foil moth sailboat

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Waszp – the new one-design foiling Moth that could make learning to fly a little less painful

• Matthew Sheahan
• September 14, 2016

As a development class, the International Moth has been a hotbed of foiling innovations over the past few years. Matthew Sheahan reports on a new accessible one-design version

Waszp on display at Foiling Week 2016, Malcesine, Lake Garda. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

If there is one class of boat that has turned more heads around the world in the last decade than any other, it must surely be the foiling Moth. Having started as more of a stunt than anything more serious, there is now no other way to race a Moth.

Fleets worldwide have grown and the experts make foiling look effortless, yet the reality is that mastering the Moth is even more difficult than carve gybing a windsurfer. Yet there is no doubt that the combination of speed, silence and extraordinary looks has been, and continues to be, a big draw.

With so few rules, the International Moth – as opposed to the ironing board-shaped British Moth – has always been at the leading edge of design and development. Famous for its laissez-faire approach, it has just a few simple rules that have resulted in some of the most radical thinking in the sport.

But not everyone is able or willing to play. For some, the pace of development got too hot when hull shapes became little more than a plank on edge. A boat that would only float the right way up if you were moving and required the balance of a cat on a fence from the helmsman was a challenge too far for many sailors.

But as we now know, there was another big hike in performance to come as the Moth took to foils. Once again, some found this a step too far, though plenty rose to the challenge and helped to create a completely new style of racing. Those who have learned to foil have left the rest of us green with envy.

One design Moth

But a new design of Moth might change all that as the long-awaited WASZP goes on sale. Conceived five years ago by Andrew McDougall, designer of the MACH2 Moth, the idea was to make a foiling Moth not only cheaper, but easier to sail.

So while the WASZP is based on the foiling Moth and conforms to the few class rules that there are, it differs fundamentally in that it is a strict one-design. But it has other advantages for the less daring.

The stern has greater volume to prevent sinking during low-speed manoeuvres and tacking. This also helps keep the boat on the foils. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

For starters, the wings provide sufficient buoyancy to keep the boat the right way up when stopped, and they are also adjustable to allow you to alter the angle by which they rise towards their tips – technically called dihedral.

Setting the wings flatter, that is with less dihedral, is like lowering the stabilisers on a child’s bike. The outboard ends of the wings touch the water and support you before things go pear-shaped.

Looking like a pro

As you get more proficient at keeping the kind of balance that unicyclists take for granted, you increase the dihedral to allow you to sail the boat heeled to windward.

At this point the daggerboard T-foil is hauling you to windward while you look like a pro.

Furthermore, the mast is unstayed, making it simpler to rig and, with no shrouds to act as giant cheese wires, considerably safer when you do take a tumble. The main foil and rudder lift like conventional daggerboards so it’s easier to get on and off the beach.

Fully fledged Moths have a fixed daggerboard and rudder, which are fitted when the boat is on its side, leaving you to swim out into deeper water with the boat in tow like a dog with a stick before you can right it and sail away. The reverse process is required when coming ashore.

Clearly, this is not for everyone. With delicate, expensive carbon foils, you want to get this right from the start. Few do.

The WASZP, however, has foils that can not only be lowered progressively once you’re under way, like a Laser, but are made of alloy with injection-moulded tips, making them far more robust.

A conventional daggerboard and matching T foil rudder make life easier getting afloat and back ashore. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Worth the wait

The hull is an epoxy, glass, carbon-infused composite so it is tough, but light, weighing 48kg including foils. And although that’s around 18kg heavier than a modern Moth, the WASZP is the same weight as the RS Aero, which I know from experience is light enough to carry down to the water.

And then there’s the cost. At around US$10,000 (£7,550) it is said to be half the price of a fully tricked MACH2.

The project has been a long time coming, but now it’s here with a fleet racing at the recent Foiling Week held on Lake Garda there’s a buzz going around that it was well worth the wait.

