Foiling is now such a part of the sailing culture it’s hard to believe it has been less than three years since Team New Zealand coaxed its mighty AC72 catamaran into the air. It was only a matter of time before foiling technology was adapted to cruising multihull design, and sure enough the first cruising catamaran to lift off the water on foils was launched in late March. The bright orange Gunboat G4 hit 30-plus knots early in its sea trials off St. Maarten, and then capsized during the Les Voiles de St. Barths while its crew were looking for its limits. The undamaged 40ft, 6,000lb carbon-fiber weapon was quickly righted and readied for its next outing at Antigua Sailing Week. That’s dedication!
Photo courtesy of Ocean Images
