The Vripack hydrofoil - a boat I so enjoyed mocking back in December last year - has won a green award from the International Motorboat Federation (UIM) at the exclusive Salle des Etoiles in Monaco.

 

Vripack hydrofoil?: V20

Vripack hydrofoil: The V20 is a hydrofoiling solar power boat that has been recognised by the UIM.



The V20 (a hydrofoil-equipped, one-design solar racer) is designed to achieve speeds of up to 16 knots on nothing but the sun’s energy. Yes, I know that sounds about as exciting as the ill-fated Sinclair C5 but Vripack doesn’t care – and it has proved it with this graphic representation of just how dreamy its new creation is likely to be...

It would certainly be interesting to test this novel design... we wonder if or when we will get the chance to try the Vripack hydrofoil for ourselves. It does look rather cool... but looks can be very deceiving as it also looks fast and you could never describe 16 knots as fast! Although some may argue you can still enjoy competitive racing in such a design - and perhaps it won't be as boring to watch as it sounds!

For more on some rather faster powerboats, see: World’s Fastest Powerboats: 5 Famous Record Breakers or enjoy the video of Powerboat Backflips.

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.