FAQ: By Greg Ketterman

1) Can the TriFoiler handle rough water?

I compare it to water skiing - it can handle rough water, but it is more fun in smooth water. However, it is amazing how well it handles rough water. You'll notice in the video the boat is always level and smooth. Granted, the water is smooth, but it does not get upset by waves, gusty wind, or rudder inputs. The unique sensor system is the reason for this; a) the sensors sense the water level way out in front which gives the system time to respond and b) the sensor system moves the whole foil and gives the system a lot of authority to control the height of the boat. The result is the boat stays in phase with the waves and keeps the boat at just the right height above the water. For more discussion on this see the article in Multihulls Mag 1994 Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4.

2) How long does it take to rig?

I like to compare this to other popular boats because times vary for different people. It takes about the same time as a Hobie 16, a little quicker than a Hobie 18, and much quicker than a Miracle 20. Dan and I would typically do it in less 13 minutes and we have derigged in 9 minutes. There are a lot of parts, but they go together quickly and easily if you know what you're doing. We spent a lot of time developing the TriFoiler and trailer to go together easily, ie, all the pins are quick pins, no tools required, no job requires two people, so teamwork and coordination are not required. There is a place for everything - when you take a part off there is a place to put it. A quick and convenient tie-down system for all the parts.

3) How does it perform to weather? How fast is it?

The TriFoiler is about 20% faster to the weather mark than a high performance beach catamaran when the wind is above 12 knots. It does not point as high, but velocity made good (VMG) is 20% better. On a reach it is about 50% faster and down wind about 40% faster. In winds of about 10 - 15 it can go about 2 times the wind speed and can be pushed to a max speed of about 45 mph.

4) How can it go faster than the wind?

Many sailboats can go faster than the wind. It's just a matter of decreasing the drag and increasing the thrust, or drive. If a sailboat sailed straight down wind, it could not go faster than the wind. But TriFoiler's fastest point of sail is reaching or perpendicular to the wind and then the drive does not decrease with speed.

5) Can it pitch pole? Does it tip over?

I have never heard of a TriFoiler pitch poling. It creates so little drag and the sails are so low that the sails cannot push it over forward. It can be capsized in a couple of ways; a) if it is not up to speed and you push it hard suddenly, it is posible to sink one of the amas. The solution is to let it accelerate before you sheet in too quickly; b) in rough water it is possible to get the weather foil to come out of the water and then it is possible to roll it over sideways. If the foil does pull out, it is easy to ease the sheet to prevent capsize.

6) How does it turn so well?

It is a combination of a) Very little resistance to turning or yaw - it does not have a long hull in the water that is hard to turn; b) It uses the same vertical foils to produce lateral acceleration, or sideways forces, very efficiently as it uses to produce lateral resistance for sailing. The vertical foils are much more efficient than a planing hull like a surfboard, water ski, or jet ski; c) It produces little drag and that lets it coast through jybes where it is not getting any thrust from the sails. The result is that it does not waste energy in a turn.

7) Is it hard to sail?

Once the boat is in open water it is easy to sai,l as long as you point the boat on to a reach and you do not over sheet the sails. It requires very little agility or balance. The difficult part of the TriFoiler is learning the techniques to safely maneuver the boat from the dock or the beach and conjested area to the open water. There are techniques you need to know for handling the boat on the beach and getting the foils up and down.

8) What is it like to sail?

For a description by noted multihull sailor Eric Arnes, Page one, Page two. By Sailing journalist Heater Niblo, Page one.