Is the Waszp the Next Olympic Boat?

It is hard to imagine that if the sport of sailing remains in the Olympic Games, that foiling boats won’t be among the equipment used. But the equipment must be one design, and so far there lacked a foiling one design dinghy on the market… until now.

The first 20 WASZP foilers were shipped last week to customers in Italy, Spain, UK, Bermuda, New Zealand and the USA. The joint McConaghy-KASail project was conceived 5 years ago by Andrew McDougall (AMac), designer of the world beating MACH2 foiling Moth. The concept was for a simple foiler that was not just a cheaper Moth, but re-imagined the whole idea:

• Cost – the WASZP is less than half the price of a fully optioned MACH2.
• Epoxy / Glass / Carbon infused hull – super tough.
• Foils – Alloy struts with injection molded tips and titanium connection for 100% repeatability and low cost replacement.
• One design – no arms race.
• Adjustable wing angles – low to learn, high to race, up for storage.
• Easy launching – retractable foils.
• Free standing rig – ease of rigging and no stays to hit.
• Simple control systems – reliable and elegant.
• Ready to Race – the aim is to quickly establish the WASZP as a World Sailing international manufacturer controlled class.

McConaghy has further developed its contract manufacturing facility for the increased production requirements of the WASZP; the initial order is for 200, and the annual production is planned at 600.

Mark Evans (left) and Andrew McDougall

“My aim has always been to have a part of our business in straight out production mode, constant flow, high efficiency, consistent quality,” said Mark Evans of McConaghy. “Our investment over the last 2 years in equipment including additional autoclaves, and robotics, means we can now build these complex high performance boats at a very competitive price, to an exact standard.”

Evans continued, “Anyone that knows AMac or me will know that we both drive very hard for what we believe in, and take no prisoners to get results. And the truth is, that is why we work so well together. It’s a mutual respect and shared belief in pushing for the best.”

More information: www.waszp.com and www.facebook.com/thewaszp