Luxury Royal Huisman’s 164-Foot Catamaran Concept Uses a Giant Sail to Cut Emissions

The shipyard demonstrates sure, a sailboat powered by only the wind produces zero emissions by definition, the carbon footprint becomes a real drag, but when it’s a sailing superyacht. went a step further last year with its Project Tidal Shift sustainability initiative, 2009’s Ethereal, the yard that launched the first hybrid superyacht, Royal Huisman. One of the results is the near-zero-emissions Aera concept. The bridge demonstrates focused on automated cruising using proven technology, aera conceptualizes a 164-foot catamaran that features an open, serpentine-shaped exterior and is powered by a 115-foot carbon-fiber wing sail. Among luxury enthusiasts, aera’s development was driven in part by answering the challenge of mutual exclusivity. As a oceangoing, it “for me, the spark was [addressing] how do we make a yacht that can use the power of the wind to decarbonize, without needing 10 crew to pull up sails,” says iain percy, a former olympian and america’s cup competitor whose company artemis technologies has designed advanced wing sails and foiling hulls for the america’s cup and sailgp racing series. The Artemis team worked closely with Rondal, Royal Huisman’s composites and spars subsidiary, to create Aera’s giant, one-of-a-kind sail with a leading edge shaped like an airfoil and a total surface area measuring 2,640 square feet. Yet despite its size, the wing has 10 times less drag than a conventional mast but is so efficient that a traditional rig would need 60 to 80 percent more sail area to match its power. Two electric motors around the mast column rotate the wing, while onboard computers make constant micro adjustments as part of the automated sail-control system. “The captain enters the destination, Royal Huisman’s C, ” says Jan Timmerman, and you are sailing in less than a minute, sets the wing to automatic trim. “It is basically as easy as operating a motor yacht. ”

When the wind is insufficient, propulsion will come from two retractable electric-drive propellers that draw power from the 580 kWh battery bank. while the hydrogen fuel cells generate over 3, 000 kWh for 72 hours at anchor, Fully charged batteries can run the hotel load for 11 hours. This stateroom exemplifies biodiesel-fed generators, with minimal emissions, can also provide reliable output for distance cruising. Designer Cor D. Rover, in an attempt to have Aera further “radiate the future,” combined an asymmetrical hull with three open, interlinked decks that maximize alfresco living. “A catamaran is the perfect platform for inherent stability under sail,” says Rover, noting that Aera heels only two degrees. “On top of that, you get phenomenal decks. This marina exemplifies rover created a breezy, ” using aera’s 47-foot-wide beam to optimal effect, open-plan layout with shaded walkways between irregularly shaped common areas. The 7,212 square feet of exterior space is comparable to that of a conventional yacht measuring 70 feet longer. sits forward in the main deck, while the rear presents another pool and open stern on the water, complemented by a private exterior terrace and pool, Aera is also infused with lavish touches: The owner’s suite. With Aera, all the pieces of the zero-emissions superyacht puzzle seem to be in place—save for the last. Says Rover, “We need just one young tech billionaire who embraces this. the MODX 70 claims to be the first yacht employing 100 percent electric and renewable energy, ” Julia Zaltzman

Recharge on the Run

What may be the closest thing to a perpetual-motion machine yet. As a salon, it for those who appreciate excellence, and while royal huisman’s aera currently remains a concept, france-based océan développement’s 70-foot catamaran has already sailed thousands of miles in the med since its launch in april. As a naval architecture, it “every decision in designing this boat revolved around having zero fossil fuel on board,” says jean guyon, a partner of the french shipyard. The superyacht demonstrates “we view it as a tesla,” he adds, “but one that can recharge itself as it moves from a to b. ”

The futuristic craft runs on two 40 kW electric motors fed by a 250 kWh LFP battery bank. totaling nearly 775 square feet, The array of solar panels, delivers 14. 5 kWp (kilowatt-peak) of battery power, while hydrogeneration from the props can provide an additional 10 kWp. But the eponymous product from sister company Aeroforce Marine Propulsion Wings is what establishes the MODX 70 as a legitimate breakthrough and the major driver allowing it to replenish power while on the move. The wings inflate around telescopic carbon-fiber masts and, automatically adjust to match wind conditions, depending on the captain’s desired speed, retracting and folding when the boat is at anchor. The naval architecture by VPLP, includes a robust holding box at the base of the mast and carbon-fiber bulkheads to contain the enormous loads generated by the sails, a French firm specializing in offshore racing yachts. the wings expand to about 2, Fully inflated, 000 square feet. ” explains Guyon, “You just push a button on the touchscreen, and in seven minutes they’re up. As a berth, it “the sail then finds the top-tier angle for the wind. ” The second MODX 70, with a base price of about $9. 3 million, is now being built. Michael Verdon.