L’Hydroptère: High Speed Triple-Hulled Hydroplane Vessel

Derived from a portmanteau of two words – wings and wings – from the Grecian language, L’Hydroptère is a uniquely crafted triple-hulled hydroplane vessel. A brainchild of esteemed French yachters Alain Thebault and Eric Tabarly, the vessel’s designing and contemporary excellence is a result of over three-decade long constructional vision, planning and contriving.

L’Hydroptère – The Vessel

A sailing marvel, the triple-hulled ship combines extreme functionality with a sleek designing.

Its potentiality has helped it to garner the required financial assistance and not just from any ordinary source but from reputed French shipbuilding conglomerates and even from certain French naval organisations. A tangible remnant of this unequivocal endorsement is seen in the christened name of the vessel – L’Hydroptère DCNS.

Characteristics and Specifications

Weighing at seven-and-a-half tonnes, the L’Hydroptère measures slightly over 22 metres lengthwise with a beam length of 24 metres and a draft of three-and-a-half metres

The foil sheets of the hydroplane are built of titanium with a carbonised fibrous finishing. These foil sheets have been constructed and equipped onto the vessel, specifically to enhance its speeds while on water

L’Hydroptère’s exquisite constructional paradigm has enabled it to surpass various maritime speed records, most importantly the World Sailing Record in the year 2009. Boasting of high speeds touching at almost 60 knots, the vessel’s record-breaking speed was pegged at over 50 knots. Its high speed, without leaving a major impact on the retarding force while on water, has been a major positive about the hydroplane.

Inspired by a lot of engineering principles and an equal number of engineering pioneers, the L’Hydroptère is a vessel worth marvelling at. Though at present it is still regarded to be an observational craft, its immense feasibility and potential viability can help the vessel go a long way in helping to become a huge success, if and when modified and launched commercially.

Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction