a class catamaran dna

Ultra-modern

Lighter = better, craftsmanship, current range of foiling boats dna performance sailing, the boat building division of holland composites.

The feeling of foiling in our foiling multihull sailboats is similar to the feeling of taking off in a small airplane. Experienced is believing.

The designs of our boats, regardless of size, have a number of features in common. A beautiful design that makes you look back when you leave the harbour or the beach. Lightweight constructions with the right stiffness, for optimal manoeuvrability and top performances. Together with the installation of high quality components from leading maritime suppliers, we offer the perfect total package for the foiling sailor.

We build your new foiling boat!

F1x international a-class foiling catamaran.

This is the ultimate singlehanded foiling catamaran of this moment: ultramodern, incredibly fast, very responsive, extremely strong and feather-light, in an aerodynamic and ergonomic design. The perfect total package, packed in 1 foiling catamaran. This is the world’s coolest boat for singlehanded races and the winner of several A-cat world championships and many other regattas.

The 2020-F1x A-cat is exactly the same foiling catamaran that made Mischa Heemskerk Vice-World Champion at the Herveybay Worlds 2018 in Australia and World Champion at Weymouth 2019. All our foiling F1x A-class catamarans come directly, race-ready and ‘Mischa-tuned’ from our factory.

TF10 FOILING TRIMARAN

The TF10 foiling trimaran is a sensational and very pleasant sailing trimaran, which represents the new generation of foiling multihull boats. The design of the TF10 is highly thought out by Morrelli & Melvin and is combined with all the positive features and characteristics of previous generations of foiling multihulls. All these elements together provide a perfect sailing foiling trimaran for every ambitious sailor.

The TF10 is a one-design foiling multihull sailboat, with a passionate group of owners and a TF10 sailing class organization. This ensures that the boats remain competitive, without the need for expensive modifications.

DESIGN FROM THE PAST: G4 FOILING CATAMARAN

The G4 foiling catamaran was a product of DNA Performance Sailing. This great foiling multihull will no longer be manufactured by us.

Every G4 foiling catamaran multihull yacht is handmade in our own factory in Lelystad, the Netherlands. A passionate team of craftsmen made these boats according to the individual wishes and requirements of the customer. With its extraordinary lines and performance, the G4 sailed its own course and did not compete with other sailing yachts. Light as a feather and very powerful, the G4 delivered the ultimate sailing performance with a pleasant touch of adrenaline.

There are two remaining G4 foiling catamarans sailing the world’s seas. Want to read more about this boat from the past? Then click on the specs!

DESIGN FROM THE PAST: F4 FOILING CATAMARAN

The F4 foiling catamaran was a product of DNA Performance Sailing. This foiling multihull racer is no longer made by us.

The DNA F4 is a 14 m foiling catamaran made of pre-preg carbon with a Nomex core. Designed and built in such a way that it could be used to push the limits in remote offshore racing.

The boat was the result of an 8 month collaboration between DNA engineers and Shannon Falcone, winner of the America’s Cup and Tommy Loughborough, professional sailor and RedBull as event sponsor.

Want to know more about the F4 and the Redbull race New York to Bermuda? Then click on the specs!

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The new DNA F1x A-class catamaran is unveiled!

DNA is proud to unveil the new  F1x A-cat . In essence, it is a comprehensive update to the original F1 A-cat introduced in the spring of 2016.  Cost - Platform ready to go €25000 +VAT.

So, two years have passed since the introduction of the F1 and this is the first update. What remains and what has changed? Mischa, PJ and DNA lead engineer Niels went the extra mile. It is still the F1 as you know it, with the same hull shape aimed for light air & floating performance and aero optimization when foiling. But we have changed and added a few go-faster bits – more than just swapping foils alone.. The moulds have been slightly reworked and in short, these are the changes made: 

>> Magic wheel sheeting below deck 

>> Internal traveller system in aft beam  

>> New Z-foil design 

>> Changed Z-foil position and trunk entry with easy rake readout

>> New rudder design 

>> Changed rudder position 

>> Rudder rake adjustment while sailing 

>> Boomless pinhead sail design from Mischa Sails 

>> Larger deck area for crossing   

The F1x´s changes are explained in more detail on the following pages. Sailing images will be provided when the weather clears up – photo sessions have thus far been cancelled due to rain or fog.

Magic wheel sheeting

Located below the semi-rigid carbon trampoline is a clever new wheel sheeting system which replaces the traditional main sheet system. Why a wheel? This allows lesser sheeting loads and gives a much faster response. The sheet rolls on a wheel and is covered to prevent the sheet from falling off in case of a slacked line. It is a very clean system and requires less physical effort, which means lesser chance of mistakes throughout an already exhausting racing day, and the advantage of a quicker response needs no further explanation. 

