Designing Practical Foiling Platforms: From Racing Technology to Real Vessels 

Introduction

Foiling has long been associated with cutting-edge racing yachts and experimental prototypes. For years, it was perceived as a high-risk, high-reward technology: fast, impressive, but difficult to scale beyond elite performance environments.

That perception is changing.

Today, foiling is no longer confined to competition. It is entering a new phase: practical implementation in real vessels, from high-end yachts to commercial platforms and autonomous systems.

But making foiling viable outside racing is not about designing a better foil.

It is about designing a better system.

The Real Challenge: Integration, Not Just Geometry

At first glance, hydrofoil design may seem like a question of geometry: profiles, aspect ratios, lift coefficients.

In reality, this is only a fraction of the problem.

A successful foiling vessel depends on the integration of multiple disciplines:

• Hydrodynamics and aerodynamics

• Structural design under highly dynamic loads

• Stability and control at varying speeds

• Propulsion system

• Real-world operability and safety

At high speeds, small variations in flow conditions can lead to large changes in lift, drag, and stability. Ventilation, cavitation, and transient effects become critical. 

From Racing to Real Applications

The roots of modern foiling lie in competitive sailing, particularly in events such as the America’s Cup. These platforms pushed the boundaries of performance, control systems, and fluid dynamics.

But racing environments allow for:

• Highly specialized crews

• Continuous optimization

• Limited operational constraints

Translating that technology into real-world vessels requires a different approach.

Today, foiling is expanding into:

• High-performance yachts

• Passenger and leisure vessels

• Electric mobility platforms

• Autonomous surface vehicles (USVs)

Each of these applications introduces new constraints:

• Reliability over peak performance

• Ease of operation

• Cost-efficiency

• Scalability

The challenge is not just achieving maximum speed as in a race. It is delivering consistent, usable performance in real conditions.

Case Studies: From Concept to Application

BGF45: Efficiency Through Simplicity

For CH, the BGF45 represents a shift in how foiling can be applied to production yachts.

Relying on simplicity, the design uses a foil-assisted concept to reduce resistance and improve comfort.

Key outcomes include:

• Improved fuel efficiency (around 30%)

• Simplified system architecture

• Improved seakeeping

Foiling USVs: Expanding the Design Space

Foiling is also enabling new categories of vessels, particularly in the field of autonomous systems.

Foiling USVs introduce:

• Higher operational speeds

• Reduced energy consumption

• Enhanced range and endurance

But they also demand:

• Robust control systems

• Stability without human intervention

• Integration between flight dynamics and autonomy

In this context, foiling is not just a performance feature: it becomes a key enabler of new capabilities.

Advanced Simulation & Multi-Physics Integration

Modern foiling design relies heavily on simulation tools capable of capturing complex interactions:

• Multi-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) simulations

• Coupled hydro/structure/system analysis

• Transient flow phenomena

• Interaction between control systems and fluid dynamics

These tools allow designers to explore configurations that would be difficult—or impossible—to validate through physical testing alone.

However, simulation is only valuable when it reflects reality.

This requires:

• Modelling experience

• Validation against sea trials

A Methodology for Real-World Foiling Design

Designing practical foiling platforms requires a structured and iterative process:

1. Concept Definition

Understanding the mission profile:

• Speed range

• Operational conditions

• Payload and constraints

2. Numerical Exploration

Using CFD and simulation tools to:

• Evaluate configurations

• Identify performance trade-offs

• Detect potential risks (ventilation, instability, etc.)

3. System Integration

Aligning all components:

• Hull

• Foils

• Propulsion

• Control systems

4. Validation

• Prototype development

• Sea trials

• Feedback loops into the design

This process ensures that performance is not only predicted but achieved in practice.

What Shipyards Actually Need

For shipyards and developers, the objective is clear: the most reliable and efficient solution within real constraints.

This includes: 

• Predictable behavior  

• Robust performance across conditions  

• Manageable costs  

• Ease of integration into existing platforms  

Foiling can deliver significant advantages, but only when these factors are addressed from the start. 

Conclusion 

Foiling is no longer an experimental technology. 

It is a mature design space, ready to be applied across a wide range of vessels. 

But its success depends on understanding the system as a whole. 

From fluid dynamics to control systems, from simulation to validation, the future of foiling lies in integration, not isolation. 

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