Flax-based biocomposite prototypesBy Rebecca Strong27/07/2022Save articleThe SeaBioComp project has developed a number of demonstrator products showcasing flax-based thermoplastic biocomposites to help reduce the dependence on fossil-based materials in the marine sector. Over the past three years, project partners have been working on two different kinds of biocomposites – a self-reinforced PLA-composite which has been made into a variety of non-woven and woven fabrics suitable for use in compression moulding, and a flax reinforced polylactide or acrylic reinforced composite for use via RIFT, compression moulding and additive manufacturing.A range of products have been developed which do not rely on fossil-based materials Photo: SeaBioCompTesting has shown that, in some cases, these materials outperform conventional non-bio composites currently in use today. The new products have been shown to use the same compression moulding conditions as conventional materials and sometimes the process cycle time can be shorter. The products have also been assessed to ensure they are durable enough for the marine environment.Technically complexThe combination of thermoplastic polymers, natural fibres and 3D printing technologies can produce technically complex designs and applications for the marine environment, say the researchers.A number of prototypes, including a fender and other port structures, have been successfully created using 3D printing as well as scale model offshore wind turbine blades manufactured via monomer infusion under flexible tooling and complex curved structures using compression moulding techniques.The project has produced a series of technical leaflets detailing the various production methods.TopicsBoatbuilding

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NEWSPaper charts to be withdrawn28/07/2022Save articleThe UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is preparing to stop paper chart production by late 2026 to instead increase its focus on digital navigation products and services.SHOW FULLSCREENThe UKHO is planning on withdrawing from paper charts by 2026The organisation says its plans to withdraw Admiralty Standard Nautical Charts (SNCs) and Thematic Charts are in response to more marine, naval and leisure users primarily using digital products and services for navigation.The Admiralty Maritime Data Solutions digital navigation portfolio can be updated in near real-time, which the organisation says will enhance safety of life at sea (SOLAS).The phased withdrawal of paper charts from production will take place over a number of years and is anticipated to conclude in late 2026.In parallel, the UKHO will develop ‘viable, official digital alternatives’ for sectors still using paper chart products.“As we look to the future, our core purpose remains the safety of shipping operations and delivering the best possible navigation solutions to achieve that,” said Peter Sparkes, UKHO chief executive.“We understand the significance of this announcement, given the distinguished history of the UKHO’s paper chart production and the trust that mariners have placed in Admiralty charts over the generations.”And he said the move to digital navigation solutions has been accompanied by a rapid decline in demand for paper charts, driven by the SOLAS-mandated transition to ECDIS and the wider benefits of digital solutions, including the next generation of navigation services.

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NEWSMultihull show surpasses expectationsBy Rebecca Strong22/07/2022Save articleAn event in France dedicated to all things multihulled has surpassed the organisers’ ‘wildest dreams’.The International Multihull Show has doubled in size since its launch in 2010, this year showing more than 65 multihulls at the harbour in La Grande Motte, France, and hosting seven world premieres and 170 exhibitors.The International Multihull Show 2022 at La Grande Motte“The International Multihull Show has over the years become the ‘must attend’ event for this sector of the marine industry,” said the organisers.“The future looks promising with unstoppable growth.”The sector is growing internationally with new brands such as Excess, Windelo, Kinetic, Whisper Yacht, A Sea Venture and Illiad Catamaran coming to the market. Sailboats rather than powerboats make up the bulk of the multihull sector at around 85% and larger boats are starting to dominate.Representing around 70% of the global market, France leads the world in terms of building with big names such as Beneteau Group, Fountaine Pajot and Bali-Cantana. The power yacht market is one to watch with yacht builders reporting an increasing demand for larger and larger power catamarans.The charter market is recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic with customers increasingly interested in variety and novelty rather than ownership.In the future innovation, particularly around green technologies, will dominate as will an increasing focus on digitalisation with new advances in foils, electric motors, onboard electronics and telecommunications coming all the time. Areas ripe for advancements also include safety, sail technology and the use of new composite materials. 

