August's issue of
Soundings magazine features a 42-foot
hydrofoil yacht.
It's a power-catamaran with one large stainless-steel foil amidships, and paired bronze foils aft. No part of the foil exceeds the draft of the main hull. (Which is 3-feet at rest, and just inches at top speed). Of course, wave action is dampened by the hydrofoils.
They claim 40% better efficiency with twin diesel inboard engines. (And a 44-MPH top speed --
perfect, huh? -- no more "mush-boating"). It's called the
Stealth 420
More than you wanted to know about their huge hydrofoil model selections at
http://www.hydrospeed.co.za/index2.html
They even make a
hydro-foiled RIB.
If "all" you want to buy is a
sailing catamaran, they will do a free
shakedown cruise and sail it to your door -- from Cape Town, South Africa!