Multihull classes |
There are four major multihull classes practiced around the world. Some countries where there are multihull competitions are France, England, German, Austria, Finland, USA, Australia and New Zealand. All classes allow both catamarans and trimarans. A brief explanation of each class follows below:
-
Multione: It
is a small high performance development class, so many variables are left
open. Only maximum boat length (one meter), maximum beam (1,2 m), maximum
sail area and maximum mast height are controlled. The boats promise to be
the fastest boats on the water less than one meter long. The class shall
make efforts to keep the boats easy to build or obtain, fast and easy to
handle and low expense. The class was founded on the idea that class rules
should encourage innovation and performance enhancing features while
keeping boats similar. -
Mini 40: This
class was developed in France based on the Formula 40 full size rule
reduced to 1/10 scale. The intention of the rules is to give the designer
and builder the freedom in design and construction, within the limitations of the rules, to build and produce
competitive multihulls. The models are limited to 1220mm
maximum length, 1220mm maximum beam and 0,9 mē maximum sail area. Moveable ballasts, wing
masts, swinging rigs are permitted. Some
Mini 40 links: -
Trimarine - German
-
Hydro
Fly - le multicoque volant -
France -
Formula 48: This
class is the United States version of the Mini 40 class. The Formula 48 is
an open and fully developmental class of radio controlled sailing multihulls and only three dimensions are controlled: maximum length, width
and sail area. Boats have the same size as the previous class (1220mm
maximum length and beam) and 0,9 mē maximum sail area.
Actually, a same hull would be legal in both classes. Solid
wing sails, multiple masts, uni-rig sail designs, wing masts, moveable
ballasts are all legal and encouraged. - 2 Meter: It was the first class created
for multihull racing and was first promoted in France. The rules are
simple, catamarans or trimarans are allowed and are limited to 2m length
and width with 2.3m maximum mast height. The sail area is unrestricted,
but since the boats don't normally use ballast the rig is self-limiting.
This class produces magnificent looking craft, very stable on the water
but difficult to handle on shore.
The
boats promise to be the fastest boats on the water less than 2000 mm long.
- Some multihull links and pictures: - British Model Multihull Association - England - New Zealand - http://www.radioyachting.com/?page_id=7 - Iwema Enterprise - Interesting information. Classes and several multihull models. - AMYA Multihull Page - United States
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