Always On - Flying on the world's fastest sailboat

It's called L'Hydroptere and the French concept sailboat -- with its marine style wings -- basically flies on the water. CNET's Molly Wood meets Alain Thebault, the boat's skipper, and gets an inside look at the tech that makes it glide.
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[@phillipphil1615]

I met this guy when he was testing his larger and latest scale model in Quiberon in the winter, he was living in a small stone house, completely broke, having to scrounge wood to heat his small stone house. He is incredibly driven and passionate, he managed to convince companies to work and finance his project some came along, some left and others took over. Frankly the performance of the boat is really not what impresses me the most. It's undoubtedly Alain Thebault and his relentless passion.

[@yoliegunderson8749]

Phillip Phil how fortunate for you and thank you for sharing your story. It reminded me to stay the course.

[@wholeNwon]

I think at some level, we all yearn to live our lives like that. "Many men lead lives of quiet desperation." Others have the courage to liberate themselves.

[@jamesbadham9665]

Althought that boat and its speed of 60+ mph is pretty darn impressive.

[@gillescordier8033]

Phillip Phil I woulld say that the boat's performance is quite amazing...!!

[@samfrancisco8095]

I think your story is BS.

[@450cafe]

I don't understand, why so negative? This guy has followed his dream and created something amazing! Why slam him, he should be encouraged to keep going. This is how new products and innovations come to life. Keep going Alain, amazing accomplishment!

[@maxorbit357]

Trolls often disappear. How could you be negative about fast sailboats. lmao!

[@yoliegunderson8749]

Kasey Thompson yes!!! Absolutely. Well said!

[@micheldecaprio7261]

David Ginola

[@kelvinham8576]

I agree with you. These guys push material engineering, hydo dynamics efficiency to a new level. Applications can be picked up in unexpected areas. Big thumbs up to these guys!

[@FJDH11]

Down-voters are probably crazy feminists and beta males.

[@The_Revealer_7]

Very cool design. I really liked the enthusiasm of the French sailboat designer :)) 56 knots is 103,71 kilometre per hour. Very fast.

[@IanMacLeansnv]

At Chrissy Field, I saw AC 45's out on the bay practicing for a fleet race. Foiling. Inshore of them, however, were foiling moths, and downwind, the moths were blowing past the cats. And out in the middle of the bay, L'Hydroptere was making speed runs. I have never seen anything like it. When pointed right at you, the boat disappeared into it's own thinness much as fighter aircraft do (smallest profile = lowest drag). Sailboats aren't supposed to leave rooster tails larger than the boat. They're not supposed to look like fighter planes obscuring themselves in a supersonic condensation mist, but L'Hydroptere did, creating it's own speed mist which may have lubricated it's drag, come to think of it. Never seen anything like it, love that boat. One of the coolest things ever...

[@kevinmoore4887]

I use to windsurf off Crissy Field. The AC cats were fun to watch. Arne Andersen's Turbine powered boats were amazing too. 100 mph fast with a helicopter to look ahead. Almost zero wake. I have to look into the foiling moths.

[@bobbythompson3544]

This is one seriously talented man to make his childhood dream reality, well done sir!

[@u235u235u235]

he certainly hyped himself up. he told us he's passionate like 10x, he told us he's humble, he said he wants to fly!

[@adamdonovan5633]

This guy is a walking/sailing demonstration of what ALIVENESS looks like! Bravo Alain! Bravo!

[@alexcave7573]

56 knots ! Wow. That is faster than most powerboats on the water and almost the maximum land speed on a motorway. Great seeing the photos of the early model prototypes boats that this man built too. What a brilliant dream to have eventually realised.

[@BenDover-wm7wf]

Lol

[@sandergjertsenstvold1051]

"Just the wind, my paper, my pen, my passion" The most French sentence I've ever heard.

[@nickigna]

Alain Thebault has this irresistible charm to him. What a good chap!

[@muratguney8514]

World need this kind of man for inspiration.

[@orvillehobson8397]

The crowning word..Humble.

[@bestvip5803]

This guy reminds me of Elon Musk, wish we could replace every bad human with one of these types

[@Keet619]

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! Sailing Tech is advancing in leaps and bounds lately, good job.

[@sailawayteam]

Alain Thebault is charming! Many high end sailors are very enthusiastic, but he is so very exited, still like a child. Like when he's bouncing on the trampoline to show Molly the boat. :) And this after so many years with his dreamboats, and undoubtedly there have been a lot of setbacks.

[@yoliegunderson8749]

sailawayteam beautifully presented. Yes, I can see the joy in his heart.

[@RGTee]

sailawayteam n

[@d.cypher2920]

11 years later... Still blows my mind, as a 9.5 years live-aboard sailboat dweller. Just blows my mind 🤯 🇺🇸😎🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@michaelkeaton5394]

Just so you know the older guy olding the model at 1:26 is Eric Tabarly, and if you don't know him Google him...

[@peasoupman]

I love how passionate and energetic the guy is! He's fantastic! More people should look to him as a role model. He's doing something that he loves, He loves life, and he acts like a kid when he's a middle aged man.

