After
Yamaha ended their involvement with the TriFoiler, it was clear that Dan and Greg
should continue with a new production prototype. So in '92 they made TFP (TriFoiler
Prototype). It was with this prototype that they did all the development to make
the TriFoiler easy to rig and trailer. They developed the sensor retraction system,
foil retraction, mast rotation, mast stepping, and seating. All of the production
tooling was taken from this boat. It was sold to a customer in Germany.
Dan
and Greg sailing next to the Belmont Pier. Note the Queen Mary and the hangar
for the Spruce Goose in the background.
Greg
at Cabrillo Beach. (He forgot to raise the centerboard!) Dan with reefed sails.
The
wake in this photo shows the ideal jibe. At first bare away slowly and let the
boat accelerate. Midway through the jibe, when there is no more power from the
sails, increase the rate of turn. After the sails fill with air on the new tack
accelerate back up to speed on a broad reach. Head up when the boat is up to speed.
It
was a show-stopper at the Atlantic City Boat Show in the Spring of '93. Greg pulled
the boat to the show with his 87 Honda Civic.
They
rigged and derigged dozens of times to figure the best way to do it, and tested
and evaluated every little part to find the easiest way.
Greg
dropping it off at the freight forwarder for shipment to Germany.
