a sailing yacht to a boat. The idea came to me in 2016, and from that moment I started working on the project .”

He is a big fan of the work that the team at Candela has been doing, and is well versed in their reasonings of why hydrofoiling is the way to reduce drag and increase efficiency and comfort. So he knew foiling was the way to go and began to design his dream boat.

It is one thing to know exactly what one wants, but b udget realities quite often make inventors adapt. So he found a classic fibreglass-and-aluminum hull and went to work redesigning and converting it. The team had to strengthen and reinforce the hull to handle the stresses from the front foils. At the stern of the boat they designed  protruding half-wings that would help lift the boat onto those front SP foils as it accelerated.

80kW motor mounted to stern drive unit 

That gives the 8.9 m • 29 ft boat a cruising speed of about 20 kts • 37 km/h and maximum speed of 36 kts • 66km/h. As for range, the Molniya can go for 135 Nautical miles at 5 kts, 17 Nm at 25 kts and 20 Nm at the top speed. 

For the battery, they have taken stock lithium-ion cells and developed the modules themselves. The size is 160kW and there are some creative and useful ideas incorporated into the charging and battery management systems. One is the ability to connect a warning system to a GPS route so if you are driving at a speed that is taking yo u beyond range of getting back to shore the motor will automatically slow down. When you do get back, a full 0-100% charge takes 3.5 hours and you can check status through SMS.

One of the intriguing things about the Molniya is that all of the electric boat technology has been incorporated into a striking overall retro look. The dashboard looks like it might have been taken from a 1950s luxury car catalogue, but of course the actual meters are all digital. The interior of the entire boat harkens back to an earlier day, appearing ready to whisk 6 passengers off to a swing era supper club.

From prototype to production

Having built and tested the prototype from an existing hull, the goal of Markov and the team is to move to production mode and use the materials he always envisioned in his dream boat. While the aluminum and fibreglass of the original have been useful for testing, speed and range will benefit from materials like much lighter carbon-kevlar.

The adapted stern drive was useful for proving the hydrofoiling electric boat concept, but all of the designers and engineers are keen to see the improved efficiency they will get from a motor, drive and battery system they have designed from scratch for the Molniya. As for the foils themselves, the production model will use lighter, thinner composites instead of stainless steel.

Obviously the spring and summer of 2020 has not provided the best opportunities to introduce the prototype at boat shows and stir up interest with consumers, the trade or investors. It seems, though that the Molniya is the type of boat that should appeal to peopl looking for the same thing Artem wanted for himself: a classic motor boat experience but one that is quiet, odour free…and smooth sailing.

You can find out more on the Molniya website, lightning-foil.com .

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Winged ships: Soviet hydrofoils forgotten and reborn

Meteor 120R, 2021.

The ‘Raketa’ (“Rocket”) was the first prototype of Soviet hydrofoil ships. It made its maiden voyage on August 25, 1957, and went from Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod, 400 kilometers north-east of Moscow) to Kazan (720 kilometers east of Moscow) down the Volga River. The ‘Raketa’ covered these 420 kilometers in seven hours - reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h, which was very fast for a river ship. The ships of this type have special foils underneath and this type of design significantly reduces the water resistance. It gives the hydrofoils their main advantage - very high speed. Also, it vastly reduces bumpiness (oscillation) for passengers.

The 'Raketa' on the Moscow channel in 1967.

The foils can be constructed in different ways: For example, ‘Raketa’ had U-shaped shallow-submerged ones. On its first voyage, the 27-meter-long hydrofoil had 30 passengers, even though its capacity was for 64 people. And the ‘Raketa’ was a success: 300 ships were made in total and it was so popular that even the next hydrofoil models were often commonly called ‘Raketa’.

‘Meteor’, the most widespread Soviet hydrofoil, 1968.

New Soviet hydrofoil models appeared thanks to a team of engineers headed by a ship constructor and innovator named Rostislav Alexeyev. Soon after the triumph of ‘Raketa’, they designed a hydrofoil called ‘Meteor’. It was bigger than ‘Raketa’, had a higher max speed of 77 km/h and could carry up to 123 people. The ‘Meteor’ was the most widespread Soviet hydrofoil - 400 ships were produced in total. They were exported to Germany, Egypt, Greece and other countries. Some ‘Meteors’ are still in use in Siberia, in the Far East and in St. Petersburg, where they are used for touristic cruises to Peterhof (23 kilometers south-west of St. Petersburg) and Kronshtadt (30 kilometers north-west of St. Petersburg). 

Strela-1 ship.

