on 28 Aug 2019
The 2020 Foiler from luxury UAE builder features a joystick and a fully carbon-fibre build
“The Flying Yacht” by Enata Marine, a Sharjah-based shipyard in the United Arab Emirates, has received many upgrades, including a new forward cockpit with a revolutionary joystick to provide the experience of flying above the water. The 2020 Foiler will be on display at the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (October 16-19).
(Photo: Guillaume Plisson)
The new joystick creates a unique and instinctive driving experience of sailing in complete serenity, with the driver seated comfortably in the bow, and power and control at the fingertips.
From the traditional driving console, with its wheel and throttle, owners can choose to activate the joystick installed by the foredeck seats to control the speed and direction of the Foiler. Pushing forward or pulling back adjusts the speed from a standstill up to 40 knots. Tilting to either side controls the direction. This innovation, developed by Enata over the last year, enables the Foiler to become like an extension of the body.
(Photo: Guillaume Plisson)
Using four hydrofoils, like wings in the water, the Foiler is the world’s first flying yacht. These lift the Foiler 1.5 metres above the waves as soon as it reaches a speed of 18 knots, with an effortless and progressive take-off and landing. Delivering a smooth and quiet passenger experience, the rolling and slamming of conventionally-designed yachts will feel outmoded in comparison.
Additional advantages include the virtual elimination of seasickness, staying dry from spray and splashes, and the usual discomforts like back pain caused by bumpy rides. With a cutting-edge hull design and ground-breaking hydrofoil technology, the Foiler delivers ultimate comfort.
(Photo: Guillaume Plisson)
Like all authentically high-end luxury yachts, the Foiler is fully customisable. On the model displayed, the client requested that the poem “L’Homme et la Mer” (“The Man and the Sea”) by Charles Baudelaire be inscribed into a white teak deck alongside a nautical map. The white deck adds elegance, with the poem highlighting the centreline of the Foiler. The white colour is also a very effective solution for combating the sun’s heat underfoot in summer.
The 2020 Foiler model features a significant technical upgrade. The hybrid propulsion system has been replaced with a more efficient industrial-grade hydraulic propulsion system that is extremely reliable and durable. It is powered by twin V8 marine diesel engines, providing a total of 740hp. Enata had conducted extensive research to further minimise the drag of the torpedoes powering the Foiler, which has led to a significant increase in speed and efficiency.
(Photo: Guillaume Plisson)
The new propulsion system is exceptionally quiet, creating a very low and futuristic sound to characterise flying yachts.
To be both light and strong, the Foiler is fully built in carbon fibre. At the touch of a button, the hydrofoils are completely retracted so the Foiler can be used as a normal yacht, giving you the option to sail in shallow waters of just 60cm in depth, and to dock at a pontoon or a superyacht. Remarkably, the Foiler has been designed to fit into a superyacht tender garage, and some owners use the Foiler as a tender/limousine or ultimate day boat.