moth sailboat speed

• Moth Records
• Rules and Documents
• Meetings and Reports
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates

About the Boat

The international Moth Class is the fastest one Person Dinghy in the World.

IMCA – Committee

Shaun ritson / chief measurer, graeme southerland and franco greggi / executive committee.

Sponsored by

VIDEO: Meet the Moth, the fastest solo sailing dinghy in the world

The International Moth sailing class reaches speeds of over 30 knots and spectacular drone footage of sailor Paul Farien ‘mothing’ on Lake Garda has set the internet alight this week.

From Superinnovators 19/06/24.

According to the International Moth Class Association, the Moth is the fastest single-handed sailing dingy in the world, with a top speed record of 31.1 knots, achieved in 2011.

And incredible drone footage of Germany’s Youth America’s Cup team lead, Paul Farien, skipping across Lake Garda in the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, has clocked up millions of views online this week.

One TikTok user commented: “Bro is sailing on a pringle,” in reference to the eponymous curved wing deck used to lean on when tacking.

The class first emerged in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until enthusiasts started adding hydrofoils to their home-built moths in the 2000s that things began to take off.

The hydrofoil consists of a set of small underwater wings, front and back, that lift the entire hull out of the water, reducing drag, and boosting speed and agility.

Although some still build their own moths, several commercially manufactured boats are also available.

They’re serious bits of kit, with the eXploder mD3 Ovington Moth, retailing at £26,095 (approx. $33,218).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Farien (@paul_farien)

The next Internation Moth event sure to feature more eXploder mD3s among other models is Foiling Week, hosted by FV Malcesine sailing club on Lake Garda, Italy, 24-30th June.

Thanks to Paul Farien and Patrick Lombardi (drone) for highlighting the Moth to us and we wish Paul all the best in the Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Barcelona, 17th Sept – 13th Oct.

https://ovingtonboats.com/int-moth

http://www.internationalmoth.co.uk/

http://www.moth-sailing.org/

You may also be curious about:

Mosquitoes sense infrared from body heat to help track humans down

World’s first tri-fold mobile concept that transforms into 10-inch tablet

From amphibious hummer to mass market electric water car

Crazy bullet-shaped motorcycle from the future

18th-century mechanical dining table that lifts food from floor below

Unexpected: Simple hydrogel learns to play Pong computer game

Battery-powered urban skiing

Rocket sprinkler launches and hovers in mid-air

Layered animatronic robot head mimics singing/talking movements

Funky couch transforms into bunk beds

Convert your jetski into a small boat in 60 seconds

Indian traffic police get AC helmets

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Receive the latest innovation, emerging tech, research, science and engineering news from Superinnovators

©   Superinnovators

Browse by Category

• Coach of the Year
• High School Sailing Team of the Year
• Optimist Sailor of the Year
• Sailing Fitness
• Regatta News/Results
• Boat Speed/Tuning/Sailtrim Articles
• General Sailing News
• Coaches Locker Room
• From the Experts
• Profiles in Pro Sailing
• Featured Jobs
• Marketplace Ads
• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Sail1Design

First Name*

Email Address*

Class Profile: International Moth

February 13, 2015 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy .

One Design Classes

Browse the airwaves.

• Sailing News Articles
• High School & College News Articles
• One-Design Class Profiles
• Tactics & Strategy
• Sailing & Education
• ICSA Rankings
• Sailing/Yacht Club Profiles
• Youth Sailor of the Year
• Sail1Design Annual Awards

Helpful Links

• Join the S1D Team
• Accessibility Help
• Privacy Policy
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Moth (International)

Moth (International) is a 10 ′ 11 ″ / 3.4 m monohull sailboat designed by Open starting in 1928.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Single handed development class that has always been at the cutting edge of performance racing dinghies. The MOTH, raced today (2015), at the top tier of competition is a ‘foiler’ with wings.

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Formula Kite Class
• iQFOiL Class
• America’s CUP

MACH2 Essentials

All you need to know about the Moth class and Mach2 in particular. All the essential information regarding the boat, it's history, evolution of foiling, the designer, the sailmaker and the boat builder. There's even an introductory video and a few testimonials. Enjoy!

The Designer

Andrew 'AMAC' McDougall first became involved with the Moth class when he built his first Moth at the age of 15 in 1970.

Need some parts for your Mach2? We have a full compliment of sails, spas, foils and Mach2 spares available online.

Speed Demons

36.6 ned goss.

Is this a world record speed for a dinghy? Ned Goss in a 18-25 knot Charleston sea breeze hit a peak speed of 36.5 knots, with a 10 sec average of 35.9 knots in his MACH2. Goss’s Velocitek files were verified by Bora Gulari & Velocitek founder Alec Stewart. Take that!

