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TYPES AND CLASSES OF SANDYACHTS

CLASS 2

This is currently the largest sandyacht. As the big brother of Class 2, it has the same technical qualities with a sail area of 8 m2 to 11,3 m2, an axle of 3,65 m minimum and an impressive overhaul length. Some still have a double steering wheel, one for the direction and one for lining the sail. The pilot is either half-sat or laying in the sandyacht. This type of sandyach is mainly met in the North of France and in Belgium.

CLASS 3

It was first seen in the 1960’s. It is a streamlined yacht with the pilot stretched out in a yacht made of synthetic materials. Under good wind conditions, it can go as fast as about 120 km per hour. Class 3 gauge : Area of propulsion: 7.35 m2 – Width: 3.5 m – Front/rear wheelbase: 3.8 m – Minimum weight: 100 kg – Maximum mast height: 6.10 m.

Formula A: Formula A Class was introduced to allow new racers to use a safer Class 3 at a lower cost. Area of propulsion: 7.35 m2 – Width: 3.5 m – Front/rear wheelbase: 3.8 m – Minimum weight: 110 kg – Maximum mast height: 0.30 m

CLASS 5 SPORTS

It was first seen during the 1980 Worldwide Championships. It was designed to be more accessible than Classes 2 and 3 impressive sandyachts and give the opportunity to drivers to practice on smaller beaches. Over 30 years, Class 5 has witnessed the greatest developments both on the shape of the frame and on the evolution of riggings. It has become a technologically sophisticated sandyacht through the use of increasingly lighter and stronger materials. In other words, it is a versatile, fast, light and responsive sandyacht which can adapt to any kind of beach. Area of propulsion: 5,5 m2 – Width: 2 m – Front/rear wheelbase: 2,5 m – Minimum weight: 50 kg – Rear wheels: 26’’

CLASS STANDART

Created in 1989, this is a human-sized monotype between Class 3 and Class 5. With power accelerations almost equivalent to Class 3, the driving ability equaling the one of Class 5 and an excellent safety in strong winds, Class Standart makes it very easy for beginners to get used to it. Its ergonomic design and the quick adjustability of the rudder bar mean that it can be driven by people between 1,50 m and 2 m in height. When disassembled, wheels, axles, sail and the top of the mast can be stored in the shell of the yacht (it can also be fitted in a car rack). Thanks to the positions of the axles, the steel and aluminum frame sustains the polyester shell making it a safety bumper for the pilot. Such a design makes an excellent obstacle clearing coefficient for water tanks, for example. Dimensions: the 6 m2 sail includes cambers (three-part tubular mast) – Weight: 70 kg – Length: 4 m – Width: 2,5 m

PROMO CLASS

This is a replica of the Class 5 Sports and it was designed to be versatile and strong and meant to be more readily accessible for all and at all levels : small wheels, Dacron and no aluminum sail. The width of the sandyacht is no more than 2 m, the mast is 5,35 m, sail area 5,50 m2 and its minimum weight is 50 kg. This is the French Junior Championships sandyacht ; as a result of its many modifications, it was necessary to create two divisions within this class, D1 for the best pilots and D2 for all the others, in 2008.

CLASS 8

More commonly known as the kite yacht, Class 8 is a wheeled vehicle propelled by kite traction. The most common shape of the kite yacht is that of a three-wheel bike mounted with inflatable wheels of an average height of 400 mm. 90% of the models consist of a stainless steel frame which length ranges from 1,50 m to 2 m. The pilot is seated in their sandyacht and steers with their feet, which rest on the steering pedals located in the front fork. The arms are used to drive the kite. Easy to use and fairly compact, these machines can be totally dismantled and stored in a car boot. Since 2009, there have been 2 series of Class 8 with the arrival of Class 8 Promo and its less expensive sandyacht with a more restrictive gauge which is suitable for seniors and juniors alike.

CLASS 7

As per the FISLY International Rules and Regulations, a Class 7 yacht is « a yacht that can be driven while standing up, the mast standing up vertically thanks to the pilot ». This class is better known as « Speed-sail®», which is a trade mark, a landboard or a skateboard with inflatable wheels. This class links skateboard rules with a larger and wider skateboard and a windsurf board. Conceived by a windsurfer, this machine has become very popular because of its reasonable price, its little cumbersomeness and the excellent sensations it can give. As a real sport, it has thousands of pilots.

KITE YACHTS

Small in terms of dimensions, weight, turning radius, etc, but large in terms of potential: suitable for all types of sand, strong accelerations, easy to carry, mini-yachts catch the attention on traditional sports areas and open up inland spaces. The mini-yachts which were part of several expeditions in 2009 in Africa, Americas, Asia, Oceania, are also very useful for expeditions. The majority of manufacturers sells them: Blokart®, Ludic®, Plume Kart®, Sailkart®, VKart®, X-Sail®...

RADIO-REMOTE-CONTROLLED YACHTS

They will be competing for the first time and will race twice. The first race will be organised as a prologue and will count one radio-remote-controlled yacht per country. It will be driven by one or more pilots chosen by the country. For the race, radio-remote-controlled yachts (monotype “class 1” type) will be made available to pilots and drawn at random before the race.

The second race, more classic, will see the pilots selected by each country compete within the frame of the official program of the Championships. A Championships or a European title will be granted according to the rules sets by FISLY.