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Aquanima 40 solar yacht sea trial: ‘Exhilarating’ 24/7 autonomy

When Azura Marine’s Aquanima 40 catamaran was taken out for its solar yacht sea trial a few weeks ago it exceeded even its builders expectations.

Azura Marine CEO Julien Mélot said afterward  “Even I was surprised that we were able to immediately achieve cruise speed with such minimal power consumption. It gives us the clear confirmation that this is a true go-anywhere boat relying purely on the energy of the sun. It was exhilarating!”

Solar yacht sea trial took place off coast of Bali

The 4 hour trial took place in the Indian Ocean with around 10 knots of easterly breeze, all under the watchful eyes of Mount Agung, Bali’s live volcano

The boat, named ‘Solar Eclipse’, achieved a maximum speed over 8.5 knots (16 kmh/9.8 mph) and was able to cruise continuously at a speed above 4.5 knots (8.3 km/5.2 mph).

Most importantly, the cruising speed required less than 2 kilowatts (kW) of energy per hour while the boat’s solar roof was simultaneously producing 8 kilowatts through the 56 square metres / 600 sq.ft of solar panels on her roof,  which have a generating capacity of 10kW (peak). For energy storage the Aquanima 40 has a 60 kWh battery bank (LiFePO4 or Lead-Acid).

After 4 hours on the water she returned to her mooring with 100% battery charge and energy to spare.

The solar yacht sea trial tested the full spec version of the catamaran. All of the navigational and electronics systems were in operation and she carried 550 litres (550kg / 1,200 lbs) of fresh water and dive gear with 6 tanks and compressor. There was also a 6 person Zodiac Cadet 310 Alu tender aboard.

Years of research and development

This remarkable achievement in autonomy  is the result of years of research and trial and a smart marriage of traditional boat forms and the latest super-computer analytics and design technologies.

The original proof of concept for the company’s line of solar powered yachts and workboats was a modification of a ‘ jukung ‘, a traditional Indonesian outrigger fishing canoe. In 2016 Azura placed solar panels as a roof over one of the outriggers and a crew of 6 took the boat, ‘Surya Namskar’, on a 2,000km voyage across the Indonesian archipelago without any technical issue and without burning a single drop of fuel.

Watch this 18 minute documentary about the voyage of the Surya Namaskar

One of the co-founders of Azura is Xueqian Zhou, who leads research at Harbin Engineering University in Northern China. He took some of the learning from the Surya Namaskar and ran it through simulations on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to create the optimum design for the hulls of the Aquanima catamaran.

Efficiency and enjoyment for today’s market

For a yacht to be powered by only the sun, it has to maximize energy efficiency by having  minimal drag and resistance through the water. As it happens, Zhou’s hydrodynamic pontoons crafted to meet those requirements also fit nicely with the marketplace. He said “We see that the new trend for modern catamarans is to move away from inefficient boxy floating apartments towards performance yachts that are more enjoyable to use.”

Julien Melot agrees. “There is a new generation that wants to enjoy the experience up on deck more than the time spent in their cabins. Our CFD designed hull shapes are perfectly in line with this trend”.

Azura Commercial Director Simon Turner added, “Our customers are wanting something to ditch fossil fuels completely.  These people are not interested in thrashing around at 30 knots but more in having a joyous, silent, cruising experience safe in the knowledge that they are not harming our oceans and marine life. And they are not incurring a single cent of fuel cost.”

Range of solar boats and a new electric outboard

From its beginnings 15 years ago the vision of Azura Marine has been to “end the reliance of ocean going vessels on fossil fuels through the utilization of modern technology and advanced hydrodynamics.”

The Aquanima line of solar yachts (there is the 40 and also a 45 version) are only one example of their success in that regard. The company also offers solar water taxis/ferries, solar tourist boats, solar dive boats and a solar plastic collector, Plakman.  Plakman was awarded “Efficient Solution” status by Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse Foundation that promtoes the adoption of profitable solutions that protect the environment.