30.2 Josh McKnight

Following his win at Lake Garda, 2012 World Moth Champion, Josh McKnight then set an outstanding top speed and ten second average on his Mach2. It goes to show the Mach2 / KA Sail is a killer combination!

31.5 Scott Babbage

Scott Babbage set this speed sailing his MACH2 on Sydney Harbour whilst training with Josh McKnight. Any top speed that's above 30 knots is well worth a mention, but to have a ten second average that is also above 30 knots, wow!

31.4 Hiroki Goto

Sailing at a lake in Japan near Mount Fuji, Hiroki Goto, set a very impressive top speed of 31.0 knots, only to surpassed his on record the following day with a top speed of 31.4 knots and a ten second average of 28.4 knots.

MACH2.6 Is Here

This is the fifth major upgrade in the illustrious life of the Mach2 Moth. Already it's proving to be dominant. For the complete list of upgrades and features, hit the link below

Testimonials

We take a great deal of pleasure designing, building and supporting the best foiling Moth in the world. And nothing gives us greater pleasure than the positive feedback we have received from MACH2 owners over the past 10 years. Here's a few owner testimonials........

Thanks for Visiting the MACH 2 Website

Before you go, sign up to keep up to date with all the latest MACH2 developments.

• Constitution & By-Laws
• Measurement Rules
• Vintage Measurement Rules
• Racing Divisions
• General Racing Tips
• S Curb Jibe
• Improve Your Starts
• Sailing Glossary
• Racing Rules
• This is How I Do It
• Roll Tank Deck System
• Dorr Willey Project
• Charles & Paul Doing It Right
• Little Mae Too Plans 1943
• Louis Pillon Plans
• Cole Super-Moth Plans
• Some Building Tips
• Some Material Sources
• Europe to Europa
• Wax On or Off
• Sail Cleaning Tips
• Dotan Rudder
• Simple Knots

Classic Moth Boats

Classic Moth Boats are a class of small fast singlehanded racing sailboats that originated in the US in 1929 by Joel Van Sant in Elizabeth City, NC. The Classic Moth is a monohull development class using a modified version of the International Moth rule in effect pre 1969. With an eleven foot over-all length, a maximum beam of 60 inches, a minimum hull weight of 75 pounds, 72 Sq Ft sail area, and very few other restrictions a Classic Moth can be a skiff, pram, scow, skinny tube, dinghy, or any combination thereof. The Classic Moth Boat is an ideal class for amateur designers builders and tinkerers, and can be easily built from inexpensive materials.

If you wake up in the middle of the night with a novel idea for hull shape, you can leap out of bed, race down to your garage, build it and then find out at the next regatta if your idea is hot or not. Freedom of design sets Moths apart from the clorox bottle (one-design) crowd. Instead of the one design controlling who sails successfully, we design and build Classic Moths that fit our size, ability, taste, skills, artistic expression, and pocketbook.

To broaden the appeal to race all types of Classic Moths, we have created three divisons within the class. At major regattas, all Classic Moths race together but are scored in three different divisions; a Gen 2 division for full on narrow waterline, low wetted surface designs, a Gen 1 division for more stable, higher wetted surface designs, and a Vintage division for restored Moths built before 1950.

Presently, Classic Mothboats race in many locations up and down the east coast of the United States. Regattas are currently held in Brigantine, NJ; Portsmouth, VA; Chestertown, MD; Cooper River, PA; Augusta, GA; Norfolk, VA; Elizabeth City, NC; Charleston, SC., and St. Petersburg, FL. Please refer to the regatta schedule on this site for dates and contact information.

Latest News

2022 mid winters results.

2021 Nationals Results

2020 Nationals Results

2019 race schedule..

We have quite a race schedule for 2019.   

Check it out under Schedule. 

Happy Sailing  

Susla Cates in FLA -- a nice boat for somebody -- FREE --

I finally have gotten my Dad's blessing to send the Moth on to a new owner.  Unfortunately, we did not take the boat down from its ceiling perch, so I do not have any additional photos for you. My parents are scheduled to close on their house on 8/29.  I think the new owners, who are our neighbors, would be fine if the boat was picked up soon after the closing, but if somebody miraculously could pick it up prior to 8/29, that would be amazing.   Laurie S < This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. document.getElementById('cloaka48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557').innerHTML = ''; var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addya48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557 = 'lcsusla' + '@'; addya48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557 = addya48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557 + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com'; var addy_texta48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557 = 'lcsusla' + '@' + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloaka48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557').innerHTML += ' '+addy_texta48d99a60ee8d4d32ad36a6d1e32e557+' '; >  952-212-9849   If anyone has any in-depth questions, I will get my Dad on a 3-way call with the prospective owner, however, his memory is starting to fail a bit, so there are no guarantees he can answer all questions.

We are not looking for any money, we just don't want to throw the boat in the dumpster.  As I mentioned before, it's mahogany, with no mast, boom, or sail.  It really is still quite pretty, since it's been stored indoors its whole life.   

