Retractable Y-shaped foils, adjustable in three dimensions

Inspired by the appendages of the America's Cup foiling monohulls, these Y-shaped foils have a wingspan of over 5 metres. They are designed to generate powerful lift, increase power and offer a wide range of adjustments to optimise flight at every point of sail and in all conditions. Beyond their impressive size, these foils feature many unique innovations.

Revolutionary U-shaped rudders

These are probably the most visually striking innovations on the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. To fly high above rough seas while maintaining control, the team wanted very long rudders that would remain in contact with the water. The challenge is that longer rudders tend to flex under load, severely affecting steering and the efficiency of their lifting surfaces. A new geometry was needed to give these appendages maximum stiffness, resist cavitation and ultimately improve control of the boat and make better use of its power. The result is a set of U-shaped rudders over 4 metres long, a metre longer than those on Gitana 17. Their shape, reminiscent of a tripod or an inverted π, is only the visible part of what makes them so distinctive.

A daggerboard optimised to stabilise the boat and limit cavitation

With its wide span, the daggerboard resembles an aircraft tail assembly, with two adjustable flaps: one on the vertical section and the other on the horizontal section, the distinctive “manta-ray wing”. On Gitana 18, the innovation is to position this wing behind the vertical part of the appendage, rather than directly beneath it, to minimise flow disturbance and cavitation.

Rig: adjustable spreaders to control mainsail power while sailing

Gitana 18’s mast is 1.50 metres taller than its predecessor’s. The boom is also shorter, creating a more slender sail plan. The major innovation is a set of spreaders that can be adjusted while sailing to bend the mast fore and aft. Actuated by hydraulic rams, these spreaders can pivot through 35 degrees to adjust the bend in the middle of the mast. This unprecedented system allows the sailor to control mainsail power: adding depth in light winds to take off sooner, or flattening the sail to reduce power at high speed or in strong winds. Adjusting the depth, and therefore the power, of the mainsail can also save a solo sailor time and energy by reducing the need for risky manoeuvres or headsail changes.

Central hull:
an integrated, structural coachroof

The naval architects and Gitana design team wanted an exceptionally stiff, structurally robust platform. This applies both to the floats, which must withstand heavy loads from the foils and rudders, and to the central hull, which is subject to torsion. The enclosed coachroof is integrated into the hull and contributes to its structural strength. Inside, the cockpit brings all sail-handling controls together, with ergonomics shaped by many hours of design and development. The coachroof also stands out for the number and size of its windows. This configuration meets the visibility requirements of the Ultim class rules and gives sailors the best possible view to keep a visual watch.

31.01.2007

Gitana 13 hits the water!.

Yesterday, on Tuesday 30 January at the Multiplast shipyard in Vannes (56), it was launch day for Gitana 13, the Gitana Team's new maxi-multihull. The manoeuvres commenced around 14:00 and the mild weather conditions meant that the team was able to step the catamaran's 33-metre mast at the same time. That very evening, the boat entered its home por…

par Gitana

Yesterday, on Tuesday 30 January at the Multiplast shipyard in Vannes (56), it was launch day for Gitana 13, the Gitana Team’s new maxi-multihull. The manoeuvres commenced around 14:00 and the mild weather conditions meant that the team was able to step the catamaran’s 33-metre mast at the same time. That very evening, the boat entered its home port, Trinité-sur-Mer, delivered by the team’s permanent members who have been working on the boat all winter.

Loick Peyron, Gitana Team general manager: “It’s always nice to put a boat in the water. After several months’ construction work, it’s the fruit of an entire team’s labours! And it’s even more pleasing because Gitana 13 is really very elegant, with a paint job that has received a unanimous thumbs-up! An efficient hard day’s work was put in by both our own team and that of the Chantier Multiplast who, as usual, did an excellent job. At 20:00, Gitana 13 was quayside at La Trinité sur Mer, and we’re now going to proceed with her first ocean forays in order to check the winter’s modifications before competition recommences.”

The boat will be skippered by Lionel Lemonchois, recent winner of the Route du Rhum 2006 aboard Gitana 11.

The 2007 programme for the whole Gitana Team will be unveiled in a few days.

Gitana 13: key facts…

Technical characteristics:
Length: 32.8m
Width: 16.5m
Mast: 41m
Weight: 22 ton
Structure: nomex-carbon sandwich

Genoa jib: 374m²
Solent: 177m²
Staysail: 104m²
Gennaker : 550m²

Honours:
2000: Launch under the name of Innovation Explorer
2001: 2nd in The Race skippered by Loick Peyron
2002: wins the Trophée Jules Verne under Orange’s colours and skippered by Bruno Peyron
2003: aborted attempt (due to dismasting) at the Trophée Jules Verne in the colours of Kingfisher /Castorama, skippered by Ellen MacArthur.

After being brought into Vannes in May 2006, Gitana 13 has undergone a complete refit at the Multiplast shipyard…

The main modifications concern the rigging, with a new 41-m mast that is higher than the original one, the introduction of a hook system on the gennaker, staysail and main sail halyards and a full new set of sails made from Cuben Fiber in cooperation with Jean-Baptiste Levaillant from the Voilerie Incidences at La Rochelle.
The platform has also seen a few modifications. The fore beam has been raised by 30 cm to reduce frontal impact and the bows have been reshaped to give a straighter and more aggressive shape. The interior living quarters have been remodelled, and the boat has also been equipped with all the latest safety systems (man overboard, spotting, etc.)

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