Trend sport foiling: Motte, Waszp, Wingfoil & Co. - take off for little money
Not everyone in search of sporty high-speed sailing is prepared to spend over 45,000 euros on a foiling moth. The 3.35 metre long and up to 35 knots fast carbon projectiles are regarded as long-standing pioneers in the foiling sector. However, the construction class does not appeal to everyone interested in flying, as it involves enormous material and time expenditure and is subject to constant development. We show you how you can get into the class at the lowest possible cost and what alternatives there are for flying cheaply.
Foilers under 30,000 euros
Do-it-yourself moth
Today's flying butterflies have their origins as a pure DIY and hobbyist class, but DIY moths have become increasingly rare in recent years. Because it's hardly worth it. The prices for new production boats are high, but not arbitrarily so. The filigree dinghies incorporate a great deal of modern technology, always with the aim of being robust and yet as light as possible in the smallest of spaces.
At the latest when you factor in your own labour hours, a self-build is hardly justifiable from a financial point of view, explains self-builder Merlin Moser. The first generation of foilers in particular, which he built together with a friend, also had major problems. "The first boats were really bad," he admits. A lot was built using hand drawings and templates. "I had never used CAD before, so it was more of a product of chance." Towards the end of the construction process, the two self-builders from Lake Ratzeburg therefore decided to build a second boat straight away.
Only the third generation of the series was to sail successfully in regattas a few years later. However, this was not worth it in terms of price. Although Moser and his friend Mathis Menke were pioneers in realising their own ideas and findings at the time of construction, these were soon to be seen on the production boats of the well-known Motten shipyards. Even in good condition, these boats are now traded on the used boat market for less than the production costs of Moser's self-built boat.
Switch One Design
Only recently, after the well-known Waszp has unveiled another foiling One Design in the Moth style. With a ready-to-sail base price of 22,215 euros, the boat from Element 6 can hardly be described as really cheap. However, the Switch One Design also wants to keep up with current Moths and uses more expensive materials and the necessary manufacturing techniques to do so.
Gerys 4.7
There are now also some foilers on the market in the two-man sector. With their Gerys 4.7, for example, two brothers from Brittany want to make hydrofoil sailing accessible to a wide audience. The two inventors' idea: to build a small and simple boat that all sailors can handle quickly and easily, regardless of age or ability. The boat from France works both with and without hydrofoils and can also be sailed single-handed. The new price is 27,370 ready to sail.
Birdyfish
The Birdyfish, which also comes from France and is listed at the German dealer Ziegelmayer for just under 25,000 euros, is also aimed at foiling beginners. The self-adjusting J-foils make it easy for any recreational sailor to get started. The speed potential of the 4.70-long dinghy is by no means in the range of a moth, but speeds of over 20 knots should be possible without any problems.
Foilers under 20,000 euros
Waszp
When it comes to moth alternatives, the Waszp immediately springs to mind for many in this price category. This is no coincidence, as the manufacturers set themselves the task in 2015 of bringing the concept of the construction class into a simplified and more affordable One Design. The structure of the class has been a success, but the Moths are clearly ahead in terms of performance thanks to further developments within the framework of the open rules. However, if you are looking for a good introduction to foiling with strong one-design racing boards, this is the best address in this list. However, with a new price of 15,500 euros at Ziegelmayer, the Moth descendant still has a proud price tag. Used boats are available on the market for around 10,000 euros.
Foiling Dinghy
Just sit on it and sail away - this is not possible with some of the monohull foils mentioned here. With their extremely narrow waterlines, Moth or Waszp are real torture devices as long as they don't fly, and the displacement mode is exhausting to sail. This makes it difficult for many beginners to keep going until they experience success. The foiling dinghy, on the other hand, is initially a completely normal dinghy that can be sailed by anyone who can cope with a Laser or a Europe, an OK or Finn dinghy.
Two L-foils, each mounted at an angle on the sides of the hull, cut through the water, a technique that became known in principle with the mega-catamaran "Hydroptére". These foils simultaneously act laterally against drift and generate buoyancy. They influence each other in a complicated interplay of physical laws, resulting in a stable flight attitude. The height control is self-regulating. The foiling dinghy is therefore very beginner-friendly, but does not come close to the foil feeling and speed of a moth at high altitudes and has not been able to establish itself on the market. New, the flying dinghy cost around €14,000 ready to sail when it entered the market in 2018; the few used boats on the market are usually in a similar price segment and rarely under €10,000.
