The Nacra 17 is a performance catamaran used for sailing. It was designed in 2011, went into production in 2012 and has been the focus of multihull sailing at the Olympic Games since its conception.
The Nacra has been converted to a sailing hydrofoil for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Nacra 17 exhumes quality, speed and durability. Its curved foiling daggerboards give the cat space craft like features.
After the Rio Olympics, the class and Nacra Sailing agree to evolve the boat to become a fully foiling catamaran. Between hull number 338 and 339, the transition occurred to a 4-point fully foiling multihull. Boats older than 338 had the option to retrofit themselves into the fully foiling configuration.
Catamaran’s hydrofoils are daggerboards in a so-called Z-shape. The rudders are foils in a T-shape. The boat is approximately 17 feet long (hence the name) and has a beam (width) of about 9.5 feet. It features a rotating carbon fiber mast and a large mainsail, as well as a jib and a gennaker (a large, powerful downwind sail). The boat is designed to be sailed by a two-person crew, with one person controlling the mainsail and the other handling the jib and gennaker.
When the boat reaches a certain speed, the hydrofoils generate lift, causing the hulls to rise out of the water. This reduces drag and allows the boat to sail at much higher speeds than traditional non-foiling catamarans.
Sailing this foiling vessel requires a high level of skill and athleticism. The boat is known for its speed and agility, and the crew must constantly adjust their weight and balance to maintain control. The foiling aspect adds an extra level of complexity, as the crew must learn to manage the lift generated by the hydrofoils and adjust their sailing technique accordingly.
More info at Nacra 17 Olympic Class Association website https://nacra17.org/
