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February 2012 Pressrelease - The next generation: sailing on hydrofoils | PDF Download (in german)
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Sailing really fast requires

Lightweight construction throughout
All components of the hydrofoil F1 are German-made, using epoxy-resin carbon fibre, according to the newest lightweight manufacturing techniques
Coupled with the highest rigidity
A high righting moment
By setting the windward hydrofoil at a negative incidence, a huge righting moment is generated. Only by doing this is it possible to sail at high speed.
Low drag force due to the water
The hydrofoils and the keels are made to dramatically reduce the drag force of the water.
On top of that, low aerodynamic drag
The sail, the cockpit and the hulls were painstakingly designed to minimise aerodynamic drag. Not only does this work really well, it also looks great.

The future is above water, and this means sailing on hydrofoils

The hydrofoil F1 is a

Lightweight catamaran which is fast and easy to sail
Even a light wind is enough to get moving
Above 3 on the Beaufort scale, it's currently the fastest sailboat on the market
For all points of sail !
Quick assembly in several minutes
Can easily be sailed by 1 or 2 people - Dry and comfortable sailing due to the ergonomically designed cockpit

Technical data hydrofoil F1 )*
Hydrofoil catamaran sailboat for 1 or 2 people, built using epoxy-resin carbon fibre materials (prototype is described here)
Length 18 ft. / 5.5 m
Width (when beaching) 12 ft. / 3.5 m
(foilborne) 16 ft. / 5.0 m
Sail area 150 sq.ft. / 14.0 m²
Weight 306 lbs / 138,4 kg
Speed approx. 42.2 kts / 75,6 km/h

Our catamaran takes off...

We're accepting orders starting May 2012.
Pricing available on request.

Engineering and design
Klaus J. Enzmann hydrofoil@enzmann.net
Biography K. Enzmann

Software
Christian Enzmann, Munich ce@enzmann.net

Realisation
Catlift GmbH & Co. Entwicklungs KG
82152 Planegg, Germany

We are looking for licencees and sales agents worldwide. Please contact us if you are interested.

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The right concept at the right time
Flying over the surface of the water is an experience you'll never forget. The hissing and spraying of the hull and the annoying motion of the waves disappear within seconds, changing into a quiet whooshing sound, accompanied by a noticeable increase in speed. It's easy to become addicted!

Why use hydrofoils?
In 1962 in England, a catamaran using hydrofoils sailed for the first time on the surface of the water, but not for long.
Without any type of control over the hydrofoils, the effort was doomed to fail. Sailing on hydrofoils with just the help of the wind is quite spectacular, but definitely not easy.

Worldwide, more and more sailors, especially those sailing catamarans, are turning to hydrofoil technology. It's worth mentioning the success of the international "Moth" Class, the first regatta category to sail on hydrofoils, as well as the spectacular world speed record of 100 km/h set by the French "Hydroptère" in 2011.

The real challenge is to be able to control the "altitude" i.e. distance of the boat above the water, regardless of the conditions. This distance should always be the same: when the wind suddenly gusts and dies down again, when high side forces are acting whilst beating, when the boat pitches whilst running - all of that, no matter how rough the waves are.

*) World Pat. pend. Reg. Design