Ed Salva - Belgium Roland Europe wood deck nick named Harry Winston

Roland Europe  with wood foils  a Forté carbon mast that is stiff and a Europe sail.

Contact Ed Salva @ Julypeapod@gmail .com. 

Jean Gruhler's Ventnor -- Ventnor Moth # 661, Maine

For sale: Ventnor Moth # 661, built by Ventnor Boat Works in West Atlantic City NJ in 1944.

The boat was rebuilt (restored) by Jean A Gruhler in both 1967 and 1991, found its way to Maine in 2014.

She would like to sail and race again, but we do not have the time.

It has a new paint job, by a professional boat builder.

Sails, spars, both rudders all in very good condition.

Has a cradle

Sale price $1,100.

early Ventnor

This is an early Ventnor with an unknown registration number. 

Sun Fun Sailor built from plans in Science & Mechanics Oct 1962

Hi, I wish to advertise and sell my Moth built by my brother in the 1960’s   For Sale : Sun Fun Sailor built from plans in Science & Mechanics Oct 1962.   Includes trailer and 2 sails. Wood construction hull, mast and boom. Hull bottom was fiberglassed when built in the 1960’s.   Located in Appleton Wisconsin.   Asking $900.00.      Contact Ron Aavang @  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. document.getElementById('cloake264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4').innerHTML = ''; var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addye264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4 = 'raavang' + '@'; addye264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4 = addye264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4 + 'new' + '.' + 'rr' + '.' + 'com'; var addy_texte264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4 = 'raavang' + '@' + 'new' + '.' + 'rr' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloake264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4').innerHTML += ' '+addy_texte264655f30ac0aa1c1c80f6156acf5e4+' ';  or call cell # (920)904-2167.

Member Links

• Mid-Atlantic Musings
• Europe Dinghy Moth
• John Shelley's Moth Boat
• Blackberry Boatworks
• Earwigoagin
• The Madmothist
• Classic Moth Boat Facebook Page

Upcoming Events

UK International Moth Site

The fastest singlehanded race dinghy

The International Moth is a high-speed , development sailing class with 90 years of continuous innovation . The modern day carbon fibre boats reach speeds of over 30 knots on hydrofoils. With the available training newcomers are becoming competitive in a short period.

Class Events

Fixtures for 2025

Get a boat, Join the Class , come and race the best!

Become a Mothie

(n.) One who is very interested in the dynamics of International Moths, particularly the foiling elements. Similar to other high performance sailors but with more tools.

It is fair to say the Moth really is the choice of boat for almost anyone, here’s a handy guide by Neil Baker to see where you would fit in…

The UK Committee are all highly enthusiastic volunteers with a deep love for the Moth who ensure you get the most from every event. We are currently a little short on personnel, if you would like to play a part then we would love to hear from you.

Chairman: Alex Adams Secretary/Treasurer/Membership: Graham Simmonds Events: Simon Hiscocks Measurement: Ricky Tagg Class Training: Ross Harvey Webmaster: Kyle Stoneham

Class measurers are located across the UK, if you need a certificate and don’t know where to go let us help…

Latest International Moth Class Rules

Join the Class

Noble Marine Parkstone Moth GP 2019

by Jason Belben. A fleet of 22 International Moths turned out for the second Noble Marine Grand Prix event of the year at Parkstone Sailing Club, Poole… Read more “Noble Marine Parkstone Moth GP 2019”

2018 UK National Champion – Jim McMillan!

The International Moth UK National Championships has come to a close in Thorpe Bay, Essex with stunning sunshine and largely light winds the dominant forces in the… Read more “2018 UK National Champion – Jim McMillan!”

Noble Marine and the Moths: Interview with Phil Kilburn

Noble Marine’s Phil Kilburn visits the International Moth UK Nationals at Thorpe Bay © Mark Jardine We spoke to Phil Kilburn of Noble Marine Insurance during the… Read more “Noble Marine and the Moths: Interview with Phil Kilburn”

Sponsors & Partners

Noble marine.

Long time sponsors of the UK Moth class, Noble Marine continue to support our events and provide members with exceptional cover. Get in touch with them for your insurance

Wetsuit Outlet

Wetsuit Outlet are Europe’s largest supplier of watersports clothing and equipment and title Sponsor of the 2019 Moth Nationals at Castle Cove sailing club. Their life long passion for sailing and commitment to stock the latest clothing and hardwear is why this partnership works so well.

Moth Manufacturers

Maverik moth – fluid composites.

Brand new for 2022, the Maverik Moth is the culmination of over three years of development from Fluid Composites . The first of the Moth 2.0 designs to come from the UK, the Maverik brings F1 tech to the class. The R&D program for 2022 introduces some exciting innovations leading up to the 2023 worlds in Weymouth.

