Shannon Amphfoil SEV
Surface Effect Vessel
Shannon Amphfoil SEV
Hydrofoils Re-Invented
Amphfoil SEV is a patented super boat based on two proven hydrodynamic and a aerodynamic technologies for high-speed (50mph/80kph), long-range (300miles/643km) use creating a totally new and better boat.
About Hydrofoils
Hydrofoil boats were first invented over 150 years ago. The promise of gaining performance and efficiency while reducing drag by lifting a hull up out of the water on foils has never been fully realized. There are 5 primary reasons for this failure in spite of $billions spent by navies throughout the world:
(1) maintaining lift solely on hydrofoils requires incredibly complex electronic equipment prone to malfunction and instability
(2) hydrofoil boats require flat, calm sea state conditions;
(3) foil legs act as rudders limiting maneuverability;
(4) water propeller propulsion creates additional complexity;
(5) hydrofoil boats are notoriously unstable while balanced on three foils
In this 4-minute video Rhett Nanson, Shannon’s catamaran and hydrofoil chief engineer, points out how Amphfoil technology addresses and overcomes hydrofoil limitations.
A First in the Global Marine Industry
The Amphfoil’s breakthrough development combines the use of surface effect lift and tilting air propeller lift in addition to hydrofoil lift to create a totally new type of offshore foil boat. Amphfoil technology overcomes the massive shortfalls that have plagued conventional hydrofoils for decades. Amphfoils have unheard-of speeds and open ocean long range utilizing 21st century electric air propulsion.
In this short video, Amphfoil’s naval architect and CEO Walt Schulz explains why Amphfoils are the first foil boats to use three distinct types of lift technology.
Revolutionary. Patented.
Amphfoil patents are not limited to size or specific utilization.
Amphfoil SEV technology is so revolutionary that it is internationally patented in 42 developed countries.
Design/engineered by Shannon Boat Company with over 4 decades of marine offshore experience.
The Amphfoil Offshore Boat Solution
Auxiliary Air Propellers
Amphfoils use air propeller propulsion to maintain speed and lift when sea/wave conditions limit hydrofoil lift and water propellers propulsion.
Air propellers have been used by the military and others to propel shoal draft boats and other craft for decades . Air propellers are 35% more energy efficient than water propellers.
Auxiliary Air Propellers
Amphfoils use air propeller propulsion to maintain speed and lift when sea/wave conditions limit hydrofoil lift and water propellers propulsion.
Air propellers have been used by the military and others to propel shoal draft boats and other craft for decades . Air propellers are 35% more energy efficient than water propellers.
Retractable Foils
Amphfoils use a totally new “quadfoil” design, without complex electronics and increased maeuverability issues. Retractable foils protect against mammal strikes and dangerous groundings in shoal waters.
Amphfoil Sea Skimming
A new way to travel the oceans of the world smoother, faster, safer and more efficiently. Amphfoils skim over the waves using surface effect “cushion of molecular air” lift. eliminating the harsh bouncing motion that limits the speeds of conventional boats and creates crew fatigue and sea sickness.
Sea Skimming is the Future and the Amphfoil SEV is the Forerunner
Archaic and Failed Technologies are Still Being Used Today
Power catamaran boats-with the general use of aluminum for boat and ship building in the 1950s twin hulled vessels came into popularity. The big advantage was increased speed over steel monohulls for inshore ferries and recreational boats. Speed came at a high price due to the use of excessively big engines and related pollution. The other disadvantage is terrible motion in an offshore seaway.
Conventional hydrofoil boats-lifting a hull out of the water on foils to reduce drag and increased speed has been around since 1898. In spite of the $billions that have been spent on hydrofoil boats by navies throughout the world, conventional hydrofoil technology has never produced a practical safe offshore boat due to the fact that the foils must always be submerged to create lift limiting use to low wave height conditions.
Wing in ground WIG-Wig technology was developed in 1944 as a low flying bomber aircraft taking advantage of the phenomenal 600% efficiency physics of surface effect. Attempts have been made over the years to use surface effect on WIG amphibian aircraft-based craft without practical success due to the inherent danger of flying extremely low (30’/10 m) over the water at high speeds.
Sidewall hovercraft boats- SOV. Twenty years ago sidewall design vessels were an attempt to address the inefficiencies and motion problems found on conventional catamaran power boats. The object was to create a bubble of trapped air between the hulls to stabilize motion. The U.S. Navy spent over a decade working on SOV before totally abandoning the design concept.
A Totally New And More Efficient Boat,
Amphfoil SEV Changes The Paradigm
Amphfoil Technology takes catamaran hulls with lifting hydrofoils to a totally new offshore vessel paradigm by combining wave skimming Surface Effect Lift with auxiliary air propulsion. Amphfoils offer the space of a power catamaran, the propulsion of a hydrofoil, and the gentle airborne ride of a surface effect vessel.