Internal traveller 

The F1’s aft beam, which originally featured a nicely recessed traveller track, has been extensively reworked; with the F1x the aft beam features a wholly integrated traveller car inside the carbon beam. There are multiple advantages over a normal traveller track: it weighs less, there is -again- lesser windage, it runs smoother, it is fully optimized for a boomless sail and that sheet is no longer in your way as it fully runs under the trampoline.

We have been running a foil improvement program for more than a year now, as we started trying amended foil shapes well ahead of the 2017 Worlds. We found it very hard to make an allround improvement to the original Z-foil design which we developed in 2013 and introduced the following year. We then decided to call for help and have collaborated with Martin Fischer to create the next level in Z-foil design. Martin needs no further introduction we believe, and the good thing is - with most respect- that he is a real performance freak in the best sense of the word. Nothing but the absolute best would do, which meant that reviewing our real world data from testing our modified foil shapes and Martins computational calculations resulted in more than a dozen new shapes. Each was reviewed until, after months, we arrived at the final new shape. 

The one goal throughout foil development has been very straightforward; to make foiling easier overall and to achieve more flying time (upwind). This should ease foiling in rougher conditions which ultimately results in higher average speeds around the course, and secondly it makes entrance into the class for newbies easier too. We started off by saying that we would be happy to sacrifice some top end speed for a more forgiving design – however the foil professor came up with a design that is easier to foil, more forgiving overall AND has a higher top end. We expect to break the 30 knots speed barrier pretty soon, so as the season progresses and we learn more, it will be fun doing some new speed runs versus the MOTH’s again.   

When you look at the pictures, you will note more curves in the daggerboards. The Z-foils are fully class compliant and have been positioned slightly further forward. The foil has a higher aspect ratio and features some pretty ‘kinky’ intelligent stuff, featuring various profiles throughout the design.  

The rudders are a new design too. They are now positioned slightly canted, and the winglet is canted even further for additional heave stability. We maintain using L-rudders (so no T-rudders); these could be placed further outwards and are then not in the wake of the daggerboards providing a better steer and more efficient lift. The new rudders are located further aft to create a larger span, which aids control when foiling generally and eases upwind foiling specifically. 

In our opinion, L-rudders are the optimal rudder for performance and a positive side effect is that it is easy to shake off weed while sailing. Weed is pretty common in Dutch summers and we just do not want to make a full stop when you feel some weed dragging – just pop a hull, shake it loose and off you go again [at warp speed]. Small matter it may be, but details do matter.

Foil rake 

With the new F1x, the rake of both daggerboards and rudders can be adjusted while sailing. Last year, Mischa trialed various prototype rudder rake systems for convenience and durability and we have now come up with a well working, lightweight and clean solution.

Although the rudder rake is synchronized as standard, the rudder rake system has already been separated in a port and starboard system to -eventually- offer rake differential at the rudders. Customer boats will not feature this ex-factory as yet, although DNA team riders will feature such to test the structural integrity of the various masts currently available during the 2018 season. Rudder differential will increase righting moment and thus speed, however loads on the rig go up too and we do not want to see customer masts failing.

Rudder feeling 

Achieving a light, direct and balanced feel on the rudder is a DNA trademark and has been a high priority for years, and it has now improved even further. It is balanced such that the pressure on the helm slightly increases when foiling high, providing more feedback and control. 

Sail changes 

DNA successfully introduced the decksweeper sail setup with a wishbone boom. Initially, we were skeptical about a boomless decksweeper sail, however with the latest pinhead sail designs from Mischa Sails and our new traveler setup we no longer require a boom to achieve the best performance. This saves weight and costs. 

Retrofitting 

Changes between the F1 and F1x are few, but are nonetheless significant due to a few changes in the platform. Retrofitting new features as rudder rake adjustment, the internal beam traveler and the magic wheel sheeting would involve a mighty lot of work.  Due to the changed positioning and shape, the F1x Z-foils will not fit in the 2016-2017 F1 daggerboard cases – however, with ample interest from existing F1 A-cat customers, we will create a new Z-foil which takes lessons learned from the updated F1x, and make that suitable for use in the F1 without any platform modification whatsoever.   

The new F1x L-rudders can be used in the original F1 rudder cassettes, requiring just some sanding for a snug fit.

Overall  

We hope to deliver in our quest for improved handling, more speed and more control while going fast while maintaining good looks. The last bit of good news is that we have been able to lose some weight – total weights are very close to the magic 75 kg again. 

We remain affirmed in our belief that customers should be able to sail, foil and race within 30 minutes after taking delivery of their A-cat.  Each DNA F1x comes fully prepared and tuned  (tuned to Mischa spec) so you can go sailing straight away. Due to the added complexities, the platform cost has gone up to €25000 excluding taxes.

We hope you like it – let us know your comments at  [email protected] please! 

