French manufacturer Océan Développement is presenting the MODX 70, a blue-water catamaran that consistently focusses on environmental friendliness and performance. The 21.33 metre-long twin-hull boat combines automated wing sails with a powerful electric drive, enabling emission-free journeys even over long distances.
At the heart of the MODX 70 are two extendable telescopic masts made of carbon fibre, each of which carries a 125 square metre, inflatable and symmetrically profiled wing sail. These so-called Aeroforce wings have now been installed on the catamaran and have undergone initial shipyard tests in recent weeks. The fully automatic sails are said to deliver 35 per cent more power than conventional sails of the same surface area and can even be operated by a small crew at the touch of a button. The idea of an inflatable wing sail on a telescopic mast is not new and has already been presented in detail in YACHT. (Inflated Wingsail - is this the revolution in sailing?)
Two electric motors, each with an output of 20 kW, provide additional support for the 23-tonne catamaran. The energy comes from a battery bank with a capacity of 230 kW/h. Thanks to these drives and the available energy, the range is at least 100 nautical miles - even without the help of the wing sails, according to the shipyard. The battery is charged by 70 square metres of solar cells installed on the deck and the spacious bimini roof above the cockpit. In addition, electricity is generated by the recuperation of the two controllable pitch propellers while sailing. At a speed of around 10 knots, these hydroelectric generators can supply up to 3 kW of additional power.
Plenty of space for an unusual design
Ocean Développement focuses on sustainability and minimising its ecological footprint when building the hull and deck. The shipyard uses a mixture of recycled and renewable materials: 38 per cent bio-based epoxy resin and 40 per cent recycled PET foam are used as the core material for the sandwich constructions. Flax fibres and cork are also used for the laminates.
With an impressive width of ten metres, the catamaran offers generous space. There are no side decks, which increases the living space on the main deck to almost 200 square metres. The extended centre hull allows the dinghy to be stowed in the bow instead of aft. Shallow keels allow the boat to fall dry and create additional space below deck.
The manufacturer Ocean Développement has not yet announced specific prices for the MODX 70. The innovative catamaran project will be presented with the new wing rigs at the major trade fair for multihulls, the Multihull Show in La Grande Motte (23-27 April), for the first time.
Océan Développement is a French company that has specialised in offshore racing and marine projects since 2008. The shipyard has extensive experience in the design and manufacture of offshore racers as well as in the refit of large, technologically sophisticated boats such as the solar-powered Race for Water vessel. Océan Développement is based in Lorient, where they have 2000 m² of office and workshop space. These are located in the heart of the Breton ecosystem for offshore racing and marine projects (La Base).
Technical data MODX 70
- Designer: VPLP
- Hull length: 21.33 m
- Width: 10.00 m
- Draught; 2.00 m
- Weight: 23.0 tonnes
- Mast height (extended wing): 23.00 m
- Sail area: 2 x 125.0 m2
- Motorisation: 2 x 20 kW
- Battery capacity: 230 kW/h
