Andrew McDougall of KA Sail, designer of the MACH2 Moth, spent several years developing the Waszp with a group of high-performance tinkerers. Hundreds of build slots were sold before production came online midway through the year.
At 11 feet overall, with a 7.38-foot beam and a displacement of 106 pounds, the Waszp is a minimalist singlehanded platform. Its cat rig carries 88.26 square feet of sail, and the boat has a daggerboard and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 63.05, signaling an appetite for speed under modest canvas.
Design and Construction
The Waszp’s hull is built from an epoxy, glass, carbon-infused composite. It is tough but light, weighing 48 kg including foils—the same as an RS Aero. Compared with high-end Moths, the epoxy hull is described as bulletproof. Its greater hull volume and larger foils also accommodate a wider range of sailor weights than a Moth.
Extra volume in the stern helps prevent it from sinking during low-speed manoeuvres and tacking, while the wings provide enough buoyancy to keep the boat upright when stopped. A concave bow profile improves wand response in waves and adds volume forward, helping to avoid burying the bow in a bear away.
The foils use extruded alloy sections, injection-moulded tips, and mechanical hinge systems. This arrangement is simpler and more robust than composite Moth foils, as well as cheaper to replace.
Rig, Foils, and Handling
The Waszp has an unstayed mast, which simplifies rigging, leaves no standing rigging to strike during a tumble, and makes recovery after a capsize easier. The two-piece carbon mast fits in the travel box. An aluminum wishbone boom provides leech tension while eliminating a conventional boom and kicker, easing tacks.
The wings have adjustable dihedral. Flatter settings act like stabilisers on a child’s bike, and sailors can pin the wings lower or raise them with different supports as their skills develop.
A worm screw on the main foil governs ride height. It can be adjusted while sailing through a line led to the wings, while the rudder gantry and wand provide further tuning for advanced conditions. The wand acts as a mechanical sensor, automatically controlling ride height.
The foils lift like conventional daggerboards for straightforward beach handling and can be lowered progressively once the boat is under way. In 10 knots of breeze, a 200- to 215-pound sailor can generate enough flow for flight. Takeoff speeds are similar to a Moth’s, but the Waszp has lower top-end speeds and is more forgiving to sail.
One-Design Class and Culture
The maker describes the Waszp class as more than a boat: a movement and global family that builds independence, resilience, and connection. Owners report that regattas double as social events and travel opportunities. The boat has also been a turning point for younger sailors discovering a faster, more dynamic style of dinghy racing.
The Waszp_X junior foiler allows a child to change rigs as they grow while keeping the same hull. It aims to feel safe while remaining exciting enough to keep young sailors engaged.
The class has established itself as a development pathway for the next generation of foilers. The 2025 Games drew 115 boats across three divisions, and Waszps dominated Foiling Week 2026 on Lake Garda.
Ownership and Practicalities
The Waszp can be disassembled quickly, packed into its travel box, and stored in a garage. A fiberglass travel-box upgrade is also available.
It is purpose-built as a singlehanded, entry-level one-design foiler, so the required crew is one. The builder claimed that the package costs about half as much as a fully tricked MACH2, putting accessible foiling within reach of club sailors.
Verdict
The Waszp succeeds as a robust, forgiving introduction to foiling. It gives up some of a Moth’s top speed in return for greater durability and a wider weight range. Its unstayed rig, progressively lowered foils, and adjustable wings ease the learning curve without removing the excitement, while the class culture helps keep newcomers engaged.
Pros
- Epoxy-composite hull and alloy foils are far more robust than composite Moth parts and cheaper to replace
- Unstayed rig and wishbone boom simplify rigging, tacking, and reboarding after a capsize
- Adjustable wings and on-the-fly ride-height control allow sailors to build confidence progressively
- Strong one-design class with a social scene and a developmental pathway
Cons
- Lower top-end speeds than a Moth
- Singlehanded only and limited to a one-design racing format