Some Soviet hydrofoils were designed to operate in sea waters. One of them was the ‘Strela’ (“Arrow”). Two ships of this modification appeared in 1961 and were used in the Black Sea. ‘Strela’ had two V-shaped semi-submerged foils - a special construction for the sea. It helped these ships travel up to 70 km/h even in rough seas (with waves up to two meters high). The ‘Strela’ could carry up to 90 passengers on board.

Volga ship, 1972.

The ‘Volga’ hydrofoil holiday cruiser was universal: it could be used both in shallow-sea waters and on rivers and lakes. The ‘Volga’ was created in the early 1960s. At just 8.5 meters in length, the cruiser was really small and could only carry 6 people, including the captain. It also had a removable awning instead of a roof. The ‘Volga’ had T-shaped semi-submerged foils and a max speed of 60 km/h. Later, the cruiser was remodified with V-shaped foils that helped it withstand stronger waves.

‘Burevestnik’ river ship, 1968.

Rostislav Alexeyev always wanted his ships to be faster. The diesel engines limited the speed, so he decided to try to equip a hydrofoil with a gas-turbine motor taken from a plane. This type of engine is lighter and gives more power than a diesel one. One of the results of this experiment was the ‘Burevestnik’ (“Petrel”) river ship. It also had two water jets instead of a propeller. These construction changes helped the hydrofoil reach a speed of 95 km/h. The ‘Burevestnik’ was 43 meters long and could carry 150 passengers.

‘Tayfun’ hydrofoil, 1969.

The ‘Tayfun’ (“Typhoon”) hydrofoil wasn’t just a usual passenger boat. It was created in St. Petersburg as a part of a military hydrofoil project to set up some experiments. ‘Tayfun’ was finished in 1969 and was used both in river and sea waters in the 1970s. It had innovative T-formed fully-submerged foils with autopilot controlled flaps. ‘Tayfun’ could reach speeds of up to 83 km/h and withstand rough seas. It had a maximum capacity of 98 passengers and was 31 meters long. It turned out to be efficient, but never went into mass production, because its designers didn't consider it to be a self-sufficient project: it had been initially created for experiments in the development of a military hydrofoil called ‘Uragan’ (“Hurricane”). 

There were several types of military hydrofoils like coast guard motor boats and a missile-carrying ship with the code name 1240 ‘Uragan’ (“Hurricane”). The military ship was built between 1972-1976 and was in service in Crimea between 1979-1990. It had a length of 56.6 meters and a standard weight of 342 tons (while the ‘Meteor’ weighed just 36.6 tons). The foils of the ‘Uragan’ were fully-submerged and autopilot controlled. It was possible to raise the foils up, so they didn’t touch water. In this mode, the ‘Uragan’ could travel in high seas with waves up to six meters high. In calm seas, the hydrofoil ship could reach a max speed of 111 km/h. It was operated by a crew of 34 people and armed with anti-ship cruise missiles and a guided missile defence installation. Unfortunately, only one was ever made, as it turned out to be a very complicated and costly project.

Project 23160 SEC "Comet 120M".

After the fall of the USSR, hydrofoil construction was halted, but recently, the development of these ships has, once again, resumed. In 2013, the construction of a modern Russian hydrofoil called ‘Kometa 120M’ (“Comet 120M”) began in Rybinsk (260 kilometres north-east of Moscow). It was finished and sent for testing to Crimea in 2017. The ‘Kometa 120M’ is constructed for sea voyages, where it can travel at speeds of up to 65 km/h. The hydrofoil looks more like a spaceship and has an autopilot system for its foils. The new ship is 35.2 meters long and has a maximum capacity of 120 passengers.

Hydrofoil vessel "Valdai".

Next, a hydrofoil modification called ‘Valdai 45R’ was built in 2017. It was designed for full-flowing rivers. It may become very helpful in the northern regions with a lack of roads. This new hydrofoil isn’t very big: it’s just 21.3 meters long, needs only two crew members and a maximum capacity of 45 people. It can travel at speeds of up to 65 km/h. Several ‘Valdai 45R’ ships are already in operation on the Ob, Irtysh and Volga rivers.

‘Tsiklon 250M’.

There’s also a huge sea hydrofoil called ‘Tsiklon 250M’ (“Cyclone 250M”) in the project stage. It’s a double-decker ship equipped with airliner-type seats. It has a gas-turbine motor and an unusual system of small foils. The design allows the ‘Tsiklon 250M’ to gain speeds of up to 101 km/h. The ship is 46 meters long and has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers - more than any other Russian or Soviet hydrofoil ship.

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