Zen50: catamaran with Wingsail technology

New technologies in Zen50

The Maltese company Zero Emission Nautic has created a really interesting concept - the world's first serial catamaran with Wingsail instead of a classic sail. Prior to the Zen50, wingsail was used only on yachts and non-mass production ships. The “wing” on the catamaran will be fully automated and will be able to support several modes of operation. 

Except already known to our Wingsail readers, the catamaran will have a few more interesting features. So, the body of the Zen50 will be made of carbon fiber. According to the shipyard, the catamaran is designed not only for day cruises, but also for long sea passages. 

The Zen50 battery has a capacity of 160 kWh. There is also enough space on board to install a large 17 kW solar array. By the way, thanks to the battery, it becomes possible to constantly generate electricity at the rate of 1 kW per ton of displacement. What does it mean? 

This means that at a yacht speed of 6-10 knots, the energy of the solar battery will be enough to generate electricity without additional power sources. In even simpler terms, this means that, in theory, a catamaran is able to work autonomously without recharging for an infinitely long time - the main thing is to maintain the required speed.

Controversial style

For some, the appearance of the Zen50 may seem somehow wrong. An angular hull, dubious aerodynamics, indistinct wingsail instead of a classic sail… The list goes on and on. 

But one thing is for sure, the Zen50 is one of those rare cases where the entire catamaran is futuristic in style and uses cutting-edge technology to the max. A very likely scenario where the Zen50 will be one of the first cruising catamarans of the future. 

Why do we think so? First, the Zen50 brings together all the technological innovations of recent years: a lightweight carbon hull, a new type of sail (wingsail), advanced electricity generation technology. Secondly, the catamaran still really looks fresh and futuristic. It has been a long time since any radical design solutions have been seen in the cruise sector. Thirdly, the success of the catamaran and the technologies used in its creation, we will know only after a while. 

The yachting and cruise industry is a rather inert thing, innovations and new approaches take root for a long time, sometimes problematic, but progress does not stand still. 

Specifications Zen50

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14.07.2023