{{short description|Class of catamaran}} {{Infobox sailboat specifications | name = F50 | insignia = | insignia size = | insignia alt = | insignia caption = | line drawing = F50 Catamaran.png | line size = | line alt = | line caption = A line drawing of the F50 with its standard twenty-four metre wingsail. | image boat = SAILGP American and Japanese Teams.jpg | image size = | image alt = | image caption = The American and Japanese SailGP F50s racing in [[New York Harbor]] at the New York Sail Grand Prix during the [[2019 SailGP championship]]. | designer = | architect = | location = | year = 2019 | no built = 14 | design = Development, one-design | class = | brand = | builder = Core Builders Composites | role = | boats = | crew = 6, weight limit {{convert|438|kg|abbr=on}} | trapeze = | draft = | air draft = | displacement = <!--{{convert||kg|lb|abbr=on}}--> | hulls = | hull type = Foiling catamaran | construction = | loa = {{convert|15|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | loh = <!--{{convert||m|ft|abbr=on}}--> | lwl = | beam = {{convert|8.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | hull draft = | hull weight = | engine = | appendages = | keel type = | ballast = | rudder type = | rigs = | rig type = Wing and jib | I = | J = | P = | E = | mast length = {{convert|18|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|24|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|29|m|abbr=on}} | rig other = | sails = | sailplan = | sailarea main = <!--{{convert||m2|sqft|abbr=on}}--> | sailarea headsail = | lp = | sailarea spin = | sailarea gen = | sails other = | sailarea upwind = | sailarea downwind = | sailarea total = | rating = | d-pn = | rya-pn = | phrf = | status = world sailing | previous = [[AC50]] | successor = }}
The '''F50''' is a [[one-design]] [[hydrofoil|foiling]] [[catamaran]] used in the [[SailGP]] race series. The name is an abbreviation of "Foiling" and "a hull length of 50 feet".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fretter |first1=Helen |title=The $1million match race: Ellison and Coutts unveil SailGP circuit for 50ft foiling catamarans Fretter Helen |url=https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/the-1million-match-race-ellison-and-coutts-unveil-sailgp-circuit-for-50ft-foiling-catamarans-116360 |magazine=Yachting World |publisher=Future plc |access-date=18 November 2023 |date=4 October 2018}}</ref> The F50s are adapted from the [[AC50|AC50s]] used in the [[America's Cup]], with modifications including new control systems and modular wingsails.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|date=2019-08-20|title=SailGP F50: On board the sailing equivalent of a Formula 1 racecar|url=https://www.yachtingworld.com/extraordinary-boats/sailgp-f50-board-sailing-equivalent-formula-1-racecar-122851|access-date=2021-05-30|magazine=Yachting World|language=en-US}}</ref>
The F50s are one of the fastest racing classes in history;<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=SailGP Explained // The F50|url=https://sailgp.com/general/sailgp-f50/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> the current F50 speed record, achieved by [[Rockwool International|Rockwool]] Denmark SailGP Team at the [[2024–25_SailGP_championship#Round_8:_Sassnitz|Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz]] in 2025, stands at 56.1 knots (103.93 km/h, 64.58 mph).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ROCKWOOL Racing smashes SailGP speed record; becomes fastest team in history |url=https://sailgp.com/news/25/rockwool-racing-smashes-sailgp-speed-record-becomes-fatest-team-in-history |date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=SailGP}}</ref>
Three AC50s from the [[2017 America's Cup]] were converted to comply with the F50 one-design rule to create the new [[SailGP]] fleet racing circuit.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2018-10-17|title=SailGP F50 v America's Cup AC50 catamarans|url=https://yachtracing.life/sailgp-f50-v-americas-cup-ac50-catamarans/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=Yacht Racing Life|language=en-GB}}</ref> Three more boats were built from scratch by Core Builders Composites to create an initial fleet of six boats crewed by teams from the United States, Australia, France, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|last=New|first=G. J.|title=Building the New SailGP F50|date=16 January 2019 |url=https://www.sailweb.co.uk/2019/01/16/building-the-new-sailgp-f50/|access-date=2021-05-30|language=en-GB}}</ref> For the [[2021-22 SailGP championship#Sydney Sail Grand Prix|2020 SailGP championship]], the Spain SailGP team used the F50 of the China SailGP team after their departure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SailGP|url=https://sailgp.com/news/sailgp-lineup-to-shift-for-season-2/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> A seventh F50 was commissioned for the Denmark SailGP team, which also joined for the 2020 SailGP championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SailGP announces Denmark SailGP Team presented by ROCKWOOL to join world-class lineup for Season 2|url=https://sailgp.com/news/sailgp-announces-denmark-sailgp-team/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> In the fourth season the fleet grew to 10 boats, with two more expected for the fifth season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolle |first=Lars |title=Profisegeln: Wird der SailGP die neue Formel 1? |url=https://www.yacht.de/regattasailgp/profisegeln-wird-der-sailgp-die-neue-formel-1/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=YACHT - Alles rund ums Segeln |language=de}}</ref>
