Achilles
06-22-2007, 10:08 AM
Sea Phantom: 70mph Boat Flies Above the Waves
By Charlie Sorrel
June 21, 2007
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/prototype_leaving_bay_side_view%201_1.jpg
Boats are slow. Water drags on a moving body much more than air, which is why hydrofoils and catamarans go so much faster than conventional hulled boats: Less of them touch the speed-sapping water.
The Sea Phantom is a prototype high speed boat which almost flies above the water. The body is shaped into an aerofoil, an upside down wing, which uses the ground effect to push it down onto the water. It's that same way Formula One race-cars hug the ground for grip. Two fully sprung and damped "foils" push against the water, keeping the hull in the air and absorbing bumps in rough seas. Think beach buggy for water.
The Sea Phantom uses a regular outboard motor but the lack of drag means it can reach speeds of 70mph, with a 100mph version expected soon. Still in development, the Sea Phantom has been evolving since boat designer David Borman, who made his first boat at 12 years old, came up with the idea.
Future versions will use jet turbine engines and there are civilian pleasure craft on the way, priced at $400,000 to $600,000.
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/06/sea-phantom-7-1.html
By Charlie Sorrel
June 21, 2007
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/prototype_leaving_bay_side_view%201_1.jpg
Boats are slow. Water drags on a moving body much more than air, which is why hydrofoils and catamarans go so much faster than conventional hulled boats: Less of them touch the speed-sapping water.
The Sea Phantom is a prototype high speed boat which almost flies above the water. The body is shaped into an aerofoil, an upside down wing, which uses the ground effect to push it down onto the water. It's that same way Formula One race-cars hug the ground for grip. Two fully sprung and damped "foils" push against the water, keeping the hull in the air and absorbing bumps in rough seas. Think beach buggy for water.
The Sea Phantom uses a regular outboard motor but the lack of drag means it can reach speeds of 70mph, with a 100mph version expected soon. Still in development, the Sea Phantom has been evolving since boat designer David Borman, who made his first boat at 12 years old, came up with the idea.
Future versions will use jet turbine engines and there are civilian pleasure craft on the way, priced at $400,000 to $600,000.
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/06/sea-phantom-7-1.html