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NEWSNew initiatives for SailGP25/07/2022Save articleNew technological and sustainable clean energy innovations are being introduced to the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix.SHOW FULLSCREENNew sustainability initiatives will be introduced at the Great Britain SailGP eventIn partnership with Aggreko, the provider of mobile modular power, there will be the largest solar collection SailGP has ever used, with bio-methanol fuel also used as an energy source, believed to the first time this has happened at a live event within the UK.The measures will enable the race village to be 100% powered by clean energy.Aggreko will also continue to utilise other renewable energy technologies such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), to power Trinity Pier and Clyde Quays where SailGP’s technical area will be based.“As we’ve seen Britain shatter its record for the highest temperature ever registered this week as a direct result of climate change, now more than ever all businesses, including sports organisations, need to act,” said SailGP global director of purpose and impact Fiona Morgan.Ambition“These are just a few steps in our ambition to be fully powered by nature by 2025, but it’s a real showcase of how we need to work together to tackle the climate emergency and every change makes a big difference.”Other initiatives include several electric on-water boats from RS Electric, Evoy and Vita, as part of SailGP’s target to power its entire on-water fleet by clean energy by 2025.Sail GP’s Inspire Program, the organisation’s community, education and outreach initiative will see racing taking place using hydrofoiling F50s, MarkSetBot robotic sailing marks, and support boats fitted with electric Epropulsion engines.And DRIFT Energy will show the technology of a foiling yacht that produces green hydrogen on board.The event takes place this weekend (July 31 – 31) in Plymouth. Nine teams will race on the water in the third event in SailGP’s Season three.TopicsEnvironment & SustainabilityGreat Britain Sail Grand PrixIndustry NewsSailGP

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NEWSColoured carbon fibre investment15/07/2022Save articleUK advanced materials and technology firm Hypetex, manufacturer of coloured carbon fibre, has received £1.25 million in new equity investment.SHOW FULLSCREENHypetex has received equity investment to advance its growth plansThe investment is the latest round of Hypetex’s seed funding, led by 24Haymarket, to support growth plans and help scale the business’s footprint.Hypetex’s technology has been developed to enable the sustainable colourisation of advanced materials while maintaining and improving their performance properties.“This new investment is testament to what we have achieved so far at Hypetex,” Marc Cohen, Hypetex CEO, explained. “The composites market is growing at a rapid pace, and we are well positioned to accelerate the use of our coloured advanced materials and be a key part of that as we develop exciting new product streams for the sector.”The process uses a water-based resin system and a low-energy curing process, with the finished coloured composite materials able to be used in a range of products – including boatbuilding. The need for the addition of paint is removed.Neil MacDougall, new chairman of the board for Hypetex, added: “Hypetex brings proprietary colourisation technology to the rapidly growing global composites market. This investment will enable Hypetex to further build on its unique market position in this growing $150 billion industry.”The company is also in the process of expanding its product range to include natural fibre products aimed at introducing additional sustainability benefits to the manufacturing of more eco-friendly lightweight products.TopicsBoatbuildingcarbon fibrecomposites

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70-year anniversary01/09/2017Save articleThis year is the 70th anniversary of the Optimist pram, originally launched in August 1947.The Optimist dinghy was first launched in August 1947The single-handed dinghy was designed by the American Clark Mills in 1947 to offer low-cost sailing for young people.The boat was designed to be built from two 4ft x 8ft sheets of plywood and has now become one of the most popular sailing dinghies in the world with more than 150,000 boats officially registered with the class.

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GB win Red Bull Youth America’s Cup05/07/2017Save articleWhile Sir Ben Ainslie and his team were unable to bring the Cup home, congratulations must go to the Land Rover BAR Academy that was crowned Red Bull Youth America’s Cup champions in the most dramatic of fashions, on the final day of racing on Bermuda’s Great Sound.New Zealand and Switzerland rounded out the podium. A dozen national teams of six sailors aged 18 to 24 took part.