Maguire boats

The Maguire Exocet is the current world leading Moth, designed by Kevin Ellway and manufactured by SimonMaguire in New Milton, Hampshire UK. The Exocet currently holds all major UK, European and World Championship titles.

Aardvark Racing

Mike Cooke has been sailing and building moths since before the foiling era, his innovative approach has ensured that the Rocket design remains competitive. Dylan Fletcher has proven this by taking the UK championship in 2017 and more recently the 2018 Foiling Week title on the SSD solid wing platform beating the highest level competiton.

Lennon Thinnair

It’s been a long time coming but reports that the first production Thinnairs are almost ready will be music to the ears to those on the waiting list. Mike Lennon a highly accomplished moth sailor and sail maker has been testing the prototype with some success during 2018.

So much of the moth class history had gone missing. Few people appreciated the interest there would be in old yearbooks, photos, design drawings and articles. But it seems Mothies are horders and since we posted this section, over 200 photos and scans have been sent in.

This section features yearbooks, brochures, posters etc. And the ‘archive photos’ pages have period photos. Continue reading “Archives” →

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Waszp – the new one-design foiling Moth that could make learning to fly a little less painful

• Matthew Sheahan
• September 14, 2016

As a development class, the International Moth has been a hotbed of foiling innovations over the past few years. Matthew Sheahan reports on a new accessible one-design version

Waszp on display at Foiling Week 2016, Malcesine, Lake Garda. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

If there is one class of boat that has turned more heads around the world in the last decade than any other, it must surely be the foiling Moth. Having started as more of a stunt than anything more serious, there is now no other way to race a Moth.

Fleets worldwide have grown and the experts make foiling look effortless, yet the reality is that mastering the Moth is even more difficult than carve gybing a windsurfer. Yet there is no doubt that the combination of speed, silence and extraordinary looks has been, and continues to be, a big draw.

With so few rules, the International Moth – as opposed to the ironing board-shaped British Moth – has always been at the leading edge of design and development. Famous for its laissez-faire approach, it has just a few simple rules that have resulted in some of the most radical thinking in the sport.

But not everyone is able or willing to play. For some, the pace of development got too hot when hull shapes became little more than a plank on edge. A boat that would only float the right way up if you were moving and required the balance of a cat on a fence from the helmsman was a challenge too far for many sailors.

But as we now know, there was another big hike in performance to come as the Moth took to foils. Once again, some found this a step too far, though plenty rose to the challenge and helped to create a completely new style of racing. Those who have learned to foil have left the rest of us green with envy.

One design Moth

But a new design of Moth might change all that as the long-awaited WASZP goes on sale. Conceived five years ago by Andrew McDougall, designer of the MACH2 Moth, the idea was to make a foiling Moth not only cheaper, but easier to sail.

So while the WASZP is based on the foiling Moth and conforms to the few class rules that there are, it differs fundamentally in that it is a strict one-design. But it has other advantages for the less daring.

The stern has greater volume to prevent sinking during low-speed manoeuvres and tacking. This also helps keep the boat on the foils. Pic: Gilles Martin-Raget

For starters, the wings provide sufficient buoyancy to keep the boat the right way up when stopped, and they are also adjustable to allow you to alter the angle by which they rise towards their tips – technically called dihedral.

Setting the wings flatter, that is with less dihedral, is like lowering the stabilisers on a child’s bike. The outboard ends of the wings touch the water and support you before things go pear-shaped.

Looking like a pro

As you get more proficient at keeping the kind of balance that unicyclists take for granted, you increase the dihedral to allow you to sail the boat heeled to windward.

At this point the daggerboard T-foil is hauling you to windward while you look like a pro.

Furthermore, the mast is unstayed, making it simpler to rig and, with no shrouds to act as giant cheese wires, considerably safer when you do take a tumble. The main foil and rudder lift like conventional daggerboards so it’s easier to get on and off the beach.

Fully fledged Moths have a fixed daggerboard and rudder, which are fitted when the boat is on its side, leaving you to swim out into deeper water with the boat in tow like a dog with a stick before you can right it and sail away. The reverse process is required when coming ashore.

Clearly, this is not for everyone. With delicate, expensive carbon foils, you want to get this right from the start. Few do.

The WASZP, however, has foils that can not only be lowered progressively once you’re under way, like a Laser, but are made of alloy with injection-moulded tips, making them far more robust.

A conventional daggerboard and matching T foil rudder make life easier getting afloat and back ashore. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Worth the wait

The hull is an epoxy, glass, carbon-infused composite so it is tough, but light, weighing 48kg including foils. And although that’s around 18kg heavier than a modern Moth, the WASZP is the same weight as the RS Aero, which I know from experience is light enough to carry down to the water.

And then there’s the cost. At around US$10,000 (£7,550) it is said to be half the price of a fully tricked MACH2.

