Vacuum resin infusion is the process at the heart of our technology and is used for all parts.
The vacuum resin process removes all of the air between the fibres of a part prior to the introduction of the resin.
After the process, our parts are meticulously sanded with variable grit — allowing for maximum paint adhesion on surfaces and smooth, stylish edges.
Core materials are introduced into the part to increase stiffness without increasing weight.
The core is a structural-grade foam with a high shear strength characteristic: if the part is of a complex shape, we cut the foam into sections, thermoforming it to the required shape.
We use five different sizes and densities of foam on the boat, optimized for local strength requirements.
We purchase carbon fiber by the roll and over 35 rolls are used in each boat. We have engineered the laminate schedule to be most efficient in the various areas of the boat maximising strength and reducing weight.
Each meant to be the most efficient for their respective areas. The fabrics are stitched, instead of weaved.
Stitched fabrics do not need to bend over or under other fibre and lay flat, making a stronger part.
At Open Waters, it is our mission to make catamaran cruising more exciting and environmentally sustainable. We’ve set out to create a performance cruising catamaran that will be a joy to sail and that will raise the bar in environmental sustainability.
We have developed a unique design and manufacturing process, selected high performance materials that enable us to build a boat that uses less materials and is 50% lighter. As a result it is a lot faster and as a result it is able to generate and store the energy needed to propel it electrically for hours and provide enough energy for on board equipment.
We use high performance carbon fibre and a vacuum infusion process to maximize strength and reduce the use of resin and eliminate resin vapour emissions. We use 100% recycled PET foam core wherever possible and we see the opportunity for incremental use of bio-based epoxy and natural fibres in our future.
As we continue to develop our sustainability roadmap for our boats we will perform a full lifecycle analysis to identify other opportunities to minimize our carbon footprint.
The unique processes and skills we have developed can be applied and licensed to other marine and recreational vehicles businesses.
Simon Angus P.Eng is a professional mechanical engineer with a background in project management and a passion for sailing.
He spent his university summers travelling around Europe searching for the best combination of wind and waves in addition to teaching both sailing and windsurfing.
After moving to Canada in 2004, Simon bought a Catalina 27 in Kitimat, BC, and enjoyed sailing in the Douglas Channel with his young family. A career move to Alberta paused his sailing career until he discovered the joys of chartering sailboats in the Caribbean.
Following a 20-year career in industrial engineering and project management, Simon decided to make a change. He combined his passion and profession to launch Open Waters Design and Manufacturing in 2016.
He designed and manufactured an 18ft canoe, developing a plug and mold using his proprietary vacuum resin infusion process. After the successful build of the canoe, Simon went on to build a high-performance 18ft A-class foiling sailing catamaran out of carbon fibre, refining both the mold construction and the vacuum resin infusion process.
After researching the various build steps, Simon began with CNC shaping of a plug, hand-finishing, and building the hull molds. He also built the mast, Z foils, and Tee foil rudders. Following successful trials in Vancouver, BC, Simon embarked on his next ambitious project: designing and building the boat he had dreamt about for years.
A boat that could be shipped anywhere in the world, sailed on with his family, and returned to Vancouver for summer cruising — and would be electrically sustainable.
In 2019, Simon was introduced to Hal Whitacre, sparking a design partnership that culminated in the creation of the Open Waters ESC40. Since then Simon Angus has started Open Waters Solar . A marine solar company revolutionizing the marine world.
Hal Whitacre, owner of Whitacre yacht design since 1984 and is responsible for some of the fastest and most luxurious boats ever built.
Hal is Open Waters Chief Naval Architect and has worked closely with Simon over the past 2 years to produce the detailed designs that make up the Open Waters ESC 40.
Hal has a distinguished career in Naval Architecture graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Naval architecture and Marine Engineering.
Throughout his career he has pushed the boundaries of naval architecture notably designing the Open Class 60 “Imagine”; breaking ground with the largest rig ever put on an Open 60.
Hal also owns and operates Bruce Roberts USA and in that capacity, he has designed over 100 steel and aluminium boat kits in addition to many fiberglass and wood sail and power boats. Most recently, Hal was the chief Naval Architect for Gunboat Catamarans when they were built in the USA.
Since their move to Europe, Hal has completed 2 gunboat 55’s along with a conversation of a gunboat 55 to a powercat ferry which has recently conducted successful sea trials.
Hal and his wife Tammy split their time between Annapolis, Md and Sister Bay, Wi. Hal continues to race Lasers during the winter and windsurfs/foilsurfs as much as possible.
You can cruise the high seas for as long as you please., rachel cormack.
Digital Editor
This new superyacht line wants you to feel like you’re cruising in a sports car.
Sunreef Yachts wants to put an end to range anxiety once and for all.
The Polish shipyard today unveiled a new electric sailing catamaran with unlimited range that can sail the high seas endlessly without releasing any harmful emissions.
