Launched eight years after its predecessor, Gitana 18 embodies a major technical evolution in ocean-going trimaran design. More than just an improvement, it's a reinvention, designed for full flight and high performance. Read on for details of the technological choices that set this giant apart from the rest.
Variable-geometry appendages for controlled flight
With its three-axis adjustable Y-shaped foils under the floats, Gitana 18 is directly inspired by the America's Cup AC75s, but on a 32-meter unit. Each foil has a wing span of more than 5 meters, providing extra lift while adapting the settings to suit the boat's point of sail and sea state. This modularity is one of the key elements in the quest for high-speed stability.
Rudders and centreboard designed to withstand cavitation
The trimaran incorporates three U-shaped rudders, designed to limit cavitation phenomena, frequent above 35 knots. The central daggerboard, with its large-scale bearing surface, is another departure from previous solutions. The aim of this design breakthrough is to maintain stable flight even in heavy seas. According to simulation projections, Gitana 18 could average 40 knots in three-meter waves.
A redesigned monocoque structure for cockpit integration
Unlike Gitana 17, the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild integrates the cockpit and deckhouse into the very structure of the central hull. The objective is clear: to increase rigidity, limit parasitic movements and offer greater protection. This structural choice, coupled with the use of autoclave-cured materials, ensures a more compact, torsion-resistant platform.
Dynamically adjustable rigging: new options
Another visible innovation is the movable spreaders. By allowing the rigging tension to be adjusted while sailing, the crew can modulate the mainsail's power according to the phase of flight. This system, unprecedented on a multihull of this scale, opens up new possibilities for pure performance tuning.
Mechatronic systems inspired by aeronautics
Gitana 18 is fitted with forty-four hydraulic cylinders, miles of wiring and an electronic control unit dedicated to flight management. The level of engineering is more reminiscent of a Formula 1 prototype or a space drone than a sailing yacht. This complexity implies a level of maintenance and onboard assistance never before seen on a racing multihull.
A development platform for the open sea
Gitana 18 is not a production boat, but rather a technological demonstrator. Its design, the fruit of 36 months' work, mobilizes more than 200 experts. With 200,000 hours of construction, the project boasts a clear ambition: to achieve stable, fast and controlled flight on all the world's seas. For the Gitana Team, this trimaran is as much a racing machine as a floating laboratory.