Renderings rights free for editorial use with credit : ©DNA performance sailing

Full specs on the F1x A-cat as well as other DNA performance sailing products :  www.DNAperformancesailing.com

For media or sales information, contact : Thijs van Riemsdijk,  [email protected] , tel +31 320 281877

Sign up for the DNA newsletter :  www.DNAperformancesailing.com

The DNA® A-class catamaran. Five times world champion. Proudly manufactured by Holland Composites. This blog tells you all you wish to know about sailing fast and foiling DNA A-cats..

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Tweaking and tuning your dna, no comments:, post a comment.

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A CLASS CATAMARAN TUNING GUIDE

The settings below are recommended for Fiberfoam 14 / DNA masts and 80 kg skipper. Download PDF

Lighter skipper will slide settings up the range one and heavier skipper will stay down range one setting for best performance. (70kg is light. 90kg is heavy) Mainsheet should be tensioned enough to have an even twist profile from top to bottom and all tell tails should fly evenly.

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The British

'a' class catamaran, association.

The official site for the British 'A' Class Catamaran Association.  Designed to inform new and existing 'A' Cat sailors about UK 'A' Class trends.

Please email us with details and we will be happy to put items on here.  However, please also inform us when they are sold. 

'a' cat items, for sale or wanted.

Good sized mug printed with the BACCA logo and sail symbol.

£13.50 incl PP

[email protected]

2015 DNA A class for Sale

Foiling and C Board configuration.

Very competitive C Board boat that is fun to foil 

Wisper Grey Hulls almost immaculate.  

Deck Sweeper main sails and double skin trampoline.

2018 Brewin main sail, Mischa pin top 2020 main sail, designed for foiling, in immaculate condition (additional £500)

DNA L Rudders with carbon vertical clamp stocks

DNA curved boom.

DNA Carbon Mast

Big Wheel Trolly 

Full boat cover

Trailer – good condition 

For the price of £8,000. 

Contact Mick on +44(0)7702 430252

For sale - 2013 DNA

First generation foiler with C boards, but better sailed as a classic

Fiberfoam mast

T foil rudders for foiling mode

Xploder straight rudders for classic mode

2022 GP sail

2018 Brewin sail

New rigging 2023

Big wheel trolley

Road trailer with locking steel box

£7500 ono

Contact Andrew Potter

07766 910931

[email protected]

For Sale - 2014 DNA Classic

A great Classic boat for a 65-80kg sailor. Would suit someone getting into the class. Good condition but just needs a decent scrubbing. No damage or repairs, little used in the last 2 years.

Soft bend DNA tapered carbon mast, so would be ideal for a lighter sailor.

Good condition Landenberger sail, cascade mainsheet, Refurbished DNA C boards - just requires the slots packing a little for a tighter fit.

Adjustable sliders as was also a J board boat.

Tramp undercover.

Cruciform DNA rudders.

Cover, but requires some love and Eurotrax launch trolly with hull cups.

Certificate.

Can be seen at Rutland SC.

£55 00

0792 1166645

DNA F1 A-CLASS RACING CAT

In close collaboration with DNA Performance Sailing, the F1 has been developed late 2015 - early 2016. Building on the 2010 DNA class A catamaran, which served as a platform for many developments for hydro-foiling appendages, rigs and lots more, the F1 provides a state of the art basis for new developments to test and implement.

The class A catamaran is a one person racing catamaran designed within a strict set of dimensions, weight and features such as top loading dagger boards for beaching, brought forward by the International A-Division Catamaran Association.

Named coolest sailboat ever built  by the catsailingnews.com blog, this boat boast a range of fresh ideas for performance and ergonomics. 

At this performance level, aerodynamics play a defining role. The wing deck leading edge is shaped to assure a clean entry of air flow into the "deck sweeper" sail. In order to reduce aero drag, the rudder cross bar integrates with the wing deck and the transoms are narrowed down. As a result, the F1 is the fastest upwind sailing A-cat ever.

Further novelties include a solid sheet trampoline, injection molded rudder cassette plates, synchronized foil rake control from the trapeze, improved ergonomics and lots more.

Only a bit of breeze is needed to lift the F1 its foils, both reaching and upwind. The series started out highly successful with the 2016 World Championship with Mischa Heemskerk in its very first race.

PROJECT DETAILS

• partner: DNA Performance Sailing BV
• year: 2015-2016
• product: DNA F1
• weight: 72kg
• speed, cruise: +/- 20kn
• speed, max: +/- 30kn
• build : pre-preg carbon on nomex core
• manufacturer product page

DNA F1 DESIGN TEAM:

• Rudo Enserink: aero design and styling, engineering, tooling, all 3D
• PieterJan Dwarshuis: specs, production engineering
• Mischa Heemskerk:  specs, performance and hydrofoil design

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