Befoil 16: New recreational Foiling Cat
Photos & text below sent by Christina Gödelmann-Godde / Befoil. Official web at www.befoil.com. Following the trend set by Michele Petrucci S9 and later by the i Fly15, and White Formula Whisper the Befoil 16 aims to bring foiling sensation without having to spend many hours learning required in the past to fly an A Cat.
These wand foiling systems a la Moth offers automatic foiling for whichever your sailing skills might be. Below more details on this new cat foiler.
Befoil’s take-off
Befoil came from an R & D project called Voilavion, imagined by Benjamin Magnard, aiming to create a hydrofoil boat equipped with a tilting mast, which flew from its first sea trials.
As a result of this innovative project, the company Befoil was born. Based in Lorient, this company is supported by the Brittany Region, BPI, and Mer Invest, a subsidiary of Banque Populaire Grand Ouest.
Specifications were drawn up in collaboration with VPLP, a naval architecture firm whose reputation is well established, to create a hydrofoil catamaran that is easy to use and accessible to all: the Befoil 16. It is a 16-foot hydrofoil catamaran designed for lovers of new sensations and sailing schools, which is easy to handle, and which, thanks to its large surface area and stability, allows safe navigation over water.
The new Befoil 16 Sport Made in Europe and assembled on the premises in Lorient, the Befoil 16 Sport is a high-quality construction thanks to the infusion manufacturing process. This sportier version was launched at the end of 2020. The Befoil 16 Sport is lighter, stiffer and more canvasy, for performance on the water.
Intended for private individuals and sailing schools, this hydrofoil catamaran adapts to all sailing programmes, to learn how to fly on the water easily and to fill up with sensations. With its self-regulating T-foils and its 2 load-bearing rudders and glass/epoxy hulls, the Befoil 16 Sport is the latest addition to the Befoil series. In trapeze sport mode, or in comfort mode with the optional ladders, the Befoil 16 Sport provides a great feeling of speed. The boat takes off from 8 knots and can reach up to 20 knots.
Benjamin Magnard, president of Befoil adds: “Everyone dreams of flying on water! Thanks to the Befoil 16 Sport, all flying boat enthusiasts – whatever their level – can take off as soon as the weather is light, combining pleasure and speed!”.
It takes off with Befoil
Its first commercialization was a success. The first 10 owners were very satisfied and found in this Befoil 16 Sport all the expectations of a flying catamaran.
In the absence of boat shows, the Befoil 16 Sport was welcomed on Lake Tegernsee in Germany. This presentation caused a sensation and attracted many sailing enthusiasts during the tests.
The Befoil 16 Sport recently took off thanks to its distinction as “Foiler of the Year 2021” by Voile Magazine.
At the helm of Befoil is Pierre Engel, the new Managing Director.
With more than 20 years of experience in the commercial and general management of companies in the nautical world (Takoon, Bic Sport, Gaastra, Tiga, Neway), Pierre Engel’s objective is to make Befoil the leading manufacturer of light hydrofoil boats.
Technical data
Country: France
Site: Befoil – Lorient
Architect: VPLP
This double flying catamaran is 16 feet long
Self-regulating t-foils
Price excl. tax Befoil 16 Sport: 20 825 €
Price excl. tax Befoil 16: 14 990 €
| Model | Length | Width | Weight | Mainsail | Jib | Take off |
| Befoil 16 | 4,87m – 16 feet | 250-4,30m | 230kg | 12m2 | 3,70m2 | 10 knots TWS |
| Befoil 16 Sport | 4,87m – 16 feet | 250-4,30m | 175kg | 14m2 | 3,70m2 | 8 knots TWS |