Design features

One of the keys to the WASZP is the folding wings. Set horizontally, they act as stabilisers and can be raised as you become more proficient, using different-sized wing supports. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Different sail plans for different sizes and abilities of sailor have become popular in modern single-handed dinghies. The WASZP has a choice of 5.8 sq m, 6.9sq m or 8.2sq m sails. Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

A wishbone boom system, like that on a windsurfer, dispenses with a conventional boom and kicker and makes tacking easier. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

As with the Moth, the WASZP uses a wand to control the ride height automatically using a mechanical sensor system. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

With its unstayed mast it is easy to rig, there’s no rigging to collide with when you take a tumble and it’s easier to get back aboard after a capsize. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Extruded alloy sections and the mechanical hinge systems make for a simpler and more robust system than the composite foils in a Moth. They are also cheaper to replace. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

A concave profile bow allows better response in waves for the wand while providing greater volume forward to help prevent burying the bow during a bear away. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

MACH2 Essentials

All you need to know about the Moth class and Mach2 in particular. All the essential information regarding the boat, it's history, evolution of foiling, the designer, the sailmaker and the boat builder. There's even an introductory video and a few testimonials. Enjoy!

The Designer

Andrew 'AMAC' McDougall first became involved with the Moth class when he built his first Moth at the age of 15 in 1970.

Need some parts for your Mach2? We have a full compliment of sails, spas, foils and Mach2 spares available online.

Speed Demons

36.6 ned goss.

Is this a world record speed for a dinghy? Ned Goss in a 18-25 knot Charleston sea breeze hit a peak speed of 36.5 knots, with a 10 sec average of 35.9 knots in his MACH2. Goss’s Velocitek files were verified by Bora Gulari & Velocitek founder Alec Stewart. Take that!

30.2 Josh McKnight

Following his win at Lake Garda, 2012 World Moth Champion, Josh McKnight then set an outstanding top speed and ten second average on his Mach2. It goes to show the Mach2 / KA Sail is a killer combination!

31.5 Scott Babbage

Scott Babbage set this speed sailing his MACH2 on Sydney Harbour whilst training with Josh McKnight. Any top speed that's above 30 knots is well worth a mention, but to have a ten second average that is also above 30 knots, wow!

31.4 Hiroki Goto

Sailing at a lake in Japan near Mount Fuji, Hiroki Goto, set a very impressive top speed of 31.0 knots, only to surpassed his on record the following day with a top speed of 31.4 knots and a ten second average of 28.4 knots.

MACH2.6 Is Here

This is the fifth major upgrade in the illustrious life of the Mach2 Moth. Already it's proving to be dominant. For the complete list of upgrades and features, hit the link below

Testimonials

We take a great deal of pleasure designing, building and supporting the best foiling Moth in the world. And nothing gives us greater pleasure than the positive feedback we have received from MACH2 owners over the past 10 years. Here's a few owner testimonials........

Thanks for Visiting the MACH 2 Website

Before you go, sign up to keep up to date with all the latest MACH2 developments.

CLASS CULTURE

THE JUNIOR FOILER

SAILGP PARTNERSHIP

Buy a waszp.

Latest News

NEW Product – The WASZP_X – The Ultimate Junior Foiler

Launch – VIDEO: On the back of the extremely successful 2021 European WASZP Games and return to international competition,...

The Swarm Podcast – Magenta Foiling Team – Alice Senior & Jaz Boote

Alice Senior and Jaz Boote from the Magenta Foiling Team join Martin Evans and Tyler Bjorn. Alice and Jaz...

The Swarm Podcast – Galen Richardson – Youth America’s Cup

With the Youth Americas Cup kicking off we speak with young Canadian star Galen Richardson. For anyone wondering what...

NEW RUDDER FOIL ANNOUNCEMENT

We began reviewing the design of the WASZP over four years ago. Initially, our goal was to create a high-performance...

The Swarm Podcast – WASZP UK

Episode 18 of The Swarm Podcast, we feature two stalwarts of the WASZP UK class, who play equally important...

The Swarm Podcast – Magnus Overbeck

Martin Evans and Tyler Bjorn speak to Magnus Overbeck, The International WASZP Champion speaks about his journey to winning...

Change to the EuroCup Schedule – Barcelona to host the EuroCup final and WASZP Christmas Party!