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Electronics partnership for INEOS TEAM UK04/03/2019Save articleB&G has partnered with Britain’s entry to the America’s Cup, INEOS TEAM UK, supporting the fleet of boats with electronic instruments.B&G has partnered with INEOS TEAM UKIn addition, B&G will develop new technology and data streams to support the British challenge.“We are excited to announce our partnership with INEOS TEAM UK, as they prepare to win the Americas Cup,” said Simon Conder, B&G marketing director. “B&G has been at the cutting edge of sailing innovation for over 50 years.“Our racing heritage gives us an unrivalled platform for developing new technology and we are delighted to not only support INEOS TEAM UK with our current range of products, but also to work with the team to drive further innovative developments which will continue to help all levels of sailors using our electronics in the future.”Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper and team principal INEOS TEAM UK, added: “On the water we need the best equipment to allow us to perform at the optimum level, knowing that we have the support and products of a British brand with a heritage of delivering award winning and cutting-edge sailing innovation is a big performance enhancer for the campaign.”

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NEWSNew America’s Cup yachtBy Rebecca Strong18/07/2022Save articleExcitement is building across the racing world with the imminent arrival in Auckland of the first new America’s Cup yacht.The AC40’s build will be used in One Design mode for both the Women’s and Youth events along with being a test bed for the works teams.The AC40 under construction at the Emirates Team New Zealand’s yard Photo: Emirates Team New Zealand“We didn’t hold back on the design, we took the IP of Te Rehutai [the Cup winning boat from AC36] and translated it into the best 40-footer we could create,” said Dan Bernasconi, chief designer of Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ).Strict parametersWhilst the boats can be adapted following the Women’s and Youth events there are strict parameters and cost reduction measures such as a maximum of four custom foil wings and four custom flaps.Ten custom jibs and four mainsails are permitted and teams will also be allowed to build a single custom mast in addition to the two-piece supplied as standard.The hull, foil arms, rudders, mechatronics, hydraulics, and programmable logic controllers have all come from ETNZ’s design teams with the foil arms and rudders being created at ETNZ’s build facility in Auckland. The boomless, double-skinned sails have been designed in collaboration with North Sails whilst the two-piece masts have been crafted by Southern Spars in Avondale, Auckland.Down below, the auto-pilot controls the ride height only and can be manipulated, holding the wing at a certain set point below the water. If the teams want to change the pitch angle or trim differently for conditions, then there needs to be manual intervention. The top speed will be 40 knots plus.One big consideration for the AC40 global circuit is its ease of transportation. Each one will be transported on a custom flat rack which can carry the whole boat and all appendages to save on shipping costs and increase transportation efficiencies.

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NEWS5,000 boats dismantled18/07/2022Save articleThe Association for Eco-Responsible Pleasure Craft – APER – has dismantled more than 5,000 since it was set up three years’ ago.SHOW FULLSCREENThere are 26 boat dismantling centres around France. Photo credit APERThe figures released by the French organisation, which is financed by boat builders, approved dismantling centres, administrations, local authorities and marinas, show 33% of the boats were motorboats, around 32% were small sport sailboats – both monohulls and multihulls and just over 29% were monohull sailboats.The figures include the dismantling of more than 1,100 boats that have been collected from sailing clubs since a partnership was signed with the French Sailing Federation in 2020, with APER undertaking to finance the transport and processing of old school boats.“The wrecks, dilapidated hulls and scattered sucker boats on our banks and shores, our gardens, our marinas, are not inevitable,” said Jean-Paul Chapeleau président de l’APER.“Get rid of, deconstruct, recycle and recovering pleasure boats at the end of their life, this is the mission that APER has set itself, under the impetus of the Federation of nautical industries.”The organisation works to help boatbuilders and owners from the concept and design including choice of materials through to production and then the end of life of the boat.The organisation covers boats from 2.5m to 24m that are registered in France. There are 26 dismantling centres across the country.TopicsAPERBoatbuildingIndustry News

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