The Figaro Beneteau 3 is the first production foiling one-design monohull ever to be designed. A distillation of technology and innovation, it results from a collaboration between group Beneteau’s best experts and the Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost (VPLP) office, the architects of the two last boats to win the Vendée Globe. The first prototype will be launched and tested this summer 2017. The Figaro Beneteau 3 will enter the ISO/World Sailing design category A.
Inward-facing foils The specifications define the Figaro Beneteau 3 monohull as being as reliable as its predecessor, the Figaro Beneteau 2. It is equipped with foils, a better performing and ballast-free hull, a more slender and deeper keel, a setback mast and a more extensive and larger sail plan. The FB3 foils will have an inward-facing profile. They are versatile foils that create drift reduction and improve the boat’s righting moment, without increasing the movement, which improves the boat’s performance.
Mast and sails Similar to the Imoca 60s, the mast is set back, providing balance under sail. This allows the use of high performance sails and the addition of a bowsprit. Solo sailors will sail with a square-top mainsail, a genoa and a jib, but also a masthead spinnaker (105 m² to gain speed in a light breeze) and a small gennaker. The Mainsail area of the FB3 will have 39.5 m² and Jib area 30.5 m². The FB3 has been designed to meet the requirements of the french Figaro circuit, including the well-known “Solitaire URGO le Figaro”, but may well suit other uses.
Technical data: Length: 10,85 m Beam: 3,40 m Draft: k. A. Displacement: 2.900 kg CE-certified: A