Barcelona, home of the 37th Americas Cup, will host the final WASZP EuroCup of 2024! Replacing the Croatian leg...

SUBSCRIBE TO WASZP NEWS

Join the Swarm!

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES

Fastest speed @jackson macauley, boats entered @ waszp games 2024.

TESTIMONIALS

SAILGP INSPIRE

Showroom Pathway SailGP News

Webshop Documents Ask WASZP Privacy Policy

[email protected]

Subscribe to our mailing list and stay up-to-date with the most recent news and updates from WASZP

You have Successfully Subscribed!

THE ONE DESIGN FOILER

World class foiling has never been more accessible. The WASZP is the perfect platform to enjoy one-design racing as well as a fun, friendly lifestyle where anything is possible!

ORDER YOUR WASZP --> ORDER YOUR WASZP

Select your Basic Boat Configuration:

Product description

The WASZP project was conceived in 2010 and put into production in June 2016 by Andrew McDougall, designer of the world beating Mach 2 foiling Moth.

The Moth is a racing boat with very few rules and therefore has developed into a boat that is beautiful to sail on the water, but not the answer to everyone’s requirements for a sailing dinghy.

The concept was for a foiling platform that enables closer one-design racing, less complex rigging, affordable to all sailors while being accessible to a wider range of ages and weights. Creating a brand and culture that takes sailing into the mainstream.

Product highlights

Affordability – The most affordable foiling dinghy at $USD11,900

Accessibility – Simple ordering system and agent support in over 30 countries

Durability – Boat has been engineered to take the strain of learning right through to world class racing.

Learning platform – Forgiving learning platform, most sailors with a moderate amount of dinghy experience will foil in their first session.

Closest foiling racing in the world – The one-design nature provides the closest and most exciting foiling racing in the world!

Product Features

Easy set-up

Simple to rig – plug and play! Can be rigged and on the water in 10-15minutes

Simple control system and layout

We have taken the best bits from a Moth and simplified them to enable an enjoyable un-complicated experience for all sailors. There are enough controls to keep the sailing entertaining. Tuning is important and there is enough to play with for the experienced sailor.

Safety while foiling

The foil design was to create a fast, stable platform with good performance. The foils are not sharp and provide the safest experience for those learning to foil for the first time. Easy to right the boat after a capsize. - No side stays to run into.

Get free gift and join the growing community

Recent News

Recent Events

No. of Countries

Fastest speed, boats @ euro championships, best one-design.

Sailing World’s Boat of the Year Awards

Best Foiling production boat

Foiling Week Awards (Italy)

Performance Boat of the Year (under 5m)

The 10th China Cup International Regatta

Dinghy of the Year

Yachts & Yachting (UK)

Professionally treated Many thanks for a fantastic boat and A LOT OF CREDIT to you for your "recall campaign". The boat was already close to perfect, but still you do updates free of charge "just in case". During 50 years of racing and buying different boats I have never been so professionally treated! You provide instruction films, you keep contact with us owners after the purchase and you make sure that quality is always at top level. Johan Axelson - Sweden

huge thank you Just wanted to say again a huge thank you for the absolutely exceptional Service...the parts arrived last night at the sailing club...not even 48 hours after I wrote you the first mail Sunday night!! You guys are really just brilliant...the product is superbe...initial sale is superbe and after Service is more than superbe!!! What else can I say...;-). Thanks a million. Pascal Radue -

Olympic class You deserve for your boats to be Olympic class. Not just for the experience they provide but also for the fantastic and fast support! Stuart Cerne -

Happy with my boat I bought my Waszp almost one year ago, I'm very happy with my boat! I had my first sail with another Waszp and it adds a lot of fun Pierre Dalibot - France

Wonderful customer service thank you for this wonderful customer service, we were back and forth between the Waszp and UFO and we are so happy we chose the Waszp, we love the boats and our kids love the boats. We have put nearly 30 10-15 year old's up on foils in seasonal New England in the US so its been fantastic. Mark Zagol - USA

