The Grand Soleil BLUE, from the Grand Soleil 33 feet Daysailer Zero Impact project, is a 10-meter sailboat, a true gem born from the belief that the...
The Grand Soleil BLUE, from the Grand Soleil 33 feet Daysailer Zero Impact project, is a 10-meter sailboat, a true gem born from the conviction that the first step towards sustainability lies in quality, ensuring product longevity.
Embodiment of the creativity offered by a collaboration between nautical experts such as Matteo Polli (Naval Architecture) and Nauta Design (Exterior Design, Interior Design, and G.A.) and pioneers in sustainable materials like NLComp, this sailboat represents a new chapter in the history of recreational navigation where sustainability, efficiency, and design come together to create a "bluer" future at sea.
This principle has been the guiding force throughout all stages of the design process. The result is a boat, ideal for weekends, remarkably innovative and elegant, capable of accommodating up to four guests overnight, with zero environmental impact during navigation and complete recyclability at the peak of its lifecycle.
For those interested, it will also be available with a traditional laminated hull and an internal combustion engine.
How was this achieved? By applying several revolutionary design and construction methods:
1. Sustainable construction The Grand Soleil BLUE, built with the Composite® technology developed by the Italian startup NLComp, represents an advancement in boatbuilding through the use of thermoplastic resin, a choice aimed at solving one of the most significant issues in the maritime industry: end-of-life disposal.
2. Thermoplastic sails The sails are made from thermoplastic materials, thus committed to reducing environmental impact. Developed by OneSails, the 4T FORTET™ sails are the world's first "green sails." Their membranes and assembly process are designed to meet the highest standards regarding environmental impact and recyclability. Traditional glues, resins, and solvents have been replaced with an innovative hot fusion process, and the base polymer is 100% recyclable using standard waste disposal methods.
3. Disassemblable design This design allows for easy removal of accessories and components, similar to automotive industry practices for end-of-life products. This critical process ensures that each part of the Grand Soleil BLUE can be efficiently disassembled and recycled, thus minimizing environmental impact.
4. Solar panels The installation of solar panels provides renewable energy autonomy by recharging the battery bank that powers the electric motor and supports onboard services. With the standard battery, the Grand Soleil BLUE can navigate 30 nautical miles at about 5 knots, resulting in 6 hours of continuous engine operation or 12 hours with doubled batteries. The integrated photovoltaic system, made by Solbian, with about 340 W of power, is fully integrated into the roof, accessible on foot, and equipped with a non-slip finish. This system not only recharges the engine battery but also transfers excess energy to the service battery bank, ensuring optimal load balancing for overall energy efficiency.
5. Electric propulsion An electric motor of 6 kW with a direct transmission Pod Drive from E-Propulsion. This compact, low-maintenance solution guarantees absolute silence on board and is plug-and-play. Ideal for zero-emission navigation, it promotes a more sustainable future by reducing environmental impact.
6. Hydrogen generation During navigation, the E-Propulsion Pod Drive motor efficiently recharges the Grand Soleil BLUE batteries through hydrogen generation – the water flow generated by the movement of the propeller when the boat is sailing. This system provides a minimum recharge of 240 W even at about 6 knots.
7. Lithium batteries The Grand Soleil BLUE will be equipped with an 8 kW, 48 V lithium (LiFePO4) battery bank from E-Propulsion, rechargeable in 7.2 hours. This is the standard configuration, but the storage capacity can be doubled without increasing the charging time, as the charger compensates for the larger battery capacity by maintaining the same charging duration.