Foiling is catching on.
Last year, Groupe Beneteau introduced the Figaro Beneteau 3, its first production foiling yacht. On Monday, Beneteau released a video for a concept foiling powerboat that will be used to test foils under real-life conditions for possible use on future motoryachts.
Groupe Beneteau worked with various partners to develop the technology for the 32-foot boat. It is currently powered with outboards, but the company will research additional propulsion methods for future boats. The foils flip out of the way, so the boat doesn’t take up additional room when docking.
Beneteau is not the only company to use foils with powerboats. At the Miami International Boat Show, Aquila Yachts unveiled its Hydro-Glide Foil System, which is an optional fixed foil that improves speed, acceleration and fuel efficiency. And last year, Princess unveiled its Active Foil System on the Princess R35, which can hit 50 knots.
Foils are not new. The Russians have been using them for decades. Are they here to stay?
