Uncomplicated handling and space-saving on deck - wingsails seem to be made for daysailers. "Aqua" shows how what belongs together grows together. The French study is more than just another wingsail concept. The wind propulsion system from Wisamo only becomes a wing when air flows into the slack textile cover. Why not call the concept iRig in reference to the "Inflatable Rig" and inflatable paddle boards (iSUP)? The concept is not new. Most recently MODX 70 caused quite a stir. YACHT has already sailed the complex and expensive 21-metre catamaran. And back in 2017, two Swiss inventors presented the Inflated Wing Sail in practice.
Daysailer with rig from Wisamo
So now an 18 metre long monohull project with a similarly luxurious orientation as the MODX 70, featuring big names, all from France. There is the tyre giant Michelin and its offshoot Wisamo (Wing Sails Mobility). This was formed within the mobility company in 2020 and initially saw the inflatable textile profile as an add-on for Merchant ships. The retrofittable, fully automated systems are designed to cut emissions by 20 per cent, and a 100 square metre wing has already proven itself on the cargo deck.
With Michel Desjoyeaux, Wisamo brought a two-time Vendée Globe winner on board as a technical consultant with the stub mast and the 170 square metre wonder bag above it. "The Wisamo wing sail adapts to all types of boats and uses wind energy to propel them. Operation is very simple: you start the system and stay on course," explains Desjoyeaux.
Automated sail control
Low-pressure blowers generate the symmetrical profile and keep it in shape against shocks or wind. The technology automatically adapts to wind direction and strength and can compensate for heeling. An electric drive system with two 15 kW motors is available for harbour manoeuvres or calm periods.
The automated wing sail adapts automatically to the wind and even reefs as if by magic if necessary. In unfavourable weather conditions, the iRig switches to safety mode and lowers itself. The shape of the wings adapts to the wind and the deck is free of obstacles for optimised running paths: no fittings or sheets blocking the way.
Project team from France
Novem Nautical Design brought form and function to the boat. Breton William Brehelin kept the lines and layout on deck close to familiar daysailer concepts and focussed on large sunbathing and lounge areas as well as easy handling with a clear separation of work and guest areas. The deck layout benefits from the fact that traditional restrictions such as shrouds or stays have been removed, resulting in an open and extremely spacious main and aft cockpit.
Below deck, there is space for up to six overnight guests, a fully equipped galley and a saloon for eight people. The power supply will be partly provided by a hydrogenerator that generates electricity while sailing. JFA Yachts, based in Concarneau, Brittany, would be the shipyard and would build the 18.18 metre long and 4.20 metre wide daysailer as an epoxy-carbon construction with an unladen weight of 12.8 tonnes.
Aqua" technical data
- Length over everything: 18,18 m
- Width: 4,20 m
- Displacement (empty): 12,8 t
- Depth: 3,50 m
- sail area: 170 square metres
- Motor: 2 x 15 kW
- Wingsail: Wisamo-Michelin
- Construction: Novem Nautical Design
- Shipyard: JFA Yachts
