This extract is from "Icarus: the boat that flies" (ISBN 0229118038) page 57. Text and photo © James Grogono. [Preceding text concerns a one-way hydrofoil proa called "Ugly Duckling", designed by Leif Smitt of Denmark.]
By remarkable coincidence a Russian sailing hydrofoil very similar to "Ugly Duckling" was developed at the same time [circa 1983]. There was no excahnge of information between Leif Smitt and Aldis Eglajs, whose highly successful design has apparently evolved without reference to previous hydrofoils. The Russian "Centaurus II" carries the main load forward on a single inclined foil, with a small rudder foil aft. The outrigger is supported by another inclined foil, and the rig is boldly canted to windward.
Centaurus II reached 27.0 knots with an A
class rig, which would have been a class world record if an offically appointed observer
had been present. The author was granted this role by the WSSR Committee and
corresponded with the Russian team in 1983, but the arrangements proved too
difficult. The "Centaurus II" is more remarkable as the Latvian coast lies
less than 200 miles across the southern Baltic Sea from Karlskrona. Desite this
proximity each team worked without knowledge of the other, and it is disappointing that
the two craft have never sailed against each other.
The web also solicits his address:
Aldis Eglajs
CATRI Marine,
Box 120
Riga,LV 1063,
LETTLAND
Tel/fax : +371 7258427
email: aldis@catri.apollo.lv