IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE? NO, IT’S SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST FOILING KEELBOAT
While many twiddled their thumbs at home during Covid lockdown, a team of boat builders made history in Cape Town — by creating South Africa’s first foiling keelboat. The eye-catching yacht can already reach a speed of 32 knots, and could reach up to 40 knots according to builder and co-owner Tony Norris who led the build project at a Paarden Island facility.
In so doing Tony and his partner Tina Plattner have put South Africa on the keelboat foiling map, with the intention of inspiring more innovation in the foiling space.
The Project team adapted the hull of a Cape 31 to turn design into reality. They drew inspiration partly from innovation in the America’s Cup. The foiling keelboat has already generated excited social media activity, with a whole lot more likely to follow.