Loving the boat I would like to say how impressed I am with the whole incident logging process and the upgrade package that has been done. Loving the boat and pretty much sail anytime the conditions suit. Even ditched the family on Xmas day to sail in the pm. Sean Paterson -

Exemplary Thanks a million for all your help and the whole super-fast building and delivery...your service is truly exemplary!!! Pascal - Singapore

Super light conditions We had real shifty and super light conditions (some gusts only at around 7 to 8 knots rest below)...even with this, my 9 year old son could get the boat to fly a few times consistently over some distance...he has only sailed Opti’s, Bytes and helmed our big boats up to now... so a real testimony how easy this boat is to sail. He weighs 36kg...As for me (around 75kg) I also got the boat up on the foils a few times...twice some distance...we used the cruiser foil and the small sail. So again a real testimony how easy the boat is to get it to fly, even more so given the fact that I think I had no more than 15 mins in total out of two afternoons as I could not get my son off the boat. Pascal - Singapore

Without coaching I had 2 excellent sailing days over the weekend, getting progressively more confident with the boat. No problems getting foiling in 10+ knots of wind, and can make progress upwind and downwind on foils. There are many crashes, but it's all part of the fun. The boat has been rock solid, so I'd say you guys have created exactly what you intended. I have no previous foiling experience, and have been sailing the Waszp entirely on my own without coaching, so the basic setup from the factory must be spot on. Jim Muir -

Now the fun begins Just a quick note to let you know delivery of WASZP was very efficient & on time. An excellent transport company. Well done all round. Now the fun begins! John Morton -

Exceeded my expectations The Waszp came just over two weeks ago. I've sailed it 7 times. EPIC is a good word to describe the sailing!!! Foiled every time but the first two sails involved lots of swimming of course. No problem foiling all the way across the lake now. Foiling gybes will take awhile but wow, so much fun!!! Everything about the boat is so solid. Thanks for taking the time to make it right. It's incredible and has totally exceeded my expectations with zero issues. Mike Dow - USA

Great experience Thank you for the support. You have been amazing. I never thought I would buy a boat over the internet but it has been a great experience. Robert Palter - Toronto

Foiling in the first 5 mins Went for the first sail last Wednesday, and it was amazing – super impressed. Putting the boat together I was concerned that it was going to be tricky to get stable flight with the wand screw control, main ride height control on the main foil, and the rudder control. Conditions were very gusty 4-12 knots... but was foiling in the first 5 mins, and super stable on the ride height. So well done!! No water in the boat after lots of capzises – impressive! Jon Bilger - New Zealand

Select your location:

• ACCESSIBILITY
• AFFORDABILITY

To win a special edition WASZP 1000

Enter now at racehub.waszp.com.

We accept all popular payment methods:

- 2023 NSW and Australian Champion design

This Swift is a joint venture between Damic Design and our building partners to create what we believe is the fastest and best built International Moth on the market.

We have neatly 20 years of experience in the class which has helped immensely with the design and development of the platform. The end result is a boat that is easy to sail, looks great and most importantly wins races straight out of the box.

Please click on the link below for more information and pricing or to lock in your build slot.

The Concept

The Swift Moth has been designed with one main objective in mind, which is to be the fastest production Moth on the market!

This required a no compromise approach, so we have used the best available materials and manufacturing processed to achieve what we believe is the most thorough though Moth design to date. We settled on the final concept from over 55 different sub-variants to make sure the finished product is as close to perfection as we can get. The boat is also made in small batches that guarantee outstanding quality and finish that is simply not possible on a mass-produced build.

We focused on three key areas of improvement.

1.       Minimise aero drag

2.       Reduce overall weight

3.       Improve usability and ease of manoeuvres such as foil tacking.

We also wanted to make sailing more enjoyable though systems that work and excellent ergonomics. We made the platform fully dismantlable so that the whole boat can be packed in a box for low cost of transport to and from regattas. And lastly, we made the boat easy to live with so things like wing assembly, control lines take-ups and general maintenance are super easy and accessible.

When you buy the Swift Moth, you are not only buying speed and quality but access to advice and ongoing support from the Moth sailor and designer with nearly 20 years of class experience.

