Infiniti 56C, the first performance cruiser fitted with Dynamic Stability Systems foils

Infiniti Performance Yachts unveiled its Infiniti 56C, the first performance blue water cruiser in the market to reap the benefits of Dynamic Stability Systems foils.
“The Infiniti 56C redefines the performance cruising market,” said Britton Ward, vice president and senior naval architect at Farr Yacht Design, the firm who carried out the design of the vessel. “We have designed a stylish, modern yacht, with a deck and interior arrangement equally suited to offshore passage making as well as entertaining at anchor.”
Thanks to the added righting moment and lift provided by the retractable DSS foil, the yacht will be capable of high average speeds, resulting in significantly shorter passage times, in all conditions: in stronger winds, the faster the boat goes, the more lift and righting moment the DSS foil provides; in lighter winds the foil is simply retracted, leaving a clean, easily-driven hull shape. The increased sailing performance of the boat, which will be more effective in light winds compared to a cruising yacht not featuring the DSS, will help reduce the use of motors.
The DSS foil, deployed to leeward, creates vertical lift which, thanks to the design of the foil, increases with boat speed (hence the ‘D’ in DSS), providing more righting moment and reducing the heel by as much as 10-12°. The DSS “not only provides increased righting moment and reduced displacement, but it allows the boat to sail at significantly lower heel angles and with reduced pitching motion compared to anything else in class”.
Infiniti 56C features a modern, low drag hull form, coupled with a modern deck saloon. A further benefit of the DSS foil is that it allows maximum beam to extend fully aft so interior volume can be optimised thus giving excellent scope for accommodation. The interior, whose design has been carried out by Design Unlimited, integrates seamlessly with the cockpit, sailing and entertaining spaces. Three double cabins, all with en-suite head compartments and generous storage space, will accommodate guests in full comfort.
The Infiniti 56C is available with an optional lifting keel. Lowering the keel to its maximum draft of 4m enables a smaller, lower drag bulb to be fitted, resulting in a lighter displacement under sail with extra stability provided when it is required by the DSS foil. Raising the keel reduces the draft to just 2.5m making for easy access to port or shallow anchorages. The boat features twin rudders providing a well-balanced helm, easily driven by an autopilot in all conditions.