This discussion is in response to Nol's comments in the Folding system discussion, which I quote here in order to keep this thread complete:

"The rudders are another detail that needs to be developed. We are working on hydraulic control for the Blind Date rudders now. I see that as a first step in the direction of foiling rudders. The HarryProa concept is more suitable for foiling than any other sailing boat concept. 

In mu opinion foiling is the future. Not 100% foiling, like we have seen in the America's cup. That is only feasible for extremely light and vulnerable boats: 'the foiling few'. A foil can make any reasonably light and slim hull faster and more comfortable, even when that hull is partly in the water. 

There is a lot of engineering work to be done in finding smart hull-foil combinations, that work well in al sorts of circumstances: up wind, down wind, strong wind, light wind, high waves, low waves….

So let's not waist too much time discussing details. Money is the key. We need people who are willing to invest in prototypes! I am talking about systematic research to find the perfect leeward hull - foil (=rudder) combinations for Atlantic proa's from small (5 meter) to large (20 meter)."

There'll be a lot more info published fairly soon, but in response to Nol's comments I'll outline my plans briefly.  I'm commencing building a 16.8m high performance cruising proa.  The leeward hull has been engineered using finite element methods to enable foiling on two foils placed at the extreme ends of this hull.  It may well be that I'll have to consider hydraulic steering, but the principal goal is to get the craft foiling on three foils - one under the windward hull and the two leeward foils.

With a fractured bone in my left hand, boat building is on hold while I research foil configurations.

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