Forty-Six Foot Foiling Catamaran heads to USA

Thijs van Riemsdijk of Holland Composites BV provides this update from their facilities in Lelystad, The Netherlands…

After eight months of hard work, we have splashed and shipped the DNA’s first 46-foot F4 foiling catamaran for sea trials and commissioning in the United States. Our project partners Shannon Falcone and Tommy Loughborough of Exile Expeditions, will coordinate operations in Newport, RI in early September.

Our goal at DNA has been to design and build the most stable foiling platform available in a production catamaran. We have created an accessible boat offering speed and easy handling for those passionate about joining the foiling generation.

The design and manufacturing techniques focused on safety, efficiency and sustained flight in waves with coastal racing in mind. The spacious and unobstructed cockpit includes wheels at the helm, pedestal powered primary winches/hydraulic functions and a fluid layout to allow for a wide variety of sail combinations with limited hands on deck.

To make ownership as cost effective and sensible as possible, the F4 is strict One Design. In choosing our components, we put a lot of effort into gauging the balance between weight, durability, and cost. In most instances we went for reliability and safety factors over weight savings, and by partnering with industry leading suppliers, secured competitive pricing in exchange for class exclusivity. We are hopeful the market will embrace our passion to produce uncompromising foiling craft.

The class will be managed by Exile Expeditions and named the TOUR DE FOIL (TDF). The class management will develop sustainability guidelines and focus on consistency and value in class organization. TDF offers a unique ownership experience, rewarding both on and off the water. We at DNA will focus on craftsmanship and consistency of production and Exile Expeditions is responsible for organizing a world class grand prix racing experience.

Owner Driver racing is where the up and coming talent of our sport meets the network that enables a sustainable career as a professional sailor. Buying a boat is much more than purchasing an asset. It’s the creation of a team, broadening of a community, and investment in the culture and environment that we leave to the next generation.

We have tried to keep the price point as low as possible without compromising safety, performance, or the experience of participating in the TDF. Despite the lack of compromise, the DNA F4 is more affordable than a new TP52, sails at twice the speed, and at a third of the operating cost.

This first boat is being commissioned by Bronco Sailing Team’s Michael Dominguez of Barrington, RI. Dominguez, Loughborough, and Falcone have been sailing together since 2009. Winners of the One Design catamaran class at the NYYC race week in July, they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their next adventure.

“There’s no feeling like foiling,” remarks Dominguez. “For me this was an opportunity to support two exceptional sailors who I have raced with for a long time and to take a small part in moving performance sailing forward with a foiling platform that was exquisitely designed and executed by DNA.”

About DNA F4
The F4 is an all-out strict 46ft One Design racing machine with a target range of 1000nm. The multihull platform blends the performance and efficiency of foiling with the familiarity of a monohull that can be sailed to its potential both inshore and offshore. The flexibility of its deck layout and systems incorporate Shannon’s experience in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup. http://dnaperformancesailing.com/our-boats/dna-f4-offshore-racer/

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 various A-class catamarans which have been the platform of choice for the last five World Champions.

About Shannon Falcone
Shannon 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 races on Comanche, the 100ft super maxi that successfully set a new Transatlantic Monohull World Record a few weeks ago. You can follow Shannon on social media via @racingsf.

About Tommy Loughborough
Tommy, also 34 years old, and Shannon met in 2004 racing on the owner driven Swan 68 Chippewa. Tommy has since raced in the international Grand Prix and One Design fleets, specializing in team and project management. His experience within owner-driver racing will guide the F4 One Design class priorities toward meeting the unique needs of the benefactors of sailboat racing. You can follow Tommy on social media via @tloughboro.

Source: Holland Composites BV