The French company SP80 has developed a white sailboat with a slender frame, aiming to set a world record for the fastest speed at 148 km/h.
The design of the SP80 sailboat. Photo: SP80
SP80's new sailboat model, showcased at this year's Monaco Yacht Show, looks like it's rocket-powered, but it's actually wind-powered with a giant kite pulling it from above, Business Insider reported on October 5th. Luxury watchmaker Richard Mille is SP80's partner in building the sailboat.
"We spoke to hundreds of people and everyone was surprised that it was a sailboat without an engine. People in Monaco said it looked more like a submarine or an airplane, some even thought it was a drone," said Laura Manon, spokesperson for SP80.
SP80 was founded in 2018 by Mayeul van den Broek, Xavier Lepercq, and Benoit Gaudiot. The company hopes to use its analog technology to reach a speed of 148 km/h, breaking the current world record of 121 km/h set by Paul Larsen and the Vestas Sailrocket 2 in 2012.
Despite the project spanning four years, the SP80 sailboat is still in its early testing phase. The vessel first touched water in early August on Lake Geneva, withstanding being towed by a motorboat at 56 km/h, still far short of the project team's target of 148 km/h.
The SP80 boat is 10.4 meters long, 7.6 meters wide, and weighs approximately 150 kg. The front features a cockpit for two people: one controls the kite, and the other steers the boat. The boat is made of carbon fiber reinforced with Kevlar for enhanced protection in the event of a collision. Both operators are equipped with seat belts, helmets, and emergency oxygen masks.
A replica of an SP80 sailboat is towed by a kite on the water. Photo: SP80
Every detail of the boat is designed to ensure it won't fly up out of the water, but only glide. Beneath the boat is a unique, slanted hydrofoil that keeps it submerged while the kite above pulls it at maximum speed.
"The boat has three points of contact with the water: the main hull and two pontoons. At the rear, the power module continuously adjusts the kite's upward force (the force pulling the boat up), with the hydrofoil force pulling it down," explains Mayeul van den Broek, CEO of SP80.
The company plans to take the boat to southern France for further testing and hopes to set a world record in 2024. Manon said the project team will attach a smaller kite to help the driver get comfortable with the boat, then gradually increase the speed with larger kites. The initial goal is to break the 121 km/h record, then increase the speed to 148 km/h.
Thu Thao (According to Business Insider )
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