Billed as the “true expression of sustainable yachting,” the autonomous Sunreef 43M Eco is at the bleeding edge when it comes to green tech. Crafted from composite, the multihull will be equipped with Sunreef’s in-house photovoltaic system that will see solar panels seamlessly integrated into the hull, superstructure, bimini, boom and mast. According to the yard, the setup can generate up to 50 kWp of clean energy to power the onboard amenities.
The shipyard that built the ‘titanic’ has filed for bankruptcy.
The sleek vessel stretches 140 feet Sunreef
Speaking of power, the cat will be equipped with two 200 kW electric motors that promise a top speed of 14 knots and cruising speed of 11 knots. In addition, the cat comes with a set of high-performance sails that can harness additional power from the wind. What’s more, Sunreef says she’ll be fitted with an advanced hydro-generation system that keeps producing green power while under sail.
Eco-friendly touches can be found onboard, too. The catamaran’s light-filled interior, which offers space for up to 12 guests, will feature a curated selection of ethically sourced woods, natural fabrics and sustainable materials. The smart power and water management systems, meanwhile, promise to reduce overall energy consumption.
The ship has multiple terraces and lounge areas. Sunreef
It’s outdoors that the vessel really shines, though. To the aft, there is a large hydraulic platform and two fold-out bulwark terraces that can be lowered to create a vast walkaround beach club. Sunreef says this space can be completely customized with a bar, fitness area or storage room for water toys, for example.
Elsewhere, the generous flybridge comes fitted with a spa pool flanked by sunpads, a bar for alfresco cocktails and an outdoor movie theater, while the bow sports another spa pool and more lounge seating. There’s also a hidden aft garage that cleverly conceals two tenders, an inflatable catamaran and two tenders.
Of course, the best part is the fact that you can sail all day long, all year round.
Check out more images of the Sunreef 43M Eco below:
Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…
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Imagine an eco-friendly boat that blends into its environment without causing distruption or harm, while also offering a remarkably luxurious and relaxing experience. Fountaine Pajot have designed and built this very boat, transforming this dream into reality.
With a desire to always remain a pioneer in its field, the Fountaine Pajot Group began thinking about energy transition in the cruising industry in 2011 with the Eco Cruising concept, aiming to integrate as many renewable energy sources as possible on board cruising boats , especially through the use of a hydro-generation system. Since then, with the construction and launch of the first hybrid electric cruising catamaran , the Aura 51 SMART Electric, and the design and construction of the world’s first hydrogen-powered sailing catamaran , the Samana 59 Smart Electric REXH2 prototype, the Fountaine Pajot Group has become a leader in the green yachting industry.
Aura 51 Smart Electric, the new eco-friendly catamaran
A viable and effective solution based on the Aura 51 production series, the Smart Electric system, designed by Fountaine Pajot, is designed to be installed on every boat in its catamaran sailboat range. By 2025, 50% of Fountaine Pajot catamarans will be fully electric and 100% will be fitted with solar panels . By 2030, the Group aims to make 100% of its fleet electric and to phase out diesel engines.
Samana 59 Smart Electric REXH2 – The world’s first hydrogen-powered catamaran
The Samana 59 Smart Electric RexH2 features a revolutionary energy design comprising a REXH2 capable of delivering up to 70 kW of continuous power, a 63 kwh LiFePO4-EVEPOWER (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cell battery and 42 m2 of solar panels capable of delivering up to 6000 Wc. This energy mix means we can take advantage of all the renewable energies onboard the catamaran (solar, wind, and hydrogen). In port, the crew can fill up with hydrogen and recharge its batteries if necessary. All the technologies are managed by the Smart Cruising solution, an automated Power Management System for simple, intuitive control of this cutting-edge technology.
Aura 51 Smart Electric
Pioneering the Smart Electric system, the Aura 51 sets the course we are heading, as we will be integrating the system across the entire Fountaine Pajot range in the near future. The Fountaine Pajot design office, in collaboration with architects Olivier Racoupeau Design, has designed the Aura 51 Smart Electric to accommodate a large surface area of solar panels without affecting her appearance. Her large, user-friendly flybridge is fitted with 15.55 m2 of solar panels fully integrated into the catamaran’s line , capable of delivering 2000 Wc of energy to power two battery banks supplying up to 32 kwh each. An additional option produces 1.5 kw of energy by a hydro-generation system using the propulsion propellers’ reverse rotation when under sail.
The Dufour “Unicorn” Project
The first monohull yacht to be built using recycled, recyclable composite, this Dufour prototype is designed to prove the effectiveness of new, low-impact construction materials. The aim is manifold:
The ultimate aim is to deconstruct this eco-friendly yacht 100% in order to test its entire life cycle .
ODSea People
Sailing towards carbon neutrality
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