In the 1550s, a three-masted ship-rigged vessel was the pinnacle of sailing technology. In the almost 475 years since, aerodynamic advances have sped things up a bit, allowing sailing vessels to go farther faster and with less dependence on fair winds.

Enter California-based startup Outsail, which, at the recent Düsseldorf International Boat Show, debuted an innovative approach to harnessing the wind: a carbon-fiber airfoil wing. The wing will stand 98 feet tall aboard an Outsail 60 catamaran, which will be the first cruising yacht to employ the technology. The wing is concealed within a box through tape-spring technology—a metallic strip similar to what is used in satellites for low mass, low cost, and overall simplicity.  

According to Outsail founder and CEO Arpan Rau, the Outsail 60 is a CE-class yacht that can cruise using only the energy of the sun and wind. Unlike a conventional sailing yacht, it will be able to travel at any angle relative to the wind, and compute its own optimal route. However, like a conventional catamaran, it will also have many conveniences of powerboating—minus the noise and fuel burn that come with diesel engines.

Rau, a robotics engineer who has designed flight hardware for NASA and SpaceX, is a self-described addict when it comes to the force of wind. His casual interests range from paragliding to sailing. He says that there are three pillars of wingsail technology: to provide useful thrust while sailing nearly directly into the wind; to provide useful propulsion at vessel speeds that turn other sails into parachutes; and to work hand-in-hand with an engine, enabling new forms of hybrid propulsion.

Though, according to Rau, the most important pillar of the wingsail’s performance is planning software.

“We found that by using clever software, our wind-powered vessels can plan routes that keep them powered for their entire journey,” Rau says. “They could decide, for example, when it made sense to power through a high-pressure zone using their electric motors, and when to skirt around and save energy for later.”

Outsail recently closed a seed round of funding from Silicon Valley investors, including Y Combinator, which has helped to launch more than 4,000 companies since it was founded in 2005. Those companies include Airbnb, Doordash, Instacart, Dropbox and Reddit. 

Additional investors in the recent seed round of funding for Outsail include Climate Capital, which focuses its investments on emissions reduction and climate adaptation; Venture Hacks Fund, which was an investor in Twitter; and Collab Fund, whose previous investments include Beyond Meat, Daily Harvest, Kickstarter, Lyft, The Farmer’s Dog and TaskRabbit.  

According to Rau, Outsail’s ultimate goal is to apply technology in the maritime industry—not just in cruising yachts, but also with container shipping and defense—to reduce the amount of diesel fuel being burned. Outsail is currently working with shipyards such as Conrad and Alva on custom-build projects.

The post Invention on the Breeze appeared first on Cruising World.

Boaters worldwide can now access to the most comprehensive resource of ocean regulatory information, including marine protection areas, through the savvy navvy app. Made possible through a collaboration between savvy navvy and ProtectedSeas, a data-driven and ocean-focused business headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, the app aims to empower boaters with information to make more environmentally conscious decisions while out on the water. 

ProtectedSeas Navigator currently provides boaters with 22,000 marine protected and managed areas in more than 220 countries across the world. This includes speed-limit zones to protect marine mammals, fisheries management areas among other protections. 

“Working with ProtectedSeas enables us at savvy navvy to bring their valuable research to life and help anyone on the water to make better decisions to protect the environment,” said David Cusworth, head of innovation and partnerships at savvy navvy. “We like to do things differently, and building on our seagrass data from last year, we will now have a whole layer of information just about sustainability. This partnership is the latest in savvy navvy’s ambition to bring sustainability to the forefront of boaters across the globe, as we continue to make navigation safe and easy for everyone on the water.” 

ProtectedSeas scoured the globe to compile marine protection information into the Navigator database of marine protected areas (MPAs), both large and small, including creating the first public digital maps for over 2,400 areas—roughly 10 percent of the areas included in the database. Launching their digital data after eight years of research and development, savvy navvy now delivers the Navigator data to boaters and watersports users all over the world via their app. 

“ProtectedSeas is excited to see Navigator information in the hands of boaters on the water,” said Virgil Zetterlind, director of ProtectedSeas. “Through our partnership with savvy navvy, boaters are more empowered to know and comply with conservation rules on the water which help protect the ecosystems they know and enjoy.”

Since launching their first global view of marine life protections, ProtectedSeas has been complimented by several industry-renowned leaders and bodies, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Sylvia Earle, and the governor of California. Savvy navvy, often referred to as “Google Maps for boats,” is a revolutionary, award winning boat navigation app that aims to deliver information needed by boaters for a seamless experience on the water, all in one place. They were among the first to integrate multiple sustainable data sources from different conservation agencies and bodies. Some of the ProtectedSeas data is already live in the savvy navvy app now, with more to follow soon. 