The hull shape has been primarily optimised for aero gains as we spend so little time in displacement mode. Though CFD and on water testing, our final shape ensures that the overall drag is very low. This is achieved by maximising attached flow not only top sides but also underside of the hull. Something that is particularly important in upwind sailing mode. We also tried to ensure that the airflow is accelerated over the forward section of the foredeck feeding clean air straight into the sail decksweeper. Hull volume has also been kept to an absolute minimum, but we raised the mid-section to help keep the front bars clear of the water for take-off in large waves but also to increase the effective aspect ratio of the sail and the hull. The Hull is made from carbon/foam sandwich construction with increased number of frames to ensure high stiffness at very low weight. The shell is available in any colour with striking clear carbon top sides.

The wing entire frame is a carefully engineered structure that is very light, stiff and aero. It also dismantles with just 4 bolts! The tubes are made from pressure moulded pre-pre carbon fibre with High Modulus used in the structure of the transverse bars. Solid trampolines then attach to the frame to make a super smooth transition to ensure attached flow over the entire structure. The trampolines also feature concealed rope take up channels and most importantly the overall concave shape helps reduce the mid-wing height making the trampolines feel less steep. This makes for easier boat handling, but while maintaining the advantage of a powerful platform though a high wing frame.

Control System and bowsprit

The Swift control system is based on one theory. The less linkages, the less slop! So, for this reason, our foil control tubes have the bare minimum of moving parts and linkages. And the ones that are there, have all been designed to eliminate slop. This all means you get more control and speed while sailing. The main carbon control tube sits on the deck floor and features what is now class standard gearing and bias adjusters. The bowsprit itself is a lightweight carbon tube with moulded end fitting that houses a titanium wand head for precision and weight reduction. The wand top tube itself is a custom carbon aerofoil section with adjustable wand inside.

Removable Foredeck

We paid a lot of attention to making the boat look clean so all the messy stuff like control system and rope take-ups are all hidden under the removable clear carbon deck fairing. When removed this fairing allowed easy access to everything that would might want to change. An access hatch above the mainfoil allows for connection of the pushrods, so the deck fairing only needs to be removed for maintenance purposes. We also extended this fairing a long way aft so that sail endplates on it removing the need for any additional fairings. The deck fairing is available to suit either 1050, 1150 or 1250DS sails.

Aero Wing Fairings

These components are optional extras, however we consider them as essential upgrades to the aero package. The wing fairings in particular are easily removable carbon mouldings that Velcro down and cover most of the trampoline control lines. They help guide the airflow over this usually messy area and reduce the overall drag quite significantly.

Toe-Strap Mouldings

This is another upgrade item that is designed to reduce the drag associated with traditional toe-strap mounts. Our carbon moulded alternatives are not only very aero but also allow for easy removal of the toe-strap though a single titanium bolt.

The gantry has been a big focus area as we consider it quite critical to improving take off performance. Our design not only offers low drag characteristics, but also water drainage at foiling speeds ensuring that boat is as light as possible in take-off mode. The gantry is constructed from carbon foam sandwich with internal framing that makes it super stiff yet very light.

The hydrofoil package comprises of our proven and race winning Swift range. The verticals we use are ultra-thin and short in cord while the horizontal range now consists of 5 foils. Three main horizontals and two rudder horizontals. All foils are a result of ongoing development since 2012 with a clear aim to push limits of design and materials in order to maximise performance well into the future.

VIDEO: Meet the Moth, the fastest solo sailing dinghy in the world

The International Moth sailing class reaches speeds of over 30 knots and spectacular drone footage of sailor Paul Farien ‘mothing’ on Lake Garda has set the internet alight this week.

From Superinnovators 19/06/24.

According to the International Moth Class Association, the Moth is the fastest single-handed sailing dingy in the world, with a top speed record of 31.1 knots, achieved in 2011.

And incredible drone footage of Germany’s Youth America’s Cup team lead, Paul Farien, skipping across Lake Garda in the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, has clocked up millions of views online this week.

