Spray Rails: What?? who? where?

Too much talk about the new Hobie f18 “spray rails” as critical innovation, but many are aware that they´ve been around for a while a now. Main function is to redirect spray or wash outs waves that smash the hull when sailing at high speeds, also provides reserve volume depending on deck design.
Now Volvo 70´s also use them, some say they provide or generate additional lift.
Although is the 1st use in an wave piercing design to my knowledge, quite excellent decision as resolves also one of the main issues of the wave piercing design bows… lack of reserve volume.

Just a few examples:

Loday-White Spitfire (Dart 16 succesor)

Alinghi´s Decision 35

Racecat 16 – July 2007 – mould