The project has been a long time coming, but now it’s here with a fleet racing at the recent Foiling Week held on Lake Garda there’s a buzz going around that it was well worth the wait.

Design features

One of the keys to the WASZP is the folding wings. Set horizontally, they act as stabilisers and can be raised as you become more proficient, using different-sized wing supports. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Different sail plans for different sizes and abilities of sailor have become popular in modern single-handed dinghies. The WASZP has a choice of 5.8 sq m, 6.9sq m or 8.2sq m sails. Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

A wishbone boom system, like that on a windsurfer, dispenses with a conventional boom and kicker and makes tacking easier. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

As with the Moth, the WASZP uses a wand to control the ride height automatically using a mechanical sensor system. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

With its unstayed mast it is easy to rig, there’s no rigging to collide with when you take a tumble and it’s easier to get back aboard after a capsize. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

Extruded alloy sections and the mechanical hinge systems make for a simpler and more robust system than the composite foils in a Moth. They are also cheaper to replace. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

A concave profile bow allows better response in waves for the wand while providing greater volume forward to help prevent burying the bow during a bear away. Pic Gilles Martin-Raget

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boat Giveaway

Moths to the Flame

• By Chris Museler
• Updated: June 8, 2020

There is an eye-opening video clip posted online from the last day of the 2019 Moth Worlds in Perth, Australia. The drone follows Tom Slingsby as he tears across the finish line, winning the whole enchilada with two races to spare. In a class now populated with high-net, young professional sailors, to win 12 straight races is mind-blowing alone, but the most incredible part of this visual is the outrageous speed. Slingsby’s foils are just shy of perching the surface; there’s minuscule drag, there’s a slight twitch on the helm, and his go-for-it hiking posture is inspiring. In 20-plus knots of breeze, Slingsby, in this moment, and the entire week, is redlining his torpedo-shaped Exocet Moth. Talk about sending it.

This is a big deal. Slingsby and the rest of the top 10 at the worlds were doing nearly 20 knots upwind, a 2-knot ­difference from a year earlier. Downwind, they’re pushing 30. It’s hard to imagine so much progression can come out of such a small package, but the Moth—which has influenced modern foiling, from the America’s Cup to the little productions Skeeta and UFO, and even windfoiling—is still the highest-profile foiler on the planet. This, despite being crazy expensive at $30,000 for a new boat.

This is also a big deal because the class continues to push the high-performance fringe of the sport, from foil technology and design to sailing techniques. Incremental changes that have added up to the gains Slingsby and his buddies demonstrate have come from deck-sweeping sails, “aero packages” that reduce wind drag, and ever-shrinking foil shapes.

But let’s be real. Who can actually do what gold medalist and Cup winner Slingsby does? Very few. First, the cost of a new—or even a good used boat—is ridiculous. And the time commitment? From my two years of Moth sailing, I know the investment in time on the water alone. Simply learning how to jibe (for me, more than 21 sessions of extended lunch breaks and evening sessions) is impossible for most working folk. And don’t even mention the amount of time it takes to set up, tweak, and repair these intricate and delicate carbon machines.

Despite all these barriers, however, the class continues to grow internationally, with 122 competitors signing on to be part of Slingsby’s Southern Hemisphere Slaying. There are rank-and-file American sailors who have accepted that racing a Moth is worth every penny and minute they can muster to get around the racecourse. It’s just super-addictive, and yes, where there’s a will there’s a way to do it at your own pace and within your own budget.

Dan Flanigan, one of the few Americans to compete in the Perth Worlds, says, “If you sail once a month, it will take five years to get around the course.” He was 79th of 122 —and pumped with his finish.

Flanigan, 28, is an ­engineer and recently started his own engineering, design and build company called Kroova, in San Diego. He kept an educational and witty log of his first worlds experience in Australia. It was classic Mothie: “I had some control issues (read: multiple pitch poles and crashes)…I told my fiancé I was currently 32 out of 60 in the Silver Fleet, and from 34th on, it was DNFs and UFDs. ‘What a weird class,’ she said. I couldn’t agree more!”

Flanigan’s self-­deprecating tone is common language in a scene where the learning curve is so steep, so demoralizing, that to simply survive the process is a badge of honor. It’s entry into a community that knows the regular feeling of dopamine releases while screaming along on every downwind leg. Flanigan knew he was progressing when he reported he was 30th of 60—but ­remember, the DNFs started at 47.

Progression is a big buzzword in Moth sailing. It’s challenging to ­simply trim in the sail and get underway, then there’s perfecting your turns, there’s knowing your controls and shifting through those gears rapidly into and out of a tack.

“It was functionally too early for my first worlds,” says Flanigan, who since this past winter has been practicing after work and on weekends with 10 or so Moth sailors in San Diego. “For most people at their first worlds, the minimum sailing time has been two years. If I could let go of the feeling of being beat, I would improve quicker than the guys around me.”