[@Rich161202]

SIMPLY AMAZING! PEOPLE THAT ACCOMPLISH THEIR PROJECTS AND DREAMS,! Keep going for sure!!!

[@theamorantoplace3493]

so inspiring!!! wishing greater heights for the sailing team!!!

[@milesmouse72]

this thing is strictly business, no frills or accents. just a water based fighter jet...love it!!!

[@matthewq2365]

Looks like fun! Beautiful work! I wonder what we will dream next!

[@Mr7valentine7]

56 knots - unbelievable! My very best regards!

[@SabdoPalonNagihJanji]

The basic design of threemaran actually already adopted by fishery boat at Indonesia or south east asia region since the century past and untill now

[@ThePatriotization]

brilliant and bravo!!!!! Iwill follow your endurance and determination in another field off coarce

[@ymp5000]

Holy shit that's fast.

[@evanpenny348]

Agree that there is no need for negativity, but in fact his design looks remarkable similar to a three foil boat designed way back in the late sixties (I think) and called the forty knot sail boat. It was designed by a NASA scientist but never got beyond the working scale model. Gosh, forty knots sounds like such a modest aim these days. so congratulations to Thebault for getting his idea to full size and actually proving the design.

[@ICHWILL2002]

crazy guys-cool-so much energy and passion!!!

[@kikoleotte]

WELL DONE ... follow your dreams, the world is yours !!

[@CockatooDude]

Well you gotta get an education first. This thing doesn't work for everyone.

[@CockatooDude]

Dane Hartwell Why does that matter? All I am saying is that machines like this yacht here require lots of higher level physics to get the power of the sails, the speed required to hydroplane, etc. So while the guy was building model boats, he was also getting an education, so he could know what he was doing better and continually improve his designs. Also, I am 17, I can't exactly do much right now, but fear not, I definitely intend to make contributions to technology in the future.

[@rapid13]

My dream is where I see myself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at me.

[@vinorob]

I followed my dream and got 12 years

[@chicut84]

No is not true. ...not for every one..! Hi

[@kaasie71]

Nice to hear and see those passionate people speak about there lives and the things they achieved.

[@biffbiffsail569]

Saw this boat in France several years ago.Very impressive. Has to be super strong. Lovely blond crew member talked to me about it and said it was a blast.

[@CharlieWellsPlus]

Amazing interview.

[@MikeBarnett1776]

My little trimaran tends to get jealous when I watch videos of such amazing craft...

[@Rob-ln7dd]

What a fantastic inspirational energetic man, his passion energy and enthusiasm are truly a lesson to us all. I love this video it makes me happy and interested, I'd love to work with someone like this, brilliant !

[@ivandavid-rewiri90]

Well done!!!! .....Follow your passion Alain.....like your boat. Show the sailing world what can be achieved!!!....when you have the passion.

[@NauTzZz]

A very friendly conversation! I like it!

[@theengineer704]

Amazing!! He is a genius. That boat is a dream.

[@Rompster123]

I love that man. Beautiful innovation.

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

Way cool invention ! That is one piece of future technology that is just nice ! Great Inventor!

[@juliendauchy7831]

never-ending-story of speed i believe...beautifule-fantastic !!!

[@skakpedersen]

Columbus: “Can it fly?” Skipper: “She’d like to”

[@AllenVictorCox]

Hardly sea worthy fast but not safe!

[@barneybruns887]

Stay Humble, show by action. This guy will go far.

[@alfredferreira]

And with speed.

[@danawade3333]

Beautiful lines.

[@777vikingfan]

This is how the Wright brothers started, an idea and a dream..bravo sir!

[@mariogalanos4101]

Amazing sailing hydrofoil.........very impressive.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@glennsecco8260]

Well done mate, awesome fruition of your dreams. Great example to pursue your dreams.

[@chicut84]

Senza parole la passione di quest uomo una passione di una vita trasformata in realtà ! Respect!!

[@petermuller7029]

I with you Kasey. Full of respect I am for this guy. Leave the others because they do not know what their missing.

[@bokeflo]

It must be incredible sailing on that sailboat.

[@peregrinegrace8570]

Astonishing ! Beautiful ! Amazing ! What a great guy

[@Mr7valentine7]

Atlantic in two days and a half - you are great!

[@BenDover-wm7wf]

Until they run into a bit of inclement weather and a little ten foot swell.

[@kkeeper1000]

Bravo pour votre passion et innovation.

[@UncleFishbits]

I caught this when it was on the bay.... fantastic craft.

[@l0OoD1GBY]

Love it! Great story :)

[@trollking6111]

Wow, what an incredible boat!

[@shadowbanned5164]

56 knots is amazing for a sailboat holy cow.

[@heartfullyhonest]

This is one of the best stories of believing in your dreams and putting everything into it to succeed. Wow 🤩

[@alexrodaro1]

What an incredible success!

[@sirql8]

65 mph is sick crazy speed for a sailboat.

[@victornorre6948]

That is freaking awsome!!!!

[@johnnielsen7413]

Such infectious energy.

