Fixed-wing hybrid Eagle Class 53 heads out for first on-water test
Cutting-edge performance catamaran noses out into an eight-knot breeze for its first sea trialFour years after it was first imagined, the hybrid-sailed Eagle Class 53 has taken to the water for the first time – and passed its first sea trial with flying colours.
In flat waters with eight knots of breeze, the carbon-fibre composite/honeycomb core catamaran hit a top speed of around 11 knots on waters off the US Virgin Islands, with its fixed wing sail performing well.
The video shows the big cat cruising comfortably, and throwing in a tack as the fixed wing and its attached sail flick across the boat’s centre line.
The boat’s developer, Fast Forward Composites president Tommy Gonzalez, has deep experience with performance multihulls. He has helped to sail the catamaran Team Adventure to third place in the 2001 Jules Verne Trophy around the world race, and was a key part in the development of the 90-foot high-performance carbon composite catamaran Sunshine built in 2010.
The Eagle Class 53, a 16.5-metre foiling catamaran, is being developed as the “ultimate weekender”, designed to navigate at “top speeds with unrivalled luxury and comfort”.
A more performance-honed version using a T-shaped foil is planned. It will feature an autonomous foiling control system to help the crew to maximise the efficiency of the highly unstable T-foils.
The next step in the Eagle Class 53’s development will be getting the catamaran up on its cruising-friendly C-foils.
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