== Specifications == The F50s use a two-element [[wingsail]] and [[jib]] for propulsion. One removable section in the wing can be used to achieve mast heights of {{convert|18|m|ft|abbr=on}}, {{convert|24|m|ft|abbr=on}} or {{convert|29|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite web|title=All about SailGP's new adjustable F50 wing|url=https://sailgp.com/news/sailgp-new-adjustable-f50-wing/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> the largest being introduced in [[2021–22 SailGP championship|Season 2]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The sport's best athletes go head-to-head as SailGP kicks off {{!}} www.pressmare.it|url=https://www.pressmare.it/en/regattas/sail-gp/2021-04-24/the-sport-best-athletes-go-head-to-head-as-sailgp-kicks-off-31225|access-date=2021-05-30|website=pressmare.it}}</ref> This, as well as interchangeable daggerboards and rudders, allows for optimized performance in different wind conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sailgp.com/news/24/beginners-guide-f50-foiling-catamaran |title=The Beginner’s Guide to the F50 |website=SailGP |date=2024-12-18 |access-date=2025-03-23 |language=en}}</ref> Originally equipped with 'L' Foils, the design swapped to 'T' Foils at the beginning of [[2024–25 SailGP championship|2025]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sailgp.com/news/25/high-speed-t-foils-introduced-sailgp-fleet-auckland |title=‘A baptism by fire:’ SailGP introduces high-speed titanium ‘T-Foils’ fleetwide in Auckland |website=SailGP |date=2025-01-13 |access-date=2025-03-23 |language=en}}</ref> In SailGP regattas, the mast height, jib and equipment are selected in competitions by the Tech Team Operations Manager, following a consultation with the Regatta Director and representatives from each team.<ref name=":1" />
Apart from the wingsheet, which is powered by two [[Grinder (sailing position)|grinders]], all trimming is hydraulically actuated, powered by electric motors and lithium-ion batteries.<ref name=":0" /> This includes active pitch control of all appendages, [[daggerboard]] lifting/lowering, and the jibsheet. The reduction of one grinding position on board therefore allows the F50s to sail with just five crew. The geometry of the F50's daggerboards have been extended outside the maximum beam of the boat to provide more righting moment.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{citation|title=The supercharged F50s|date=2018-10-03|url=https://sailgp.com/news/f50-supercharged|publisher=SAILGP}}</ref>
The F50s comprise a [[One-Design#Sailing|one-design]] development class. However, unlike most one-design sail classes with fixed rules, the F50s are being constantly developed with changes implemented on all boats at the same time. This prevents technological arms races, while allowing performance improvements.<ref name="armsrace">{{citation|title=F50 arms race|date=2019-05-01|url=https://sailgp.com/news/skills-arms-race/|publisher=SAILGP}}</ref>
== Crew == The F50s have a crew of six, consisting of a [[helmsman]], wing trimmer, flight controller, two grinders and a strategist.<ref>{{cite web |title=World's Most Advanced Hydrofoil Boats Fly Above Water |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8eq8hoUhBE |website=YouTube | date=6 May 2022 |publisher=CNET |access-date=2023-05-19}}</ref> The flight controller controls the F50 using a double twist-grip device, which enables more accurate adjustment of the rake of the daggerboard. This relieves the helmsman, who previously flew the boat using twist-grips on the wheel, of flight control duties - allowing them to focus on tactics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Back to flight school|url=https://sailgp.com/news/flight-school/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the F50s have active control of the rudder pitch; crews are no longer required to set and lock off the rudder pitch before the start of each race, as was the case with the AC50s in the 2017 America's Cup.<ref name=":2" /> While racing, crews stay in the windward hull.
== F50s in culture == F50s were featured in Christopher Nolan's ''[[Tenet]]'' (2020). The scene featuring them was filmed in August 2019, following the [[2019 SailGP championship|2019 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix]] in [[Cowes]]. The F50s belonging to the Japan and United States SailGP teams were used, with each being rebranded and painted white and blue respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SailGP makes its Hollywood debut|url=https://sailgp.com/news/sailgp-makes-its-hollywood-debut/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref> [[Rome Kirby]] and [[Tom Slingsby]] were two of the athletes involved in the filming of the scene.<ref>{{Cite web|title=On the set of Tenet|url=https://sailgp.com/news/on-the-set-of-tenet/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=SailGP|language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|F50}} {{SailGP}} [[Category:Catamarans]] [[Category:Hydrofoils]] [[Category:SailGP]]