Foilers under 10,000 euros
Moth refit
The second-hand Moth market is always full of exciting offers, especially for beginners. Even without regatta ambitions, you can have plenty of flying fun for less than 8,000 euros. Especially if you are prepared to do it yourself, you can also achieve a lot on the regatta course with a low budget. "Refitting an existing moth is probably the best option at the moment to get a fast, high-quality boat relatively cheaply and with minimal effort," confirms Moser. Despite its reputation to the contrary, the best-known aircraft in this overview is also one of the cheapest, although the enormous price range to the top models must be taken into account. YACHT editor Max Gasser dared to try it out for himself and in a article provides insights into the purchase and refit process.
Skeeta
The Skjeeta, developed in collaboration with Quant boss Michael Aeppli, was designed to be beginner-friendly but offer significantly better foiling performance than the Foiling Dinghy, for example. The proven lift system of the Motte was used, but with decisive modifications. In the fuselage concept, the scow bow, which also dates back to the origins of the Motte's development, is experiencing a renaissance. The main difference to the Motth is the main foil and its adjustment mechanism. Whereas T-foils, whether Motth or catamarans equipped with them such as iFly or Whisper, previously relied on a trim tab on the trailing edge of the foil, the entire foil works with the Skeeta. The entire foil mechanism, including the rudder and the rig, has also recently been redesigned, which should make the current version of the Skeeta more balanced to sail. This new foiler is priced at around 16,000 euros, while used versions are also available for less than 10,000 euros. There is now also a smaller version called Nikki, which has been specially developed for young people and lightweight adults and is even more attractively priced.
Foiling UFO
The one-man catamaran UFO came onto the market at an impressively low price. With a current new price of €10,500, the design by Fulcrum Speedworks from the USA still seems unbeatable. The small foiler is said to take off from 8 knots of wind speed and is also easy to handle for beginners, particularly due to its existence as a multihull. Used boats are hard to come by due to their limited availability, but are priced well under 10,000 euros. The iFly 15 is another catamaran that can also be sailed alone. However, this is currently priced at 29,980 euros when new. Used A-Cats, for example, which are also sailed in regattas, are also available for significantly less money.
Foilers under 5,000 euros
Wingfoiling
If you really want to take off cheaply and easily, you inevitably have to look beyond the confines of sailing. Wingfoiling in particular has become a trend among sailors in recent years. It combines elements of windsurfing and kitesurfing by using a type of "swing wing" in conjunction with a hydrofoil board. For beginners, robust and inexpensive kits are available new or used from around €1,500, making wingfoiling an accessible option for sailing enthusiasts. In addition, the learning curve is relatively steep and many sailors can achieve their first successes on the water after just a few training sessions. The space-saving equipment can also be taken on board on longer sailing trips. More about Wingsurfing and surfing in general can be found at our Sister magazine SURF.
Kitefoiling
Kitefoiling offers another dynamic and adrenaline-fuelled alternative, but it also represents a higher entry hurdle in terms of the skills and equipment required. Beginners can expect to pay around €1,500 for basic equipment.
Windsurf foiling
Another interesting option is windsurfing with a foil, which offers sailors a close relationship to their original sport. The costs for a beginner's set are similar to those for wing and kite foiling, but there are hardly any upper limits. The basic techniques of windsurfing help you get started and can be transferred to foiling relatively quickly.
Pump foiling
Even without any wind at all, for example when sailing on a calm day, sailors can venture into the air. Pump foiling is particularly interesting for those looking for an intense physical activity. The athlete generates buoyancy through rhythmic movements on the board in order to glide over the water. This form of foiling is an excellent way to train strength and coordination, but it can be very challenging for absolute beginners. Depending on the equipment, the entry-level costs are around 1,000 to 1,800 euros.
SUP foiling
SUP foiling adds the element of foiling to traditional stand-up paddleboarding, especially in waves and on open water. Foil SUPs are more expensive than normal SUP boards and start at around €1,200. SUP foiling is particularly appealing to those who already have experience in traditional SUP and are looking for new water sports experiences.
E-Foiling
E-foiling is the right choice for anyone who wants to spend a fun day out sailing without any major sporting activities. It requires minimal physical effort, as an electric motor drives the board. However, e-foiling is far more expensive than the alternatives mentioned above. Prices can quickly reach 5,000 euros and more. However, it is always cheaper than classic sailing on hydrofoils.
