Evolution from VSR1

With VSR2 we have made a package that has a huge amount of power on a very efficient, low drag platform. It is designed to be always seeking stability like a well-built model airplane. At high speed the pilot should be able to take his hands off the controls. This was possible on the first boat. VSR2 is designed to have enough power and efficiency to be able to drag a truly horrible plough-like cavitating foil through the water at over 60 knots. Anything better than ‘truly horrible’ will result in either higher speeds or greater efficiency in lighter winds.

VSR1 was there to show us that the concept had the power and efficiency we thought it should. VSR2 is now built to exploit these characteristics to allow us to confront cavitation head on. Just like the sound barrier, once you are through... you are through. The equation for doing 100 knots or greater will have been written and validated for the next generation. If we can make it to the end of this process, we will happily leave that to others. We will have proven a point. That is the goal of this project now. If we prove that point then we believe the outright record will simply come with the territory.

Overall the boat is very impractical in conventional sailing terms... but it aims to prove a point very well, just like the Bell X-1 did when it was lifted high into the sky in a converted bomber and lit its dangerous, hungry rocket engine in thin airs over California to break the sound barrier 64 odd years ago.

We do not expect this challenge to be easy or the results to come automatically. The unexpected also comes with the territory.

Read more about the design and concept of VSR1 here.