The Formula100 spirit
The spirit of the F100 is first of all the pleasure provided by races between swift, gliding and sharp monohulls. Furthermore, a certain excitment is found in the possibility of freely testing and confronting architectural options in view of validating new concepts. With the aim of facilitating transport and by consequence, multiplying the oppotunities of navigation, a restricted bulk offers greater flexibility and provides absolute mobility as well as an adapted behaviour for on sea navigation.

The existing class rules
Many rules concerning rc sailing exist and are internationally observed. A legitimate question can be asked : why not build models which fit in these rules to share with others the pleasures of fleet regattas?

Let's have a look at the existing class:

The M class (Marblehead): Practised in many countries at a very high level, the M class allows a clever navigation, usually on lakes. This class being quite restrictive (sail area and sail form fixed), the quality of adjustment, of setting and of the sailor are essential; which leads to similiar performances between boats. On the other hand, major innovations regarding hull and rig are rare, and the highly technical evolutions are a matter of detail improvement and construction methods.
These boats mesure 1.27 m long and their masts are approximately 2 m high, which makes transport difficult.


The International One Meter (IOM): The 1 m monohull, "economical jauge" forbides the use of certain materials for its construction. Being an alternative to the M class, the 1 m class was established to reach a larger number of people. The boats are less technical and the restrictions set upon them limit the audacity in the architectural choices which could be made. The minimum weight is of 4000grs for a maximum sail area of 0.5161m², this limitation do not permit to build fast surfing hulls.

The 2m class: Two meter long multihull, not easy to transport without a pickup! But very impressive in good wind conditions. There is also the "mini40" class derivated from the 2m class, boats are 1,20m long and sail area is limited to 0,9m², fast and fun, not very easy to transport and best on calm waters.

None of this rules were compatible with our goals: We wanted fast boats, for sailing on lake as on sea, and open to any new architectural innovation, futhermore we wanted boats with a limited size to keep the transport possible in a back pack!

Mini-Mini 6,50
Little brothers of the existing Mini 6.50 open rules ones, we built boats 6.50 decimeter long, the Mini-Mini 6,50 was born... The boats were very fun and we sailed with them for many years. The first models were "hand made" with samba wood, the last ones molded with carbon or glass. The small size of the boats compared to the size of waves that one meets in mediterranean harbors was the main problem and the other limitation was the part of the weight due to the RC equipment. Boats were difficult to control and they were only able to surf when weather conditions were ideal. Then we decided to build longer boats for surfing easier, but we wanted to keep them the smallest possible, to ensure that their transportation could be ensured in a bag pack...

Formula 80
We have adapted the principles of the MiniMini 6.50 rules in 80cm, which gave birth to the Formula80 class. These were a real success! The boats were surfing as real 60' open, the large hulls and big sail areas associated to the light weight of the machines gave them the power to surf and to sail in big waves. Here are some videos of the F80s sailing in the sea (Quicktime plugin required):

Formula 100
A few years later while having a beer in a Parisian bistrot, far away from the oceanic sprays and from the mediterranean wind, the need for speed sailing was back in our minds...
The idea of starting a new project, with lighter boats, better design and construction methods, faster monohulls, more extreme and modern, was brought up.
We then decided to increase the size of the boats to 100 cm (no more) in order to keep them mobile and to allow the existing IOMs to satisfy the same rules.

The Formula 100 was born!