Syroco – Fastest sailboat with 150 km/h with kite and foil

Syroco Moonshoot-1 - Fastest sailboat in the world
Syroco Moonshoot-1 - Fastest sailboat in the world. Photo from Syro.com website

Did you know that the French startup Syroco lab is working on the fastest sailboat of all time. It should happen in 2022: a wind-powered boat has to break the speed barrier of 150 kilometers per hour. We explain how the team led by Alex Caizergues, 4 times champion kite speed, with a six-meter-long fish-shaped capsule that is pulled by a kite that wants to go over the water at 150 kilometers per hour.

Fastest sailboat in the world: 121 km/h

As of 2012 it is world speed record sailing remained unbroken. Because in November 2012, the Australian Paul Larsen reached 65,45 knots, a speed of 121 kilometers per hour. This is what he achieved with his Vestas Sail Rocket 2 when he blasted over the South Atlantic waters off the coast of Namibia. There are currently two rival teams looking to go above and beyond and build the fastest sailboat, or maybe kitefoil boat, in the world.

Syroco Moonshoot 1 facts

Origin fastest sailboat in Sahara

First of all, the name Syroco was deliberately chosen for the project. He probably appeals to sailors who have sailed in the Mediterranean. The Siroco is a warm savage southeastern wind that originates in the sandy plains of the Sahara desert. That is why Caizergues named his project after it.

Syroco - Sailboat but not as you think

Even though there is talk of sailing records, you have to forget the traditional sailboat concept for a while. Precisely because the Syroco can best be described as a six meter long fish-shaped capsule that is pulled by a kite.

We immediately had to think of how kitesurfing olympic could be. You remember sailing.

Other than kitefoiling

However, the fish-shaped capsule hangs above the water. Under the water, the angled hydrofoil should do the job. The wing of the foil and the mast are the only points of contact with the water at speed. From kitesurfing we see that kitesurfing brand F-one is an official supplier for the Syroco Moonlight 1.

'Weightless hunting' concept

As you can see in the video, the operation of the hydrofoil is different than we know with kite foiling and wing foiling. The Syroco foil provides counter pressure to the kite. In between hangs the yacht, which thus becomes weightless.

It's all about optimal aerodynamic and hydrodynamic distribution of opposing forces.

Test run passed

In December 2021, numerous test runs were carried out with the prototype of the Syroco Moonshoot 1. These were ultimately successful. At high speed, the Syroco came out of the water via a cable that simulated a kite to sail on the foils. look at it test runs report.

Syroco Moonshoot-1 Prototype test run
Syroco Moonshoot-1 rrototype test run in December 2021

Keep control at 150 km / h

Two people go into the capsule who have to keep things in line. The kite must be controlled. The balance on the foil must also be found. And then again as optimal as possible in strong wind. Who to kitefoiling, wingfoiling or sail foiling, know that this is not easy.

The race is ambitious and will hopefully bring about breakthroughs

We know by now: set an impossible goal and work on it until it becomes possible. This is what helps companies like Apple and Tesla push the boundaries of technology. In fact, this is also Alex Caizergues' approach with Syroco. He wants to push boundaries and thus, as a channelizer for the maritime sector, realize new technologies and more efficient ways.

Syroco concept. Around 1:35 minute in English explanation about the concept.

Formula 1 on the water in the future?

Another, hitherto speculative, line of thought is whether this project could develop into a new sport. A kind of Formula 1 on the water.

We follow the Syroco project closely. For now, take a look at how Alex Caizergues goes with kite surfing: 107,36 kilometers per hour.

1 reaction

  1. Bonjour, j'ai découvert votre projet en regardant un JT en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Je ne pratique pas le kite (j'ai un peu pratiqué le parapente et très longtemps avant, l'avion CESSNA), but comprends certains principles.
    Si vous visez les 150 km/h, vous vous confrontez à un problème d'envol, donc de perte d'adhérence sur l'eau et comme ils n'ont pas des commandes de stabilization du monde aérien, le pilote perd le contrôle, il ne maîtrise pas la transition et n'a pas les commandes pour voler).
    Vous aurez surement ce problème selon comment souffle le vent, la manière d'orienter votre voile et la direction prize.
    And kite, in general, the picture is parallel to the kite surfer's plan.
    Sur les vidéos de Syroco Moonlight 1, votre voile est orientée perpendicularement à votre “bateau-coque de 6 mètres”, soit dans le sens d'un parapente allant en avant (qui peut être ascendant ou descendant selon la tenue des risers en extrémité de voile).

    Je ne sais pas à quelle hauteur vous allez décoller si cela arrive, mais les chutes peuvent être violentes (au pire 20 mètres par sec) et entrainer de la casse. Je ne sais pas comment vous vous protégez en cas d'incident.

    Autrement, même si la probabilité semble faible, la vitesse visée et votre foil dans l'eau risque de rencontrer des morceaux de bois, des animaux (qui seront blesser ou tuer), des filets…
    Don't forget to take the time to enjoy the food, enjoy the life of the flottants, the animals, the fillets.

    Problem vous allez migrez vers un système “hydravion” avec des commandes avions pour le contrôle.

    On the internet, on the basis of the décollage speeds:
    “Quelle vitesse pour faire decoller un avion? L'ordre de grandeur de la vitesse de décollage est de : 20 to 50 km/h pour les planeurs ultra-légers motorisés (ULM). 80 to 120 km/h pour les avions monomoteurs de loisir ou les bimoteurs à hélices d'affaire. 240 to 280 km/h pour les avions de ligne selon leur taille (A320, A380).”

    Good continuation,
    Lauren HELLOUIN.
    (l.hellouin@gmail.com et +687 815149)

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