Eye-catching design: single-handed dinghy Lowrider L12
Two years ago, the Potsdam-based high-tech sailing company Advanced Sailing Technologies (AST) launched a revolutionary dinghy. The Foiling Dinghy can fly using two self-regulating hydrofoils (test download and video see below). Managing Director Thilo Keller describes his concept as "Foiling for everyone". The dinghy has just been named Dinghy of the Year 2020 by the British magazines "Sailing Today" and "Yachts & Yachting".
But although hydrofoil sailing is experiencing a real boom, as has just happened in the Vendée Globe and at the America’s Cup from December 17, 2020, many sailors are apparently not quite comfortable with this type of locomotion.
"We had increased inquiries from customers who liked the boat, but who sail more conventionally or who want to deepen their sailing skills before they dare to fly," says Keller.
The foiling dinghy was then stripped of its wings, got a sword case with a sword and the name Lowrider L12.
The translation "low flyer" does not refer to any kind of foiling, but to the attainable speed and a special wave behavior.
The hull shapes of the Foiling Dinghy and Lowrider are identical, as is the construction in GRP sandwich with carbon reinforcements. The frame shape of the bow section is particularly striking, which is even more important on the lowrider than on the foiling dinghy. The front third of the dinghy is designed as a so-called wavepiercer; it sails through waves rather than over them. The name low-flying aircraft refers to this sailing behavior.