Royal Huisman’s Aera Catamaran Uses a Giant Sail to Cut Emissions
Sure, a sailboat powered by only the wind produces zero emissions by definition, but when it’s a sailing superyacht, the carbon footprint becomes a real drag. Royal Huisman, the yard that launched the first hybrid superyacht, 2009’s Ethereal, went a step further last year with its Project Tidal Shift sustainability initiative. One of the results is the near-zero-emissions Aera concept.
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. Aera’s development was driven in part by answering the challenge of mutual exclusivity.
“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.
Designer Cor D. Rover’s serpentine deck configuration optimizes outdoor space.
Courtesy of Royal Huisman
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, sets the wing to automatic trim, and you are sailing in less than a minute,” says Jan Timmerman, Royal Huisman’s C.E.O. “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. Fully charged batteries can run the hotel load for 11 hours, while the hydrogen fuel cells generate over 3,000 kWh for 72 hours at anchor. Biodiesel-fed generators, with minimal emissions, can also provide reliable output for distance cruising.
The lattice like exterior infuses the sanctuaries inside with air and light.
Courtesy of Royal Huisman
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.” Using Aera’s 47-foot-wide beam to optimal effect, Rover created a breezy, 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.
Aera is also infused with lavish touches: The owner’s suite, complemented by a private exterior terrace and pool, sits forward in the main deck, while the rear presents another pool and open stern on the water. 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.” Julia Zaltzman
Recharge on the Run
The MODX 70.
Courtesy of Océan Développement
What may be the closest thing to a perpetual-motion machine yet, the MODX 70 claims to be the first yacht employing 100 percent electric and renewable energy. 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.
“Every decision in designing this boat revolved around having zero fossil fuel on board,” says Jean Guyon, a partner of the French shipyard. “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. The array of solar panels, totaling nearly 775 square feet, 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, depending on the captain’s desired speed, automatically adjust to match wind conditions, retracting and folding when the boat is at anchor. The naval architecture by VPLP, a French firm specializing in offshore racing yachts, includes a robust holding box at the base of the mast and carbon-fiber bulkheads to contain the enormous loads generated by the sails. Fully inflated, the wings expand to about 2,000 square feet.
“You just push a button on the touchscreen, and in seven minutes they’re up,” explains Guyon. “The sail then finds the best angle for the wind.” The second MODX 70, with a base price of about $9.3 million, is now being built. Michael Verdon