To learn more about the sustainable data or to download the app visit savvy-navvy.com

The post Setting Course for a More Sustainable Future appeared first on Cruising World.

Seldén Mast, a Swedish manufacturer specializing in mast and deck hardware, has broadened its range of electronically powered sailhandling products with the launch of the CXe45. Tailored for yachts between 45 and 55 feet, Seldén’s latest offering is a two-speed electric code-zero furler that can be effortlessly controlled with the touch of a button. 

The CXe45 is adaptable for integration into a bow or bowsprit through a through-deck installation. Alternatively, it can be utilized as an on-deck unit by attaching it to a padeye. Mats-Uno Fredrikson, Seldén’s director of marketing, noted that while the furling code zero was initially developed for long-distance racing, it has now become a standard addition to the headsail wardrobe of cruising sailors.

“The furling Code 0 was originally developed for long distance racing but is now a given addition to a cruising sailor’s headsail wardrobe,” he said. “Combine it with a furling jib and you have the ultimate set up from broad reaching to beating upwind, all without leaving the cockpit. Now, with the use of push button control instead of a furling line it becomes even easier and safer.”

CEO and owner of Hallberg-Rassy, Magnus Rassy, who has been testing the new electric Code 0 furler for two seasons, noted: “The CXe45 is exceptionally easy to handle, partly because of the high speed when furling the sail. It takes effortless sail handling in light air to a whole new level.”

Seldén’s electric code zero furling system offerings currently come in two models. The CXe25 TD and CXe45 TD are both through-deck versions, while the CXe25 OD and CXe45 OD are on-deck styles. 

The main difference between the TD and OD versions is that the through-deck installations are permanent and always available, ready for the furled sail to be connected. By comparison, the on-deck version requires no modification of the deck or bowsprit. Instead, it attaches to a pad-eye, after which the cable can be connected on deck or in the anchor locker. 

Each of the models can be ordered with just a drive unit, or with a drive unit and a halyard swivel. As with other electric functions from Seldén, the CXe runs on SEL-Bus and a Power Supply Unit that converts 12 or 24 volts to 42 volts. 

SEL-Bus is a can-bus system with software that uses intelligence technology to sense and adapt loads for efficiency and safety. SEL-Bus can handle additional functions and run them all on the same Power Supply Unit. The 42-volt conversion allows for smaller power cables and a compact, brushless motor.  
For more information about Seldén’s electric code zero furling system, click over to seldenmast.com.

The post Push-Button Convenience appeared first on Cruising World.

Lagoon Catamarans has unveiled a furling boom system that’s been in development for a dozen years. It’s available starting this month as a factory option on the Lagoon 51 and the Lagoon 46.

“We did the first set of prototypes, which failed,” says Bruno Belmont, Lagoon’s multihull expert. “So, we restarted five and a half years ago with fresh ideas, and we started building efficient prototypes three years ago.”

Those newer prototypes have been undergoing field tests ever since. Lagoon worked alongside Sparcraft, which makes masts and rigging; Incidences Sails, which has been in business for more than 30 years; and Facnor, which specializes in furling systems.

“The furling system could not be a copy of a monohull system because of the horizontal compression of the batons,” Bruno says, adding that Lagoon ultimately created a system that is not enclosed within cowling. “We wanted the sailor to look at what they’re doing and be capable of reacting in case something went wrong.”

Overall, he adds, the idea is to simplify and improve the sailing experience, especially for people who are newcomers to boating and still getting used to all the skillsets that are required. 

“Most of our sailors are first-boat buyers, so they don’t have a strong experience of sailing,” he says. “The idea is that the boom is quite high, and accessing the lazy bag could be viewed as difficult. Also, reefing the main can be quite challenging for new sailors.” 

The Lagoon Furling System relies on four key principles: completely easing the mainsheet so the sail and boom can move freely; having the boat positioned head to wind, to keep the boom close to the vessel’s centerline; hoisting the topping lift to a point where it’s locked in the predetermined position so that the boom is level; and applying tension to the slack easing line to ensure that the luff of the sail remains tight.

Key components include a stainless-steel furling mandrel, a rotating boom with pivot bearings at the front and rear, a stainless-steel aft bearing unit, and a steel-wire topping lift to limit stretching. 

