Marine

Zen50 solar-electric yacht comes with a wingsail range and speed extender

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Zen Yachts has started construction of the first Zen50 solar-electric catamaran with fully automated wingsail
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
Zen Yachts has started construction of the first Zen50 solar-electric catamaran with fully automated wingsail
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
The Zen50 has two helm stations, with the flybridge measuring 34 m2
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
On solar alone, the Zen50 has a cruising speed of 4.5 - 5 knots, but with assistance from the wingsail that can rise to 10 knots
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
The Zen50 features a 16-kW photovoltaic array and 160-kWh main battery bank
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
The fully automated Oceanwings OWS 3.2 wingsail from Ayro is designed to extend range and speed
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
The Zen50 can accommodate up to 12 passengers, with the company offering a "wide range of interior layouts" to meet customer specifications
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd
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Ocean-capable solar-powered yachts are an appealing idea, though not exactly a new one. And according to Malta's ZEN Yachts, many solar catamarans come equipped with generators that essentially makes them hybrid diesel-solar vessels. The marine startup's Zen50 is described as a true solar boat, and is also reckoned to be the first production yacht to feature a wingsail.

Zero Emission Nautic – or ZEN Yachts – hasn't actually built the Zen50 yet, but the first order is in and headed for launch in early 2023. Designed by acclaimed naval architect Julien Mélot, the 15.7-m (51.5 ft) luxury yacht features carbon fiber and Corecell composite hulls inspired by performance catamarans for minimal drag, with optimization courtesy of computational fluid dynamics analysis, and sports a 16-kW solar roof and a 160-kWh main battery bank to power the all-electric propulsion system.

On motor power alone, the leisure craft is expected to have a maximum speed of 10 knots, but this vessel also has a semi-rigid Oceanwings OWS 3.2 wingsail installed to help increase that top speed to 14 knots. Zen Yachts reckons that folks can expect over 180 nautical miles (~330 km) of range over a 24-hour period, though probably not at those speeds. Cruising speed on solar/battery is reported to be 4.5 - 5 knots continuous, or 6 - 10 knots for both solar and wingsail.

On solar alone, the Zen50 has a cruising speed of 4.5 - 5 knots, but with assistance from the wingsail that can rise to 10 knots
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd

The wingsail was developed by VLPL Yacht Design spin-off Ayro, and is an evolution of the technology used on the BMW Oracle racing trimaran that defeated the Alinghi V in the 33rd America's Cup in 2010.

Naval architects VLPL continued to tweak the design, and installed a version on the Energy Observer floating laboratory in 2019. The Ayro team has now used the data gathered in the years since and fine-tuned the control algorithm, with the Zen50 reportedly being the first series production leisure vessel to benefit from the fully automated wingsail.

The Zen50 features two helm stations, with the flybridge measuring some 34 m2 (365 ft2). A 10-kWh backup battery will help keep navigation and comms powered, while also assisting with the operation of the wingsail.

"Our customers are aware that they will be sailing a performance catamaran with zero emissions; they are not looking for a floating hotel, but rather want to enjoy the experience and reconnect with the elements," said Zen Yachts in a press release. "The wingsail acts as a range and speed extender, allowing those who dream of sailing the oceans with their families to do so without leaving a carbon footprint."

The Zen50 can accommodate up to 12 passengers in four double ensuite cabins together with one bunk double and one single, with any extra sleeping needs met by temporary areas in the saloon or dining areas.

The Zen50 can accommodate up to 12 passengers, with the company offering a "wide range of interior layouts" to meet customer specifications
Zero Emission Nautic Ltd

Elsewhere are two large day beds, the yacht can be optioned with three dining areas to cater for more than 10 people via a professional galley and two wet kitchens, and SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet is included.

The Zen50 can also come with an electric tender, electric water scooter, e-jet boards, and e-foils, while an onboard dive compressor could cater for underwater adventures.

Zen Yachts is due to open its Barcelona showroom at the Marina Vela in April, which is close to where the first hulls are currently being formed. Work on a second yacht will begin when "the first one comes out of the mold." The Zen50 is being offered in Racer, Cruiser and Explorer configurations and can be had with or without a wingsail. Pricing starts at a cool US$1.6 million.

Source: Zen Yachts

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5 comments
Hendrik Ehlers
Yes, you need a large area for your solar panels and they can make great shaded hang-out areas on a boat. But why anybody would put that to the front as a big wind catcher costing dearly in speed and reach is totally beyond me. This concept is the opposite to efficiency.
sidmehta
Yes Hendrik that's what I was thinking too. Plus it looks weird. Scrap it and start with a fresh design.
jerryd
2 major problems. First no need to reef the wingsail, it should automatically follow the wind making no forces this one can't if not wanted. If want just move the trimtab and away you go, even back up automatically, dynamically, no computer, etc needed..
Second the wingsail kills the solar output as shading just 1 cell cuts the series of them.
Jinpa
Faster than a bamboo raft. Price? Probably well into six figures. What it might actually be good for is a fisherman's boat. Then the question will be what are the ROI figures over its useful life,
jeronimo
What an Ugly woftam.

Solar cells link together in series to produce electricity, like a daisy chain. If you shadow just one cell, the chain is broken and that particular "daisy chain" is useless. The mast from the wingsail will always be shadowing some cells, and when the wingsail is raised, heaps more chains will be broken. Maybe they are thinking of only raising the wingsail at night ?