Sailing is based on a simple principle : using the force of the wind to propel a hull through the water. One technology has revolutionized this principle : the foil. By allowing boats to “fly” above the water, foils transform performance, the way boats are sailed, and the sensations experienced.
At Birdyfish, this technology is at the heart of our vision. Not with the aim of replacing traditional sailing, but to offer enthusiasts of innovation another way to sail.
How do traditional sailing and foiling boats differ ? Let's compare them to understand what sets them apart.
Traditional sailing boats
Sailboats are a must, and a perfect school for learning how to sail : understanding the wind, the adjustments, but also sailing strategies.
Constant contact with water
Sailboats sail with their hulls in contact with the water. This means :
- a large wet surface
- significant hydrodynamic resistance
- a limited natural speed
Familiar sensations
The sensations of traditional sailing are familiar to everyone :
- stability
- slippery when wet and in contact with waves
Physical limits
Even with highly optimized designs, a sailboat encounters a performance ceiling : its contact with the water. This is where foils come into play.
Foiling boats
The principle of foiling
A foil works in the same way as an airplane wing, but underwater. Once a certain speed is reached, it generates lift that lifts the hull out of the water.
Results :
- the wet surface area is reduced
- drag is reduced
- the boat can therefore accelerate much more
Speed and thrills : a new dimension
A foiling boat sees its capabilities increase :
- it reaches its maximum speed faster
- it maintains high average speeds
- it sails above the waves
Beyond pure performance, foiling transforms sensations above all else.
The hull breaks free from the water and within seconds the vibrations disappear, the noise fades away, and the boat flies.
The adrenaline rush of takeoff, of accelerating speed, of finding balance. And at the same time, a feeling of freedom : gliding over the water, as if defying the laws of gravity.
This sensation of levitation, fluid and silent, is often what strikes sailors most when they discover foiling. Once experienced, it becomes unforgettable.
Comparison : hydrofoil boat VS hydrofoil boats
| Sailboat | Foiling boat | |
| Contact with water | Permanent | Virtually non-existent in flight |
| Drag | High | Very low |
| Average speed | Limited | High |
| Sensations | Well-known and classic | Unique and new |
Foil : an accessible revolution
At Birdyfish, our goal is to democratize foil sailing, so that it is no longer reserved for a professional elite. Thanks to a complementary range of foil boats, we can meet a wide variety of needs.
We are not doing away with traditional sails, which embody history and tradition. We are building on their fundamentals to open the door to a new way of sailing, where performance and sensations take on a whole new dimension.
