Gitana 18’s radical foils and A‑frame rudders unveiled
Alexandra
At the Lorient team base the new Gitana 18 was assembled using heavy‑lift cranes and specialized cradles to position the enormous swinging arms that support the 5m‑span Y‑foils, underscoring the logistical complexity of handling next‑generation Ultim appendages in a commercial shipyard environment.
What was revealed at the launch
The presentation in Lorient exposed several technical departures from previous 100ft trimarans. The most immediately visible innovations are the giant Y‑foils, a sculptural central wing and an entirely new rudder architecture described by the team as an inverted A‑frame or ‘U’‑shaped rudder. These systems reflect an approach that borrows from foiling development in high‑performance racing while scaling up for ocean‑going Ultim demands.
Key technical highlights
- Y‑foils: Twin 5m spans mounted on large swinging arms with independently trimmed trailing‑edge flaps and variable rake and lift.
- A‑frame rudders: Twin fixed chords with adjustable trailing flaps to control steering under very high loads and reduce structural deformation.
- Canting, bendable wing mast: A Southern Spars build designed to allow controlled mast bend for mainsail power management during take‑off, flight and squalls.
- Central wing: A roughly 3m metallic wing beneath the hull intended to contribute to stable flight; material specifics remain undisclosed.
How these elements differ from previous designs
The Gitana 18 replaces the conventional L‑shaped foils used on earlier ocean trimarans with the more expansive Y‑foil geometry, increasing lateral span and control authority. The rudders move away from pivoting single stocks to a fixed dual‑chord framework with trailing flaps, an architecture aimed at preventing deformation under extreme loading without adding drag penalties. The mast architecture is the first Ultim mast by Southern Spars and is designed to flex intentionally as a trimming tool rather than remain purely rigid or purely canting.
📚 You may also like
Performance targets and operational aims
Gitana’s stated objective for the project is sustained foiling for the vast majority of operating time: lowering the wind threshold for foilborne flight and increasing average speeds while in flight. Skipper Charles Caudrelier has cited ambitions of flying in 3m seas and reaching sustained averages near 40 knots, with top‑end potential exceeding 55 knots. Translating those targets into reliable ocean passages requires not only design innovation but robust operational procedures and shore‑side support capable of servicing advanced appendages.
Design authorship and team
The project was led conceptually by designer Guillaume Verdier in collaboration with Gitana’s in‑house 30‑person team. Gitana 18 draws on the empirical data collected from the previous Gitana 17 (now Actual Ultim 4), which accumulated substantial ocean miles and race experience. Owner Ariane de Rothschild and a visual identity by Florian and Michaël Quistrebert in partnership with the Palais de Tokyo complete the design story, linking performance ambition with high‑profile aesthetic presentation.
| Feature | Gitana 17 / Actual Ultim 4 | Gitana 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Foil type | L‑shaped foils | Y‑foils, 5m span |
| Rudder architecture | Conventional pivoting rudder stocks | A‑frame fixed chords with trailing flaps |
| Mast | Rigid canting mast | Canting, intentionally bendable wing mast (Southern Spars) |
| Flight goal | Intermittent foiling | Foil for ≈100% of sailing time |
| Target speeds | High averages for class | Sustained ≈40 kn, top potential >55 kn |
Implications for ocean racing logistics and support
Deploying and maintaining large swinging arms, high‑span foils and A‑frame rudders changes the demands on marinas, transporters and shore crews. Slip‑way capacities, travel lift clearances and crane reach become critical constraints. Spare parts inventory must expand to include large control surfaces and complex flap actuation systems. From an operational logistics perspective, teams need stronger, repeatable procedures for removing and reinstalling appendages and for protecting sensitive surfaces during transit.
Practical effects for charter and rental markets
Although Gitana 18 is a purpose‑built race Ultim rather than a charter vessel, the technological direction has consequences for the wider yachting and rental ecosystem. Owners and operators of performance multihulls will need to consider:
- Marina infrastructure compatibility for handling large foiling systems.
- Availability of specialized maintenance and certified technicians.
- Insurance and safety protocols for higher cruising speeds and foilborne operation.
GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course, placing no limits on a good life and helping clients find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste.
For sailors, charter operators and marinas, Gitana 18 signals an acceleration of foiling tech into ever larger platforms. That trend will influence training standards for captains, affect marina layout planning, and gradually filter into the leisure market as lessons in control, structural load management and foil handling propagate down to performance cruising multihulls.
Provide a short forecast on how this news could impact the global tourism and travel map. While a single race program is unlikely to reshape global tourism by itself, the innovations showcased on Gitana 18 are relevant to charter customers and coastal destinations that host high‑performance events. Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away!
The unveiling highlights how technical progress on ocean racing platforms often previews broader shifts in marine leisure: advances in foil design, load management and lightweight structures influence how we think about speed, access to remote anchorages and the types of activities offered from a rented boat. Experiencing a new location is a multifaceted process — you learn about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors, its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com
Summary: Gitana 18 introduces Y‑foils, an inverted A‑frame rudder concept and a bendable canting wing mast to pursue near‑constant foiling and very high average speeds. These features carry operational and logistical consequences for marinas, transport and maintenance ecosystems and point toward future trickle‑down benefits for performance charter craft. For sailors and holidaymakers interested in yacht charter, boat rental or superyacht experiences, platforms that emphasize transparency in make, model, ratings and booking—like GetBoat—offer a global, user‑friendly route to unforgettable sea and ocean adventures. Whether you seek a calm day on a lake, a fast sailing passage in a gulf or a luxury superyacht on clearwater seas, the market for sale and charter will continue to evolve around safety, capability and the thrill of being on the water.
