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- NEXT GEN - Shock Mitigation
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- NEXT GEN - H2 Oct 2021
- NEXT GEN - Battery Electric
- NEXT GEN - Safety & System
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Bertrand Castelnerac - R&D Director & Coxswain, SEAir
Bertrand is an experienced offshore sailor, four-times French crew offshore sailing champion. He has also completed seven transatlantic races, single, double, and crew on the RORC circuit.
He has more than fifteen years of experience as a professional sailor. He has proved his expertise in foil sailing with a GC32 catamaran, an International Moth and a Flying SEAir mini 747.
Bertrand co-founded SEAir with Richard Forest in 2015, bringing his seagoing experience of both inshore and deep-sea waters to adapting foiling technology for powered craft.
His concept of applying foil technology to RIBs came about when he realised that slamming into the waves meant that motor vessels could not travel faster than sailing boats with foils.
Now he is convinced that the future of foiling boats lies in the development of powered craft.
Spending much of his time at sea testing new designs, he has contributed to making SEAir the leading company in Brittany and the 18th in France in terms of innovation, according to Forbes magazine.
SEAir - Foiling RIBs and Powerboats Provide Comfort and Efficiency for Professional Applications
SEAir’s AirShark 765 is a classic Sillinger RIB with a 250hp engine, a length of 7.65 metres, weighing two tonnes. To analyse its performance and to obtain an understanding of how hydrofoils enable shock mitigation, a system of inertial sensors was installed to record operating routines in different sea states.
The addition of foils to the basic boat enables it to be raised during transit approximately 50cm above the surface. The foils act as buffers, eliminating slamming and mitigating vessel motion. The analysis results demonstrate a more comfortable and efficient craft, with lower noise, less crew fatigue and greater economy. The reduced drag when operating with foils provides significant fuel savings, increasing endurance while also boosting average speeds by 20%.
The human factor became highly evident during trials, as in addition to reduced vessel motion, the smoother ride of operating with foils reduces noise levels and vibration, contributing to greater comfort in transit and consequently reduced fatigue and better user alertness. SEAir is about to start working with the medical arm of the French military to examine shock trauma, muscular fatigue and cognitive skills under seagoing conditions.
The retractable foils allow the boat to be beached or docked, and easily transported on a trailer. SEAir is currently developing a new version of this system, specifically adapted for military and commercial offshore use. It is also looking at options for a civil version for tomorrow’s market.
Download NEXT GEN Digital Workshop October 2020 Presentation (password required)
