The SYZ & CO is a high-performance catamaran equipped with hydrofoils (wing-like foils mounted under the hull) that enable her hulls to lift out of the water at a certain speed, thus drastically reducing the vessel’s wetted area, which results in minimised drag and greatly enhanced speed compared to classical sailing craft.

World-leading specialists have implemented leading-edge technologies in the development of this prototype. Its construction revealed to combine minute crafting precision and highly advanced materials such as titanium or high-grade carbon fibre. She has been launched on 1 October 2008.

   

Summary
Concept	Patrick Firmenich, Jean Pfau, Jean Psarofaghis, Alex Schneiter
Architects	VPLP (Van Peteghem – Lauriot Prévost)
Engineering/Structure/Composite Materials	Clemens Dransfeld and the Polymer Engineering Institute of the Haute Ecole Universitaire of Northwest Switzerland
Hydrodynamics	Giorgio Provinciali; Michel Kermarec
Construction:	Psaros Shipyard in Vésenaz (Geneva) and ZR Concept in Echandens (Vaud)

Specifications
LWL	9.8 m
LOA	11.8 m
BOA	10 m
Mast Length	15.4 m
Air Draught	16.5 m
Weight	700 kg
Crew	4
Sail Area	85 m2  (close haul), 150 m2 (running)

Materials and technologies used
Hulls	Carbon-Nomex
Appendices	High module carbon
Beams	High module carbon
Mast	Very high module carbon tilting wing mast
Rigging	Carbon rig
Sails	3Di / 3DL / North Sails (Switzerland)
Hydraulic system	Foil dihedral, foil flaps, main sheet, mast tilting

 

Foil details
Overall length V-Foils	4.5 m
Overall length T-Foil	2.5 m
Overall span T-Foil	1.6 m
Functionalities	Straight V-shape main foils with flaps and winglets. Individual vertical and dihedral adjustment. Foils serve as daggerboards in archimedean mode. Incidence of T-Foil can be adjusted.

News

The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran back on the water

24.09.2009

The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran is now ready to tackle the Lake Geneva speed records. She will be back on the water at the end of the month, after a strict diet and a significant increase of the volume of her hulls, which have been extended from 32 to 35 feet.

24.09.09		The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran back on the water
The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran is now ready to tackle the Lake Geneva speed records. She will be back on the water at the end of the month, after a strict diet and a significant increase of the volume of her hulls, which have been extended from 32 to 35 feet. More...
27.05.09		Alterations under way for the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran
At the end of the intensive test phase run since April, the project team has identified several possible alterations to improve the boat's performance and has decided to take her out of the water in order to optimize her in time for the record season. More...
03.04.09		The SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran has taken off !
After two years of development and hard work, the SYZ & CO hydrofoil catamaran took off yesterday for its maiden flight and has demonstrated its striking manner the validity of its concept. More...
03.10.08		Alain Prost Christens the SYZ & CO Foil Catamaran at Geneva’s Société Nautique
The SYZ & CO foil catamaran’s entire crew was assembled yesterday evening at the Société Nautique de Genève to celebrate the flying boat’s christening. More...
09.06.08		Construction status report
31.03.08		Progress status & interim news
19.09.07		"SYZ & CO" Hydrofoil Project announcement

Speed record attempt 14 October 2009

First flight - 1st April 2009

First sailing test - Xmas 2008

Launch

Construction

3D View

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