Such an attitude allows him to keep an eye on the prize: progression.

Progression is a big buzzword in Moth sailing. It’s challenging to simply trim in the sail and get underway, then there’s perfecting your turns, there’s knowing your controls and shifting through those gears rapidly into and out of a tack, which, by the way, is the Holy Grail for those in the middle to bottom half of the fleet. “Once you get your first foiling tacks,” Flanigan says, “it’s a huge drug, a chemical reaction that ­happens inside you.”

About half of the silver fleet at the worlds had the “ability” to foil tack. Moth sailing is an endless progression, and Flanigan and others simply enjoy stumbling down the rocky path. “It’s easy to say, ‘Don’t focus on the results,’ but it’s hard to feel that. With the time you spend, you want to do well,” Flanigan says.

When he had a good race, he would round a mark with a whole new group of competitors. “I thought, This is a massive improvement . I made five foiling tacks the whole regatta, but it was huge gains.”

Flanigan’s goal, of course, is to “learn the boat as fast as possible, with having a job, a functional relationship—while being completely obsessed—and sail the boat as fast as possible.” He hopes five years of this approach will give him the skills to compete at the worlds each year, the rewards, he says, of hard work and commitment to fitness.

But Flanigan is not there yet. He’s on the steep end of the curve. His professional skills, though, make him a keen observer of the progression at the top of the worlds fleet. “Aero is getting more and more important as apparent windspeed gets above 30 knots upwind,” he says. Flanigan is using a Mach2, upgraded with the ubiquitous bow sprit that holds the wand out farther for steadier ride-height ­control in choppy conditions. The Mach 2.5 has no compression struts at the mast step, allowing deck-sweeping sails to take a more refined shape. Wing bars are now flared down at the back side to line up better with apparent wind while sailing upwind. “They’re playing with lift and righting moment,” he says, referring to the leeward wing bar lifting and the weather wing bar pulling down.

Although Slingsby and ­others in the top 20 raced their Exocet Moths, from Britain, and the once-dominant Mach2 is regularly in the hunt for titles, there are more new designs than ever, allowing for fine-tuning to the sailor’s weight and strength. Matt Chew, of Australia, was eighth in a Paul Bieker-designed Moth. Bieker is an innovator who has created a flush-deck Moth that has so little area for its width, many say it looks way too long to be class legal. There’s a lot less aero drag, but the new deck-sweeper sail also has no impediments such as a raised forward deck to get in the way of a perfectly fair shape. The Bieker’s flat top helps advance the deck-­sweeping concept. The effect of the new sail design is twofold: The end-plate effect reduces drag; and the lower center of effort allows for increased drive force for the same righting moment.

Because the boats are going faster, the foil shapes are changing too. Luka Damic has quickly dominated in this space with his Swift Foils, which were on the majority of the top 10. The chord lengths on the vertical foils are shorter and, especially where they meet the horizontal element, are much thinner. When you see Slingsby riding ridiculously high, he is ­trying to get every milli­meter of his vertical appendage out of the water—to reduce drag. When you’re going 30-plus knots, a few less millimeters of vertical foil in the water is a big reduction in hydrodynamic drag.

The breeding pool for American Moth sailors has been small and continues to be a moving target. Two winter series, one in Southern California and one in the Florida Keys, are really the only gatherings where racing Moths is a “thing.” But these and other pockets of Moths might be breeding something even ­better: stoked sailors.

“Personally, I had lost the joy in sailing,” says Helena Scutt, an Olympian who stopped a Nacra 17 campaign last year and then decided to focus on her engineering career. “Last year I started a journey with the Moth to put the fun back in sailing. I never want to lose that again.”

Scutt purchased an Exocet during her campaign, believing her foiling skills would translate to Nacra sailing. The campaign is over, and now she’s trying to get better in the Moth in the San Francisco Bay area. She’s an Olympic-caliber athlete, but even Scutt is on the same learning curve as every Moth sailor. “I’ve been knocked down so many times,” she says, “but I come out of the water with a grin and say, ‘That was an ­awesome wipeout.’”

Scutt, who is also the US Moth Class president, finished eighth overall in September’s North American Championship in San Diego. She is progressing nicely up the curve. “It was my first real Moth regatta,” she says. “I’m just analyzing where the gains and losses are. Boathandling is low-hanging fruit.”

The Waszp is essentially a production version of the Moth, and groups in the United States have had an easier time attracting females to the fold. Scutt points to a few Moth-specific challenges that favor the Waszp for some sailors. “The expense is a factor,” Scutt says, adding that a lot of other boats are cheaper than a Moth and “almost as much fun.” Experience in high-performance boats, like skiffs, is helpful in foiling but not prevalent among female sailors. Scutt says this has nothing to do with “capability.” It’s a matter of exposure. And being an equipment-based development class also doesn’t play into the current skills of female sailors. She adds that these factors are historical and that Moth sailing “exaggerates these factors.”

