Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Hydrofoils in the cruise yacht building industry are the latest innovations at Baltic Yachts shipyard, in particular on their new superyacht Baltic 142.

On Baltic 142certainly doesn't have hydrofoils like the America's Cup racing yachts, but its 29-foot (9-meter) horizontal glide wing uses the same lift principle to reduce roll and increase speed.

Dynamic Stability System Designers (Dynamic Stability System - DSS) say she will improve the performance of this super cruiser by 20%, providing a stable 25 knots - not bad for a superyacht with a projected displacement of 140 tons.

This is the first time the system DSS used in the construction of superyachts, but its advantages will be used for comfortable, fast cruising over long distances, and not for winning the race. Very soon, all eyes will be on this superyacht when she is launched at the end of this year and she sets off on her first ocean voyage. If DSS indeed does what the designers predict, it could become commonplace in the superyacht and small cruise yacht building industry. That is why, we will consider this system in more detail:

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Proven technology

Idea developed by British naval architects Hugh Welbourn and Gordon Kay from Infiniti yachtshas certainly proven itself by reducing roll, increasing speed, damping roll and adding unexpected steering quality in busy conditions, albeit on a smaller scale.

Gordon Kayat the helm of a 46-foot yacht Infiniti 46 with installed system DSSpowered at nearly 40 knots of wind during Rolex Middle Sea Race 2017, said, "The boat was going at 28 knots, just like an arrow, to the point where I wondered if I needed to steer it."

The question is, can these benefits be applied to a 140 ton superyacht?

The greatest minds behind this project believe it can. These include the head of the research and development department Baltic Yachts Roland Kasslin, the president Farr Yacht Design Patrick Shaughnessy, Technical Director BAR Technologies Simon Schofield, Simon Everest of Gurit Engineeringas well as Welbourne and Kay themselves. Ability Baltic yachts Dealing with complex engineering challenges and finding solutions with advanced construction technologies is already well known.

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Wing weighing 1 ton

As seen in the above hull scan, a 1 ton carbon wing will be housed in a hull built into the hold. Baltic 142, just below the waterline and slightly behind the stern amidships. When the wing is fired, it runs directly under the owner's stateroom. When not in use, the wing is slightly noticeable, but when the wing extends, it will protrude 22 feet (over 6.5 meters) from the leeward side.

The wing is designed to be used at a speed at which about 40 tons of lift can be produced by pushing the yacht upright with a corresponding increase in speed.

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

Speed 25 knots

Gordon Kay says the traditionally designed traverse, reaching 25 knots of wind, will heel a little over 20 degrees, but with a working wing it will be limited to just 9 degrees and, as a result, the boat speed will increase. With 25 knots of wind, the yacht will be able to reach a steady 25 knots depending on sea conditions. In addition, any rolling force will be reduced. Thus, in addition to the increased speed, the increased comfort level is also very captivating.

Since the wing is capable of generating a significant proportion of the boat's leveling moment, the displacement and volume of the hull can be reduced, although this presents its own problems. This limits the space in the hold that is required to mount the wing and provide sufficient distance between the upper and lower supports to allow the wing to "glide" under load when Baltic 142 is at speed.

Simon Everest from Gurit said: “We cooperated with Baltic yachtsto make small adjustments to living spaces, and with Farr Yacht Designto reshape the hull, creating a thin blister around the wing exit. " The blisters provided the required width. The wing is controlled by a system of pulleys, the ropes to which are passed through a powerful electric winch located at deck level.

About superyacht Baltic 142

Carbon composite Baltic 142 designed for fast and comfortable round-the-world cruising, but its owner did not stop at wing technology in his quest for innovation. This yacht will be equipped with diesel-electric power plant and generation systemwhich burns less fossil fuels, requires less space and is quieter than a conventional drive. Weight is reduced due to 700-volt electrical systemwhich uses lighter cables and allows equipment normally powered by heavy and space-consuming hydraulics to be powered by the main battery.

The engine room, which houses a remarkably compact power unit 400 kW motor, two generators with a capacity of 210 kW, four blocks of Alkasol lithium-ion batteries, water heaters and other accessories were assembled separately at the factory Baltic yachts in Jakobstad, and then installed on the yacht as one module. Significant efforts have also been made to improve the serviceability of all equipment in order to make the yacht autonomous on long voyages and carry out maintenance without the need to find a specialized yacht dock.

Baltic 142 - the first cruising superyacht with hydrofoil

With style and interior design from Lucio Micheletti, as well as the shipyard team, Baltic 142 has an elegant saloon with a low deck and a rigid fixed bimini extending over the front of the cockpit. Downstairs there is a spacious deck saloon offering panoramic views. It is unquestionably the centerpiece of a luxury yacht stay. Unusually, but very aptly, the owner's suite is designed almost midships, where the pitching is minimal. Additionally, the yacht has three more double guest cabins.

Other features include Rondal sailing rig with electric mainsail twisting into boom, lifting keel and propeller shaft bracket 180 degree rotating.

13.05.2019