One TikTok user commented: “Bro is sailing on a pringle,” in reference to the eponymous curved wing deck used to lean on when tacking.

The class first emerged in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until enthusiasts started adding hydrofoils to their home-built moths in the 2000s that things began to take off.

The hydrofoil consists of a set of small underwater wings, front and back, that lift the entire hull out of the water, reducing drag, and boosting speed and agility.

Although some still build their own moths, several commercially manufactured boats are also available.

They’re serious bits of kit, with the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, retailing at £26,095 (approx. $33,218).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Farien (@paul_farien)

The next Internation Moth event sure to feature more eXploder mD3s among other models is Foiling Week, hosted by FV Malcesine sailing club on Lake Garda, Italy, 24-30th June.

Thanks to Paul Farien and Patrick Lombardi (drone) for highlighting the Moth to us and we wish Paul all the best in the Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Barcelona, 17th Sept – 13th Oct.

https://ovingtonboats.com/int-moth

http://www.internationalmoth.co.uk/

http://www.moth-sailing.org/

You may also be curious about:

A new forecasting model for Japan’s cherry blossom

Lavaforming: Using lava to build cities

Magnifying deep space through the “carousel lens”

Self-amputating bot

Aston University develops novel bone cancer therapy which has 99% success rate

‘Scuba-diving’ lizards use bubble to breathe underwater and avoid predators

ADHD headband aims to boost focus via 20 mins use per day

Research shows finger counting may help improve math skills in kindergarten

Zebrafish “taste” oxygen: A breakthrough in respiratory biology

Illuminated platform system shows you which carriages have more space

Personal gritter attachment stops trucks sliding in the snow

New nanomaterial could transform how we visualise fingerprints

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Receive the latest innovation, emerging tech, research, science and engineering news from Superinnovators

©   Superinnovators

Published on February 8th, 2024 | by Editor

Swarm grows with one-design foiler

Published on February 8th, 2024 by Editor -->

It is curious how the 11-foot foiling Moth continues to draw 100+ boats to its World Championships. For certain, it is a groundbreaking Class which attracts the stars of the sport. But as a development class in which new boats are well north of $20k, and new designs continue to be better than old, might the fun not be fun after a while?

That has happened in North America as interest turns to the more manageable WASZP Class . Launched in 2016, this strict one-design foiler was created to mimic the Moth without all the pricey and high maintenance features. While marginally slower, one could squint their eyes and it’s all the same at half the cost for a boat that works today and tomorrow.

The WASZP Class also chose not to apply to be a World Sailing Class, which comes with loads of expense and regulation for the right to have a WASZP World Championship. Rather, the Class hosts its annual WASZP Games, and without the World Sailing restrictions, can provide various formats to annually determine the best WASZP sailor in the World.

The 2024 Games , to be held August 5-10 in Norway, has already shattered expectations, with all 150 original slots snapped up within a mere 48 hours of entries opening. In response to high demand, an additional 30 slots were opened to bring the total entry list to a staggering 180 boats.

“The exponential growth of the class globally is truly remarkable,” noted Marc Ablett, WASZP General Manager. “The overwhelming response to the 2024 event has been incredible as we could have easily seen 220+ at this event.

“The possibility of a stand-alone WASZP_X Youth Games (Worlds) and the increasing number of women participants (40 for Norway) reflect the growth of the WASZP community, within our key pillars.

“We are also seeing outstanding growth in North America and are heading towards a record fleet in the Americas Championships, setting the stage for the International WASZP Games in North America in 2026.”

Tyler Bjorn, NA WASZP Business Development Manager, has been instrumental in fostering the growth in North America, tackling the unique challenges associated with the vast geographic spread of the region. The 2024 MASZP Americas Championship is expected to draw over 30 entries, with hopes to exceed 40 for the racing on March 23-31 at Kaneohe Yacht Club on Oahu, Hawaii.

Tags: International WASZP Games , WASZP , WASZP Americas Championship

Related Posts

Dane dominates WASZP Class in Oʻahu →

Waszp US National Championship →

Finalists set for SailGP youth champs →

PHOTOS: 2022 WASZP North Americans →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.