Sheffield's new SuMoth

Welcome to SuMoth, the University of Sheffield’s new student-led project. A group of engineering students are teaming up to build a sustainable moth class sailing dinghy designed and manufactured by the students themselves. The plan is to start construction in 2026 and as soon as possible to join other teams to race in Italy's Lake Garda. They’ll be competing against 7 other nations and 15 universities all determined to be the fastest. This year our team, SPF (Sheffield Performance Foiling) is blazing through the design phase- lets home the competition brings their suncream!

Moth dinghies are single handed, high performance sailing dinghies, which in this case will be a foil boat. With the help of the hydrofoil and lightweight hull these boats can reach staggering speeds up to 30 knots - around 35 miles an hour. 

Built with sustainable materials which replace carbon fibre, a composite of basalt and flax fibre is used - yes you heard me! Flax, a plant common to the UK. Flax is renewable, biodegradable and more cost effective than carbon fibre. Flax is also being used for the hydrofoil, which like an aeroplane wing for water, generates lift and brings the moth above the water decreasing drag.  Our team has already begun the design phase with around 30 students already involved and many more interested. 

This challenge was brought to Sheffield University by our project leader Adam Auret, who lived in Italy for a few years learning the ins and outs of these boats. Pete Cowley, the Systems and Rigging Lead, is also a race captain of University of Sheffield, regularly training on the nearby reservoirs. So this project is definitely in good hands!

Even though we are starting from scratch with a new website, social media, and youtube channel we are eager to make a splash in the SuMoth challenge. 

It may seem strange to have a sailing project in Sheffield where we’re surrounded by heather clad hills and are miles from the sea. However, the sailing community is huge among the students, especially those studying mechanical engineering. As a new project, we still need sponsors, so if you know anyone who’d be interested, please let us know!

Organising a project like this is a tricky task but so far we are off to a flying start, we are motivated, passionate and the innovation our teams of engineers are bringing will blow your socks off.  

Written by Jack Bluck Foster

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