See the Lagoon Furling System in action:

Lagoon also notes that the sail is not enclosed in a carbon-fiber or fiberglass casing, as some other furling systems are. With the Lagoon system, sailors have a clear view of the operation. Three lines—the main halyard, furling line and topping lift—control the furling mechanism.

The post Lagoon Unveils Furling Boom System appeared first on Cruising World.

North Sails has launched Renew, a North Paneled Laminate (NPL) sailcloth for cruising boats 25 to 45 feet. Renew sailcloth is constructed from more than 90 percent sustainable sources, with no sacrifice in performance or longevity. The launch of Renew sailcloth marks an important shift towards building more sustainable sails with the best materials and further underscores North Sails’ commitment to sustainability, low-impact manufacturing, the use of alternative fibers, and opportunities for material circularity. 

“There’s been a lot of rigorous work behind the scenes over a number of years to ensure Renew is a sailcloth with legitimate sustainability credentials,” said Renew Product Director Tom Davis. “This product has been tested to the absolute limit, and we are confident that a sail constructed with Renew will offer unbeatable durability and sail shape for our cruising customers without compromising on performance.” North Sails’ close relationships with the big companies supplying films, fibers and fabrics, as well as their shared commitment to creating more sustainable products, have been the foundation of the journey to Renew. 

For Renew, North Sails was able to source recycled polyester film and yarn, and bio-based Dyneema, with no compromise on performance, to create a highly durable cruising laminate cloth that features more than 90 percent alternative bio-based and recycled raw materials. The supplier products for Renew are all Bluesign Certified and ISCC compliant to guarantee the validity of the sources and processes used in their manufacture.

North Sails President Ken Read noted: “We have been deliberate and comprehensive in vetting the authenticity of sustainability claims and thoroughly testing the materials before bringing a product to market. We wanted to be 100 percent certain with Renew that North Sails could stand behind the improvements in the carbon footprint and authenticity of the sustainable materials in our sailcloth. With our wider commitment to continuous improvement and our push to strive for more sustainable solutions across the business at all levels, Renew will not stop with panel laminates, and we will look to apply this approach to sustainable raw materials across our broader range of products.”  

Under the Renew program, North Sails will continue to partner with suppliers to identify and refine the raw materials needed to produce ever more sustainable sails for all customers. North Sails is working on new solutions for sustainable sources across all North Sails technologies, including 3Di sails.   

“North Sails has committed to adopting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to learn about the ecological impact of all products and to establish goals for reducing waste and pollution,” Davis added. “An important aspect of achieving these goals is to introduce more recycled content. By 2025, North Sails will implement a Responsible Product Scorecard for all products and will also establish measurable goals for circular products that can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle.”

The post North Sails Launches Sustainable Sailcloth appeared first on Cruising World.

Grand Soleil Yachts has announced its Blue concept, a 33-foot weekender conceived for sustainability and efficiency underway. Conceived by Cantiere del Pardo, Grand Soleil Blue gets its exterior and interior design by Nauta Design, with naval architecture by Matteo Polli.

Underscoring the builder’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious cruising, Grand Soleil Blue, which is capable of hosting up to four guests overnight, promises both zero environmental impact during sailing and complete recyclability at the culmination of its life cycle.

According to the builder, the Blue concept marks a turning point in boat construction by employing thermoplastic resin to address end-of-life recycling, one of the more significant complications in eco-conscious construction methods. Traditionally, composite boats have been built using thermosetting resins, which are very difficult if not impossible to recycle. Thermoplastic resin allows for easier separation of the resin and glass or carbon fibers for re-use or eco-responsible disposal.

This smart design approach allows simpler separation of boat accessories and components, similar to end-of-life practices currently being explored in the automotive industry. The process ensures that every part of the Grand Soleil Blue can be effectively disassembled and recycled, minimizing environmental impact.

Grand Soleil Blue will feature a lithium battery bank and electric propulsion for zero-emission cruising, contributing to a more sustainable future by reducing emissions. Renewable energy autonomy will be provided through the use of solar panels, which will recharge the battery bank to feed the electric motor. The proposed standard battery pack will allow for a range of approximately 30 nautical miles at around five knots, which translates to six hours of continuous engine operation, or 12 hours with the dual battery pack, in total silence and with zero emissions. The sails are also crafted from thermoplastic materials, further minimizing environmental impact. While underway, the Grand Soleil Blue concept can recharge its batteries through hydrogeneration, converting energy to electricity as the propeller spins in response to the water flow generated by the boat’s speed.

The world premiere of the Grand Soleil Blue concept is slated for the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival.

The post Grand Soleil Yachts Unveils Zero-Impact Weekender Sailboat appeared first on Cruising World.