Glossary · Sailing & navigation
Flying
Also called: Vol, voler, foiling, décoller, ride height, hauteur de vol
When the foils lift the hull completely out of the water.
When flying, only the foils and rudders touch the water. Drag drops and speed climbs, but the boat becomes unstable: too high, the foil draws air and stalls; too low, the hull slams back into the water. Crews constantly adjust ride height with the rake of the foils and rudder elevators.
Ultim trimarans are designed to fly offshore, day and night, single-handed.
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