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.

15.04.2009

The end of the refit approaches for Gitana 13.

The 33 metre maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has undergone a studious winter. After a 2008 marked by a circumnavigation of the globe spanning over 40,000 miles, Gitana 13 richly deserved a few months pit stop.

par Gitana

The seven records, three of which are oceanic, gleaned by the members of Gitana Team throughout the 2008 season, had really taken their toll on the maxi-catamaran’s platform.

As such, on her return to her home port of La Trinité-sur-Mer, Gitana 13 underwent an evaluation which has revealed some structural weaknesses. With the Gitana Team sheds unable to accommodate the 33 metre catamaran, a tent was specially erected on the Saint-Philibert platform at the start of January so as to begin repairs. A five person team, jointly managed by Hubert Corfmat for the composite sections, and Léopold Lucet, got to work on the shell: “The stresses and strains imposed on the platform during our circumnavigation of the globe have left their mark… During the three months refit she’s just undergone, we worked on the four junctions between the floats and the beams. To reinforce her, we needed to redo the honeycomb over these zones. We also restuck the fore and aft bulkheads which were damaged. Finally we spotted some wear on the masthead, which required a few repairs to the zones we’d pinpointed beforehand” explained Léopold Lucet.

At the same time as this structural work, the team also performed the classic maintenance of a vessel returning from nine months long distance sailing: from the deck fittings to the mechanics, through to the running rigging, everything was reviewed and replaced as necessary.
At the start of April, the tent which protected Gitana 13 throughout the winter was dismantled. The relaunch of the maxi-catamaran is shaping up for the end of April. At that point, the men that make up Gitana Team, including David Boileau, Olivier Wroczynski and Léopold Lucet, will perform a series of sail trials around the bay of Quiberon so as to be fully geared up to welcome their summer guests. Indeed, after its flourishing round the world record campaign, Gitana 13 will this year be devoted to public relations operations. From La Trinité-sur-Mer, the maxi-catamaran will set off to meet the various entities that make up the LCF Rothschild Group, which border the South-West of France and the Mediterranean. The voyage will take her away from her home port until the start of November.

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