Scutt encourages all Moth sailors to reflect on the opportunities that got them into the class, and then spend a little time exposing new sailors, especially women, to the Moth. “Share your knowledge, give them a chance to try it and get hooked.”

Still, Scutt says the Moth is the tip of the spear in performance sailing. “The Moth came out of sailing; now foiling is more ubiquitous,” she says. “When I think of sailing and foiling, it’s a pretty cool time to be around and flying. A couple of years ago, we never would have imagined this.”

Moths are surely the most expensive bit of singlehanded monohull sailing kit you can own, though the price of recreational foilers is getting more reasonable. But in Mission Bay and Key Largo each winter, there will be 20 or 30 Moth sailors of every ability ripping around, tuning up, and helping one another tweak a gearing mechanism for the wand or repair a push rod on their main foil flap. Some will try to play with the likes of Slingsby, while others will simply enjoy their progression.

Flanigan’s last few posts from the worlds speak to the average Moth sailor’s attitude. “Missed tack, flipped at top mark…. When I say I have ‘good pace upwind,’ I understand fully that it is relative only to the bottom half of the fleet.” With his best race in the silver fleet being a seventh of 61 (DNFs starting from 36th), his closing comment is, “This was an awesome event.”

Slingsby, of course, would agree.

• More: foiling , moth , print 2020 spring , Racing , Sailboat Racing
• More Racing

Rivals Flush American Magic Facemask Rule Enquiry

The Reemergence of Jimmy Spithill

Running Tide Runs Swiftly Still

Mistakes And Misfires On the Final Day of Cup’s Preliminary Regatta

Emirates Team New Zealand Remain the Bullies of Barcelona

Start-Box Sparring in Barcelona on Day 2 of Preliminary Regatta

Real-time Wind Overlay Feature Added to Cup Broadcast

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

9 Facts You Must Know About Moth Sailing

Written by Jenni Briseno

Modified & Updated: 15 Jul 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Moth sailing is a thrilling and dynamic water sport that has been gaining popularity among sailing enthusiasts worldwide. This high-performance sailing class involves racing lightweight, single-manned sailboats known as Moths, which are equipped with hydrofoils that lift the hull out of the water, allowing for incredible speeds and exhilarating maneuvers. As the boats skim across the water's surface, the skill and precision of the sailors are put to the test, making Moth sailing a visually stunning and adrenaline-pumping spectacle.

In this article, we'll delve into nine fascinating facts about Moth sailing, shedding light on the history, technology, and unique aspects of this captivating sport. Whether you're a seasoned sailor, a sports enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of sailing, these insights will provide a deeper understanding of the exhilarating world of Moth sailing. So, buckle up and get ready to embark on an exciting journey through the exhilarating realm of Moth sailing !

Key Takeaways:

• Moth sailing is a thrilling water sport originating in Australia, known for its high-speed, hydrofoil-powered dinghies that “fly” above the water, offering an electrifying and dynamic experience for sailors.
• Moth sailing demands exceptional balance and agility, attracting elite sailors and innovators to constantly evolve the design and technology of these high-performance dinghies, offering an unforgettable and adrenaline-charged experience on the water.

Moth Sailing Originated in Australia

Moth sailing traces its roots back to Australia, where it was first developed in the 1920s. The innovative design of the Moth sailboat, characterized by its hydrofoil wings, revolutionized the sailing world and paved the way for a new era of high-performance sailing.

The Moth Dinghy Flies Above the Water

One of the most remarkable aspects of Moth sailing is the boat's ability to "fly" above the water. The hydrofoil wings lift the hull out of the water as the boat gains speed, resulting in an awe-inspiring and adrenaline-pumping experience for sailors.

Moth Sailors Reach Astonishing Speeds

Moth sailors are known for achieving astonishing speeds on the water. With the combination of advanced sailing techniques and the hydrofoil design, these agile dinghies can reach speeds of up to 30 knots, providing an electrifying and dynamic sailing experience.

Moth Sailing Requires Exceptional Balance and Agility

Sailing a Moth dinghy demands exceptional balance, agility, and finesse from the sailor. As the boat skims across the water's surface and takes flight on its hydrofoils, the sailor must skillfully maneuver the craft while maintaining equilibrium, making it a physically and mentally demanding sport.

The International Moth Class Association Governs the Sport

The International Moth Class Association (IMCA) serves as the governing body for Moth sailing worldwide. This organization establishes the rules and standards for Moth dinghy design and competition, ensuring fair and competitive racing across the globe.

