Gitana 18 — A Giant of Flight and Innovation
Alexandra
Transporting and commissioning a 32-metre offshore trimaran such as the new Gitana 18 / Maxi Edmond de Rothschild requires coordinated logistics across fabrication, autoclave curing, heavy-lift handling and sea trials: with roughly 80% of the platform autoclave-manufactured, dozens of mechatronic actuators and 44 hydraulic rams, yard planning must account for specialist cranes, staged assembly halls and carefully sequenced systems integration to avoid bottlenecks and protect delicate appendages during transit from Lorient to the shakedown range.
Gitana 18 at a glance
Unveiled in Lorient on December 3, 2025, the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild represents the 28th hull in the Gitana lineage and a leap toward full-flight offshore trimarans. The boat’s profile combines artistic livery with an array of novel appendages and systems created by Gitana Team and Team Verdier, aiming for a projected 10–15% speed gain over prior platforms based on simulator runs and extensive testing.
Core specifications and build footprint
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 32 metres |
| Manufacturing | ~80% platform in autoclave; extensive mechatronics |
| Development effort | ~50,000 hours of study; 200,000 hours of construction |
| Project team | 200+ people; multidisciplinary specialists |
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Key design innovations
The Gitana 18 rearranges the playbook for big offshore multis with a suite of appendage-level innovations designed for sustained flight and high average speeds. Notable elements include:
- Retractable Y-foils with a wing span exceeding 5 metres, providing multi-axis trimming options and large lifting surfaces inspired by America's Cup technology.
- U-shaped rudders engineered to resist cavitation at elevated speeds, and a double rudder blade approach that trades raw material stiffness for geometrical efficiency.
- Three-dimensional trimming across mobile surfaces and a centreboard with unprecedented lifting area for this class of vessel.
- Adjustable spreaders that allow dynamic mast bend control, a first of this scale, to tune mainsail power while underway.
- Integrated cockpit and coachroof structure to maximise central-hull stiffness, following Gitana’s structural philosophy.
Systems, mechatronics and patent positioning
Gitana 18 deploys a dense matrix of electronics, hydraulic rams, kilometres of cabling and bespoke attachment systems — approaches more commonly associated with F1 and aerospace engineering. Elements of the design are subject to patent filings, indicating novel geometries and control logic that the team expects to protect. The result is a polymorphic platform capable of deploying and retracting a wide range of mobile components to optimise flight across varying sea states.
Operational implications for charter, marinas and coastal operators
Though Gitana 18 is a specialist racing and development platform, its innovations have downstream implications for charter markets, marina infrastructure and sailing operations:
- Maintenance and training — advanced mechatronics and retractable foils increase on-water performance but demand higher levels of shoreside technical support and specialised crew training for safe operation.
- Marina infrastructure — foiling superyachts and high-performance charters require lift capacities, protected berths and handling procedures to avoid damage to delicate appendages during berthing or haul-out.
- Charter product evolution — trickle-down technologies could lead to a new category of premium charters offering exhilarating, efficient long-distance passages and high-speed coastal hops for experienced guests.
- Insurance and regulation — sustained flight in offshore conditions challenges traditional insurance models and may accelerate regulatory updates around operational limits, emergency procedures and classification requirements.
Table: Innovation vs. Charter/Marina Impact
| Innovation | Function | Charter/Marina Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Retractable Y-foils | Lift & trimming flexibility | Requires bolstered haul-out protocols and sensitive handling |
| U-shaped rudders | Cavitation resistance at speed | Higher maintenance standards, targeted spares inventory |
| Mechatronic systems | Automated control & actuation | More electronics technicians and diagnostics on-call |
Construction scale and program facts
The programme behind Gitana 18 is notable for its scale and the concentration of expertise:
- 200,000 hours of construction
- 50,000 hours of study
- 80% of the platform manufactured in an autoclave
- 36-month design and build gestation
- Over 200 people involved across disciplines
Simulator work and tests predict the platform could sustain flight in 3-metre waves and approach average speeds near 40 knots under optimum conditions, though real-world trials will be the final arbiter of performance and reliability.
Broader context and historical thread
Concepts for full-flight offshore multihulls have been anticipated by figures such as Loick Peyron, and Gitana 18 represents a convergence of lessons learned from previous ocean-crossing tris and America’s Cup foiling monohulls. The project also marks a cultural continuity for Gitana, a team that balances artistic livery, technical audacity and long-horizon investment in disruptive marine technology.
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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 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 and also the unique aspects of the service. GetBoat.com
Planning forward: how this could affect travel and charter markets
Forecast: Gitana 18 is unlikely to re-map global tourism single-handedly, but its technologies will nudge the luxury charter and superyacht markets toward higher-speed, more tech-driven experiences. Operators and marinas that adapt—investing in dockside handling, crew training and technical support—will unlock fresh yachting activities and new cross-coastal itineraries. Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away!
In summary, Gitana 18 is both a technical demonstration and a cultural statement: a 32-metre, highly integrated trimaran that combines retractable Y-foils, advanced rudder geometries, mechatronics and patented elements to chase sustained flight and higher average speeds. For those in the charter, marina and service sectors, the vessel signals where high-performance offshore sailing is heading and what infrastructure and training will be needed. Whether you’re seeking a yacht charter, a next-gen sailing experience or evaluating marina upgrades for foiling-capable craft, the Gitana 18 story ties into a broader evolution across yacht, charter, boat, beach, rent, lake, sailing, captain, sale, destinations, superyacht, activities, yachting, sea, ocean, boating, gulf, water, sunseeker, marinas, clearwater and fishing-related offerings—enabling new itineraries, higher speeds and unforgettable experiences. Enjoy the voyage.
