DNA F4 Foiling Offshore One-Design Catamaran

DNA, which is part of Dutch-based advanced composites constructions company Holland Composites, is revealing its new F4, a full carbon 46-foot foiling catamaran designed and built to push the boundaries of distance one design racing offshore.

“With the design cycle of the F4, the focus was all on performance and the result is stunning, a bigger and faster all-out racing machine which every speed freak should at least have a look at,” says Pieterjan Dwarshuis.

Built in Lelystad, the boat is the result of an 8-month design project spearheaded by DNA’s lead engineer and Shannon Falcone. The plan is to launch and commission in Newport, RI in summer 2016 and spend the remainder of autumn in New England testing the boundaries of the boat’s capabilities in preparation for a busy winter racing season in the Caribbean.

Aimed at those looking for America’s Cup technology without the need for large shore crews and being washed from trampolines, the F4’s cockpit offers ample room for passengers in the heart of the action with a pilothouse providing sheltered area for long passages.

In the same way that former A-Class world champion Mischa Heemskerk influenced the ergonomics and system development on DNA’s A-Class catamaran F1, America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race veteran Shannon Falcone has been the technical advisor for the DNA F4.

DNA also designed and built the foiling 40-foot G4 which was offered by DNA to Gunboat for further resale. While G4-02 is under construction, the future of that model has been hampered by the bankruptcy of Gunboat.

G4-02 under construction with systems about to be installed.

“The team at DNA gave me the opportunity to propose new concepts and features that integrate my past America’s Cup and Volvo experiences following my feedback from sailing the G4 both inshore and offshore,” says Falcone. “Thanks to the support of our partners this boat is the result of an industry wide collaboration to help bring one-design production foiling into a real world racing environment. The DNA F4 is aimed at owner drivers looking for performance, efficiency and drastically reduced operating costs.”

More information will be available soon on www.dnaperformancesailing.com.

About DNA
DNA is part of Dutch-based advanced composites constructions company Holland Composites. In addition to 25 years of carbon boat building experience, Holland Composites serves various other markets with niche composite products such as architectural façades and tidal turbine blades. DNA also designed and built SAIL magazine’s 2015 ‘Best Performance boat over 30ft’, the G4 which was offered by DNA to Gunboat for further resale.

About Shannon Falcone
Shannon Falcone is a 34-year-old professional sailor from Antigua who grew up racing in the Caribbean. He has competed in four America’s Cup campaigns, and was onboard Oracle Team USA for their successful 2013 defense in San Francisco. Furthermore, he has been involved in two Volvo Ocean Races with Puma Ocean Racing and currently competes on Comanche, the 100ft super maxi built to break records. He enjoys kiting, paddling and sharing his passion for water with family and friends.