Rafale ETS is ready!

With a fresh academic year, Rafale is evolving and growing stronger. Since FSMC 2024, we have welcomed nearly 15 new members to the team, significantly enhancing our expertise in various fields. Amory Janin has taken on the role of Captain, with Nicolas Duflos as Co-Captain and Ailish continuing as Treasurer. We are also excited to introduce Alexandre Crône as our new Communications Leader. Among the new recruits, Juan is focusing on foil development, Alix on Life Cycle Assessment, and Daniel on Business Intelligence.

Our mission remains unchanged: pushing the boundaries of engineering and sustainable innovation while competing at the highest level. With this reinforced team structure, we are better prepared to take on the challenges of FSMC 2025.

Challenges Towards FSMC 2025

Stage S2 Challenges: Sustainable Foil Manufacturing

One of our biggest technical challenges this year is to develop high-performance foils without using prepreg carbon fiber. Instead, we are exploring basalt fiber infusion, aiming for a balance between efficiency, sustainability, and stability in high-wind conditions. Additionally, we are redesigning our wings and gantry to optimize aerodynamics and reduce weight, ultimately improving our boat’s overall performance.

Stage S3 Goals: Longer and More Stable Flights

From our experience in 2024, we identified key areas for improvement, including better weight distribution, foil optimization, and refining our electronic control systems. By enhancing our electronic wand system, we aim to achieve greater consistency in flight and reduce manual adjustments, allowing the skipper to focus on racing performance.

Lessons from FSMC 2024 and why we are coming back

Our participation in FSMC 2024 provided invaluable insights into optimizing our boat’s setup. While we saw improvements in our hull, foils, and gantry, we faced challenges in fine-tuning our performance. Our goal for 2025 is to build on this foundation, ensuring our skipper is well-prepared and that our electronic systems deliver precise and reliable performance. By making these refinements, we expect Rafale 5 to be our most competitive boat yet.

Rafale ETS is no stranger to the SuMoth Challenge. Since 2022, we have proudly represented Canada in this global competition, continuously improving our designs and pushing technological boundaries. From our first foiling moth, Rafale III, to our latest iteration, we have refined our mechanical analysis and sailing techniques while strengthening our presence in the sailing community.

FSMC 2025 represents another opportunity to challenge ourselves, innovate, and compete with the best student teams in the world. Our passion for sustainable engineering and performance-driven design keeps us motivated as we prepare for this next chapter.

Key Projects for FSMC 2025

  • New High-Wind Foils: Optimized for strong winds, our new foils will be made using basalt fiber to enhance sustainability without compromising structural integrity.
  • Electronic Wand System: Replacing the traditional mechanical wand, our servo-controlled system will autonomously regulate flight height and trim, improving performance and reducing manual workload for the skipper.
  • Lightweight Gantry: A redesigned gantry will lower drag and weight, optimizing hydrodynamics and aerodynamics.
  • Foil Remanufacturing: We are refining last year’s main foil design to eliminate drag-inducing imperfections and enhance speed.
  • Rigging Optimization: A new rigging system will provide consistency and ease of adjustment between foiling sessions.
  • Eco-Friendly Spreader: Our new spreader will be manufactured using repurposed carbon hockey sticks, reducing material waste while maintaining strength.
  • Redesigned Wings: Lower-positioned, lightweight wings made from flax and basalt fibers will improve ease of boarding and overall handling.

Looking Ahead

As we gear up for FSMC 2025, we remain committed to pushing innovation while embracing sustainable engineering. Our past experiences have shaped our current strategies, and with a strong team, cutting-edge projects, and valuable lessons learned, we are excited for the challenges ahead.

Stay tuned as we continue our journey—see you on the water!

For more updates, follow us on our official channels and stay connected with our journey towards FSMC 2025!