Moth Sailing Attracts Elite Sailors and Innovators

Moth sailing has garnered a dedicated following among elite sailors and sailing innovators. The sport's technical complexity and the constant pursuit of speed and performance have attracted some of the most skilled and inventive sailors, contributing to the continuous evolution of Moth dinghy design and sailing techniques.

Moth Dinghies Are Constantly Evolving

The design and technology of Moth dinghies are in a perpetual state of evolution. Sailors and boat designers are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, seeking to enhance the speed, stability, and maneuverability of these high-performance sailing craft.

Moth Sailing Championships Showcase Top-tier Competition

Moth sailing championships bring together the world's top-tier sailors to compete in exhilarating races. These high-stakes events showcase the incredible skill and daring of Moth sailors as they navigate challenging courses and push the limits of speed and agility on the water.

Moth Sailing Offers an Unforgettable Experience

Moth sailing offers enthusiasts an unforgettable and adrenaline-charged experience on the water. Whether racing competitively or leisurely gliding across the waves, the thrill of harnessing the wind's power and skimming across the water's surface in a high-speed Moth dinghy is an experience like no other.

Moth sailing embodies the perfect blend of technical prowess, exhilarating speed, and the sheer joy of harnessing the elements, making it a truly unique and captivating sport.

Moth sailing is a thrilling and dynamic sport that demands skill, agility, and a deep understanding of wind and water dynamics. As sailors harness the power of nature to glide across the water's surface, they experience an exhilarating connection with the elements. The technical finesse required to master the Moth sailboat makes it a challenging yet immensely rewarding pursuit for enthusiasts. With its rich history and continuous evolution, Moth sailing continues to captivate both seasoned sailors and newcomers, offering an unparalleled blend of adrenaline, strategy, and sheer enjoyment on the open water . Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a curious onlooker, the world of Moth sailing beckons with its unique blend of tradition, innovation, and pure excitement.

What makes Moth sailing unique? Moth sailing stands out for its use of hydrofoils, which allow the boat to lift out of the water, resulting in thrilling high-speed rides and a unique connection with the water and wind.

Is Moth sailing suitable for beginners? While Moth sailing can be challenging due to its technical demands, beginners can start with smaller sail sizes and receive guidance from experienced sailors to gradually build their skills and confidence on the water.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

The Worldwide Leader in Sailmaking

• Sail Care & Repair
• Sailing Gear
• Find A Loft
• Sail Finder
• Custom Sails
• One Design Sails
• Flying Sails
• New Sail Quote
• 3Di Technology
• Helix Technology
• Sail Design
• NPL RENEW Sustainable Sailcloth
• Sailcloth & Material Guide
• Polo Shirts
• Sweaters & Cardigans
• Sweatshirts & Hoodies
• Accessories
• Summer Sale
• Shop the look
• Mid & Baselayers
• Deckwear & Footwear
• Luggage & Accessories
• Spring Summer '24
• North Sails x 37th America's Cup
• Sailor Jackets
• SALT X North Sails
• NS x Slowear
• T-shirts & Tops
• Sailor Jacket
• Sustainability
• North Sails Blog
• Sail Like A Girl
• 37th America's Cup
• Icon Sailor Jacket
• Our Locations
• Certified B Corporation
• North SUP Boards
• North Foils
• North Kiteboarding
• North Windsurfing

SAIL FINDER

SAILING GEAR

COLLECTIONS & COLLAB

COLLECTIONS

WE ARE NORTH SAILS

ACTION SPORTS

Popular Search Terms

Organic cotton

Scuba fleece

Drawstring hood

Utility pocket

Stand collar

Sorry, no results for ""

Subscription

Welcome aboard.

We want to make our emails as relevant as possible for you.

Interests saved

Something went wrong, please try again

Welcome to North Sails

Stay up to date with the latest North Sails news.

Receive a 10% discount code for your first apparel order. Excludes sails and SUP’s. See our Terms and Conditions .

Yes, I agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

HOW TO RIG A FOILING MOTH

How to rig a foiling moth in 20 steps, dan neri gets ready to sail this singlehanded foiler.

When I first set up my Moth, I broke a lot of stuff. Since then I’ve learned what to do (and what not to do) and in what order. First, bring everything to the beach. Set the foils off to the side, safely out of the way of the boat and any spectators.

Rig sail and spreaders

Step the mast

Note: My boat has an adjustable headstay, so I can step the mast with the headstay adjustment at its loosest setting. If you have a fixed headstay, you’ll need to use a longer temporary headstay.

Install blades

Final adjustments

20. Go find your hat if you are bald, and your cheapest sunglasses. Take off the foil covers. Ready to go sailing!

Read Moth Newbie: Dan Neri Learns to Foil

GET IN TOUCH

REQUEST A QUOTE

BROWSE ALL SAILS

FIND YOUR SAIL

Featured stories, offshore sailing guide, how to care for your foul weather gear, npl renew faq.

• Refresh page