If you're into sailing, check out this video of a French "flying" Yacht.

[JohnyCanuck]

It rises up out of the water on hydrofoil type thingys which means its displacement is negligible which allows it to go superfast (for a wind driven water craft). They say it can also handle rough seas while at speed as well. It looks like it would be a real blast to sail (but I imagine if you were to tack or gybe at speed you'd go ass over teakettle in a hurry).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFJocBvj-_w

l'Hydroptère refitted in bid for record

l'Hydroptère is a 60-foot hydrofoiling trimaran. The outer hulls --- or amas --- are fitted with hydrofoils. Upon reaching a speed of about 12 knots, the boat lifts all its hulls out of the water and planes above the waves.

The so-called "flying yacht" set a category record last year, averaging 41.69 knots over a full nautical mile.

The all-carbon trimaran was dry-docked over the winter, where skipper Alain Thébault and crew reconfigured the boat specifically to make an attempt on the 50-knot title. Design changes have included shortening the mast, and optimising the boat's hydrodynamics.

l'Hydroptère was re-launched near Marseille last week. Thébault plans to spend the next few weeks conducting speed trials on a stretch of relatively flat water nearby at Port Saint Louis du Rhône, where the mistral winds frequently blow at 30-35 knots.

http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/05/30/SailingSpeeds/

They've also got some more embedded video on their web site: http://www.hydroptere.com/_en/

[babylonsister]

1. That's very cool; looks like so much fun! nt

[pansypoo53219]

7. hell,

going out on the family lake in my cousin's 10 fter was a blast. with dan and sarah extra cause they are 6+ each. tho i did take i out ll by myself. only problem was if i tipped it over, i didn't really weigh enough to right it. tho best part was being so light i would land in the sail.

[peace13]

2. Too cool.

My Nonsuch 26 doesn't quite fly like that. Thanks for posting this. Peace, Kim

[screembloodymurder]

5. Kim, where do you sail.

The Nonsuch is no speed burner, but it does have its qualities.

[peace13]

8. We sail out of Sandusky, Ohio on Lake Erie.

My son had surgery for a hernia Friday or we would be there now. Guess Mother Nature was quite irate for the Mills Race last night. Peace, Kim

[Wiley50]

3. Shit, My 28ft Kells sloop did over 70mph two years ago

on a trailer coming to TN from VA

On her own, on the water she made 6 kts once or twice, motorsailing

Now if they could make a practical cruising boat do that.............

[midnight]

4. I've only been sailing once, but that sure looks like they were

having a good time. It is amazing what that boat did. See what loving minds can invent when they are not involved in war!

[JohnyCanuck]

6. a couple of pics