[@AxelSchultze]

wow - wow - wow this is so f.... cool :)

[@7grounds]

nun schnapp dich mal wieder ein

[@auggiecontreras8068]

The definition of "contagious energy" 🙂

[@cervelo9465]

The new Ineos Grenadiers 2020 has just been launched in New Zealand. Est. top speed 56 knots. I loved Monsieur Thebault's video.

[@joseffschroeter]

So incredibly awesome!!!!

[@socceracademy6787]

amazing dream come true bravo great work amazing and beautiful THANKS

[@adrianfaulkner3270]

56 knots, that is amazing!

[@TsarOfRuss]

Alain Thebault is a very POSITIVE MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So friendly, even with his mates

[@adavidaz]

A true visionary and builder. Bon chance!

[@gospeedracer40]

I've been sailing since I was a child love cat's and tri's' so fast so beautiful, now with wings as a hydro-plane. congratulations on your dreams. coming true.

[@tundra5046]

I love cats

[@vinorob]

Outstanding. Fantastic

[@gwenaellepage4450]

And now even monohulls are foiling. That thing paved the way.

[@jmyers9853]

i first heard of this concept fifty years ago in a book call "the forty knot sailboat"

[@dennism103]

Very impressive

[@WildestDreamerBert]

Wonderful

[@antonioruivosantos4147]

hola buenísimo este deporte me encanta soy costeño saludos del Caribe y Portugal

[@cruithne6021]

Nov. 22 2012, the Vestas Sail Rocket took the record with a documented and recognized 63.25 knots.

[@walterpalmer2749]

56 knots under the right conditions. Kudos. Even Magellan needed the wind.

[@BillGrates1]

Totally AMAZING!

[@Richard-wk9le]

I have sailed on many different kinds of multi hull boats from Hobie 16,s Tornados, Malibu outriggers and the Catalina express taxi cat which does 35 knots there is just something about going fast on water that gives you passion, flying a Hull must be experienced to be understood but flying an entire boat at those speeds is just incredible if you need more sponsors just take them for a ride.

[@bobbyjohnnascar]

He said it's powered by passion , I think that's the same as detroit diesels.

[@derekjones7070]

This is a beautiful machine

[@sk-6220]

Génial cette conception de limiter le frottement, la vitesse s'en voit augmentée, j'adore le concept, la france n'a rien à envier des grands pays nous avons les talents qu'il faut, un bateau fait surement déjà des envieux, super les gars ^_^

[@skakpedersen]

What would Columbus have paid, to see this boat? It’s fascinating to see the vast improvements on the vessels, and crew accomodations have been turned back to Columbus’ time. Thanks for sharing this magnificent video.

[@michaelbrewster3736]

Columbus was a jerk!

[@BenDover-wm7wf]

Then the indigenous peoples of the americas could have been eradicated much much faster. Yay!

[@FrikInCasualMode]

"Is it a boat? Is it a plane?" "Yes." Incredible construction.

[@_Christofero]

Amazing boat

[@raymondhill3]

He was already great as a teenager!!!!!!

[@kevinhoffman8214]

wow , great job , i always thought that plodding along at 7 knots could be improved !

[@michaelwarlow4398]

Great guy ,great video :)

[@dobermanpac1064]

Brilliant!

[@Kopie0830]

This guy has the passion to make his dream come true. Perhaps it is true, faith can move mountains...

[@reflex1377]

This is what I've been DREAMING of. A sailboat that can FLY!? AND YOU CAN LIVE IN IT!?

[@glennknauer2696]

Amazing

[@drewrowl]

The great invention, would really like to know the source of this whole IDEA and inspiration?

[@deemon710]

I like that guy. He seems like a real cool guy to meet.

[@jansveen]

Realy interesting boat, or boatplane ;-) But how is it in hard weather or big waves? I know that trimarans are good in hard weather, i just would like to know how this one react to ruff sea. Lovely that you made your dream come reality

[@HamburgdasTorzurWelt]

Fantastic !!

[@josed.3517]

muy interesante el video

[@nicolajhardbass1608]

What a wonderful guy

[@Wolf-xu1fj]

"When I was young, I told my teacher I wanted to fly" so I built a boat. WHAT.?

[@jonathanellis8737]

You know, flying ships in fantasy stories.

[@trevisonclark7135]

It’s the French...

[@alaskawilliam1]

Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics are the same. Viscosity is different.

[@Wolf-xu1fj]

william bennett yes, but flying and boating are like sky and water

[@Binette96]

@@alaskawilliam1 maybe a lil difference about the density too ^^

[@chiqo8]

Moi non plus je ne comprends pas, félicitations mon ami pour porter ton rêve aussi loin! Toute mon admiration et mon émerveillement!

[@dehdeh55]

Looks like fun. The water chop looks like no more than 25 knots at most, so he is going twice wind speed. Thus, like an iceboat, the wind speed and direction is mostly due to motion of the boat. Obviously, it is a huge step from the brief flat water speed runs to crossing oceans as he plans. Good luck!

[@DeadBunny69]

Unbridled enthusiasm is a powerful thing.

[@DEVILGAARA8]

This guy is awesome!