L'Hydroptere in 'speed mode'

Alain Thébault's flying boat aiming at the 50 knot barrier off Marseille

Since decamping to the Mediterranean, Alain Thébault and the L'Hydroptere crew have been busy training and sailing between Marseille and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, as wind conditions have permitted. After the first sailing sessions, the time has come to make the first evaluation...

Having traditionally based themselves out of La Trinite-sur-Mer in Brittany, the members of L’Hydroptère team have now got their bearings in Marseille in the south of France and have been able to adjust to the new environment and sea conditions of the Mediterranean. The relocation was facilitated by the warm welcome they received from the time of their arrival, first of all by the CNIM team, who welcomed the boat during her final phase of assembly. They made themselves available and were very responsive to the specific needs of L’Hydroptère team. Then by the Foselev company, which coordinated all the necessary logistics for the team's technicians. And finally by Marseille Provence Métropole, that welcomes L’Hydroptère free of charge in the Vieux Port of Marseille.

The latest incarnation of their vessel is what the team are terming a 'speed version' of L'Hydroptere. For this reason, skipper and creator Alain Thébault and his crew have required time to make necessary adjustments to control of the boat. “Following the conversion to a speed configuration, we have had to re-acquaint ourselves with the boat, discover her new sensations and, little by little, tame this lively boat. We must re-discover everything, each move, each manoeuvre”, says Thébault.

Fortunately the strong Mistral wind, characteristic of the area has been fairly rare over the past few weeks, and tuning has taken place in winds never more than 20 knots. Each sailing session is followed by a complete examination of the measurements in order to refine the tuning and to optimise the flying trimaran’s performance between sessions.

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is perfect for the needs of the crew, bringing together ideal conditions for a speed record attempt: flat water protected by sand dunes but where they can still get Mistral winds.

The team are now waiting for bigger conditions to test L'Hydrotere incrementally at speeds over 40 knots, in order for their engineers to make their on-going analysis. These training sessions will continue until Alain Thébault and his crew feel they are ready to begin actual record attempts.

More pics on page 2...