HULL & WING CONSTRUCTION

The Vortex pod racer is beautifully balanced. 

The hulls and Pontoons are a full pre-preg carbon fibre foam core construction. The Vortex pod racer is hand finished, sprayed with 2K polyurethanes in a temperature controlled and dust-free environment. The wings are pre-preg carbon torsional beams with wing fairings, taking the torsional loads of the foils and rig.

JOYSTICK FLIGHT CONTROL

The V-Pilot flies the Vortex like a plane, controlling the trim and heel (bank) with a joystick, and using foot pedals to steer. 

The joystick system is a simple block and tackle. It’s light, easy to maintain and tune.

By the V-Pilot giving windward heel, the Vortex pod racer can power itself up with minimal effort required from the V-pilot. This will push the Vortex-pod racer to next-level acceleration. 

The joystick’s lateral movement enables you to heel (bank) the Vortex pod racer to windward, gaining righting moment and stability, and with less lift on the windward foil it will help you for the take off. The fore and aft movements control the pod racer’s trim, trimming the bow up and down for downwind and upwind sailing accordingly.

FOOT PEDALS

The foot pedals control the steering system, which uses a very lightweight rope. Simply push the port pedal to turn to port and the starboard pedal to turn to starboard. The foot pedals are on tracks with pin stops and adjustable fore and aft, to allow for different user heights.

ROPE CONTROL SYSTEMS

The cockpit rope system looks complicated but in fact is very simple. All rope controls are led into the cockpit allowing the V-pilot to operate all systems from the safety and comfort of the cockpit seat.

MAINSAIL & JIB SYSTEMS

Essentially there are only two control ropes used while sailing. There’s the mainsheet, which is centred in the cockpit allowing for right or left hand use, and then the jib sheets run to the cockpit’s port and starboard.

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The main halyard is on a simple over cam system. It locks when you hoist and when you over hoist it unlocks. The jib halyard is run back to the cockpit and cleats off on a simple cam cleat. There’s a Cunningham purchase system located neatly inside the mast tube to tighten luff of main sail and out haul on a purchase system neatly inside boom.

The boom vang system is a simple multi purchase system running to the cockpit.

RIG & SAIL

The Vortex pod racer is outfitted with 3Di RAW from North Sails. 3Di RAW is the lightest weight and fastest tier of the North Sails unique 3D molded sail technology. These one design sails are pure performance. Because of its unequaled level of shape-holding and sail stability, 3Di has dominated Grand Prix racecourses, ocean-racing leaderboards, and one design podiums worldwide. The Vortex 3Di RAW sails will stand up to a steep learning curve for beginners while providing a high-performance experience from day one for more seasoned sailors. In a boat that demands stability at high speed, 3Di RAW delivers steady power.

FOIL CONSTRUCTION & DEPLOYMENT

The carbon fibre foils are designed to be stable at speed, allowing the V-Pilot to soar like a graceful bird or with the aggressive dynamics of a fighter jet.

The Vortex pod racer can be launched direct off the beach or via a ramp. Once in the water, the rudder and forward T-foils are easily deployed and retracted from the cockpit controls. 

The forward T-Foils have two functions; the first is to give you automatic lift through the wand system with no input required from the V-pilot, then by using the joystick the heel (bank) can be controlled. This is done by shortening the wand linkage system via the spring slider, and this in turn adjusts the angle of the flaps of the main foils.

The rudder has a similar system but operates off the rudder lift arm with three lines, which are: rudder down, rudder up and rudder lock with a single set position.

ELECTRONICS

The Vortex pod racer features x3 Sailmon MAX displays with Windex, which allow for different electronic read outs simultaneously, so the V-pilot can concentrate on flying while gaining maximum data feedback. MAX features a built-in, fast GPS and advanced 9-axis compass, which generate the most accurate sailing data such as heading, speed, wind, and course over ground. In addition, MAX contains a ping function, countdown timer, distance, and time to start line. All data is presented on a clear transflective 320 x 240 pixels 4.4” LCD with anti-reflective front glass for maximum display clarity in all daylight conditions. The powerful 3600mAh lithium-polymer battery ensures that the MAX can be used all day long. And with the Sailmon app, you can relive every trip. All results are visualised on a clear timeline and map. Share and compare your detailed insights with friends, training partners and competitors!

SAFETY

The Vortex pod racer is a 30-knot boat and with safety in mind, we highly recommend you to purchase a Vortex safety helmet. The foils are designed to be stable at speed, allowing the V-Pilot to soar like a graceful bird or with the aggressive dynamics of a fighter jet.