What are Hydrofoil Boats?

Hydrofoil boats incorporating hydrofoil to help them propel much faster on the water are an attraction that has held the shipping industry for quite some time now. But it has to be noted that these boats are by no means the latest design.

Hydrofoil boats were created by Alexander Graham Bell and Casey Baldwin in 1908. They were used extensively in the early 1900s, especially during the First World War, by American troops of the United States of America, Germany and Russia to avoid mines.

Besides boats, hydrofoils are used in water skis, kiteboards and other extreme water sports equipment.

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How do Hydrofoil boats work?

Air flows over and under an aircraft, wing to create a lift. Similarly, a hydrofoil pushes the boat’s hull out of the water by generating a lift, allowing the vessel to ‘fly’ faster. Most of these boats can easily reach top speeds of 40 to 50 knots.

In modern times, however, these boats are gaining more momentum because they are faster and faster on the waters. A hydrofoil boat works in straightforward terms. The hydrofoil on the base of the boat allows it to move easily and ensures that the body of the boat – which in marine terms is referred to as the hull – does not come in any contact with the water.

Also, since the hydrofoil works only if the boat is still on the surface of the water, it prevents the boat from rising out of the water and causing it to capsize. And if by any chance, it manages to come out of the water, its design will force the hull of the boat to crash back into the water, and the hydrofoil gets submerged till adequate thrust is generated to lift the boat and carry on.

Where are they Used?

They are mainly used for fishing, but given the speed factor, they can be used for many purposes in the days to come. As cargo carriers, they can help transport heavy materials across the ocean in a matter of days and weeks, thereby helping to solve the cargo getting delayed while reaching its intended destination.

Also, since the hydrofoil is the main engineer behind the propelling of the hydrofoil boat, even marine animals can escape the inadvertent attack when encountered by a cargo liner.

Advantages

Hydrofoils reduce motion index. Hence less porpoising translates to improved passenger comfort, smooth ride and stability. They are not affected by rough waters compared to conventional boats. Also, most of these boats offer enhanced performance while minimising installation efforts.

World’s first commercially viable Hydrofoil boat

A maritime company based in Belfast launched a unique hydrofoil boat in June 2022. The boats are kept above water using electric-driven hydrofoils attached to the hull. This is a similar technique used by America’s Cup racing yachts.

The eco-friendly vessel is pushed upwards due to its underwater wings as its speed increases. The electric hydrofoil boat glides silently over water, as its hull does not part the waves, which reduces friction and drag, including operating costs, compared to conventional sailboats that run on fossil fuels.

The first boat in the series is the famous Candela c-8, infused with an innovative electric propulsion system. It can carry 12 passengers and has a maximum speed of 34 knots. They can be used as workboats or ferry crews to larger ships.

Important Points

However, it must be noted that the hydrofoil used in the hydrofoil boats consists of much smaller foils than the foils on a hydroplane. The density of water is much higher than the density of air, because of which not much pressure is needed on the hydrofoils to manoeuvre the boat on the surface of the water, thus explaining the reason for the foils in the hydrofoil in the boat being small.

Conclusion

Just like yachts which have revolutionized the shipping and the boating industry to a great level, hydrofoil boats are also capable of doing something equally great. Right now, they are not used much. Still, given the benefits and the efficiency, more people may take to boats using hydrofoils as a successful alternative to the existing ones.

Hydrofoil boats are compact, and unlike several other items with lots of restrictions imposed on them because of their compactness, they are free of any encumbrances, making them even lucrative from the point of view of any current and potential boat-owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is hydrofoil on a boat?

A hydrofoil is like an underwater fin or a curved wing structure that is made to lift a moving boat or vessel. It makes the ships faster by reducing drag.

2. How much does a hydrofoil boat costs?

Their cost depends on the brand, their features and other characteristics. However, generally, a simple hydrofoil vessel is around 5000 US dollars.

3. Should I add a hydrofoil to my boat?

Adding a hydrofoil to a boat boosts performance and speed, especially for boats that do not require trim tabs. They are also more stable than conventional sailboats.

4. When were hydrofoil boats used?

Hydrofoil boats were used in the early 1900s by navies of many countries. They were immensely used during World War I to avoid underwater mines.

5. Why are they not popular now?

These boats were very popular in the 1990s; however, they are not used or manufactured on a large scale now. This is because they are sensitive to impacts with floating objects and marine creatures.

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Reference: Mit

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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.