In 2005, the Hydroptère crossed the English Channel faster than Blériot did in his airplane. In 2007, the craft even set the absolute speed record for sailing. This performance was even improved in 2009, with an average speed of 51.36 knots and a top speed of 55.5 knots. The flying trimaran became the first sailboat to break the mythical 50-knot barrier.
In 2012, Alain Thébault decided to head to the US and attempt the Transpac record between Los Angeles and Honolulu. This attempt, which began in 2015, ended in disaster. The multihull ended up abandoned in a marina in Hawaii. Looted and on the verge of heading for the scrapyard, the Hydroptère was bought at auction by a Frenchman who loved this unique multihull, Gabriel Terrasse, and an American partner, Chris Welsh.
Thus began an incredible journey back to France. Brought back via sea to San Francisco, the Hydroptère was dismantled and transported by truck to the port of Mobile, Alabama, to be loaded onto an Airbus cargo ship that brought the multihull back to Nantes, France. The Hydroptère is now in a shipyard that’s been made available by SECO Marine (of the FETIS Group) on the banks of the Loire, where it is being renovated by a small team of enthusiasts. The project is supported by the “Des Voiles et des Ailes” association and a number of companies – why not you?
As a French national heritage sailing vessel that was never destined to disappear or end up in a museum, the Hydroptère is set to be relaunched this coming fall. The large multihull will serve as a research platform, and for future operations in the public interest, but you can already book your place to come and fly aboard!
Antoine Le Seguillon and Emmanuel van Deth