In their quest to provide compete solutions for a greener future, Azura also has their line of Manta electric outboards. The Manta 1.0 has  a shaft of about 2 metres/ 7 feet and brings electrification to a kind of outboard/sideboard motor that is very popular for small boats in South East Asia and South America.

The Manta 2.0 is a more familiar looking 5kW stern mounted outboard that was included in the solar yacht sea trial as the propulsion for the Zodiak tender. It has a waterproof Li-Ion battery pack and a system that enables fast charging from a mothership or from shore. The motor can be ordered from the Azura website and there is also a 10 kW version available, the Manta 3.0.

Aquanima 40 and 45: the details

The Aquanima 40 comes with 4 cabins and a convertible saloon double berth providing accommodation for up to 8 guests overnight or 12 guests during the day.  The yachts can be fully customised to owner requirements and include air conditioning, audio-visual systems, CCTV and high-quality domestic appliances. Standard navigation / communication equipment including chart plotter, solid state radar, VHF, AIS and autopilot are from Raymarine but other international leading brands and can be specified by the customer.

Aquanima catamarans are built in aluminium and certified CE cat. A. Hull scantlings follow Bureau Veritas rules.  The base boat sail away Aquanima 40 costs €495,000 and the Aquanima 45 costs €607,000 ex-shipyard.

One of the innovative purchasing options is the Evolution Package, which provides constant upgrades to software and hardware as solar, battery & hydro technologies keep improving in the months and years ahead.

• ← ePropulsion brings new Spirit, 48V batteries to US
• 38 electric boats create floating cinema on the Seine →

4 thoughts on “ Aquanima 40 solar yacht sea trial: ‘Exhilarating’ 24/7 autonomy ”

hi, why can they not say WHY this solar driven boat is better (on a technical side) than than the present solar boat competition they have if it is considered to be news? Does this solar boat have better batteries or/ and better more efficient solar panels or just to be another solar driven boat? Hank

These boats are arguably of equal or lower quality compared to their most prominent competitor Silent-Yachts, but they are also significantly cheaper for similar functionality. For someone who can afford a 500,000 euro solar powered boat but not one for 2 million euros this is your best, and probably only, option.

What has happened to Azura Marine (builders of the Aquanima 40)? I haven’t seen any news of them since 2020.

Azura Marine is no longer around, but the man behind it, Julien Mélot, has founded ZEN Yachts , who have launched the impressive ZEN 50. Julien will also be on this year’s Judging Panel for The Gussies.

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Solar powered yacht Aquanima 40 proves unlimited range capability on solar energy only!

• Draft 80 cm
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Aquanima showcases solar-powered yacht with lap of Bali

Boat builder Aquanima has demonstrated the capabilities of its newly launched Aquanima 40 Solar Eclipse model by completing a 220-nautical mile circumnavigation of Bali, delivered entirely on solar-sourced electric power.

The Aquanima 40 sourced power from its 56m 2  solar panel roof to drive the electric motors and charge the batteries, enabling night-time cruising and usage of all navigation and domestic systems, including the induction stove, fridge, hot water, air conditioning, filling of five dive tanks, regular charging of the Azura Marine Manta 2.0 electric outboard on the yacht’s Zodiac tender, and provision power for fresh water production.

The company said that the objective of the circumnavigation was not only to test the range capabilities of the yacht, but also to test the catamaran in a wide variety of weather conditions, while also putting all of the yacht’s onboard systems to the test. Aquanima was keen to learn how the yacht truly performs in scenarios as would be encountered by the cruising owner.

With approximately 30% overcast conditions, the solar roof produced an average of 45kWh per day. Peak solar power production was 10,700W with typical daytime production of 8kWh between 10.00am and 2.00pm while consumption by the motors, navigation and domestic systems were between 2kWh and 6kWh. This excess ensured that the yachts’ 60kWh battery bank could be kept fully charged and ready for night-time cruising when needed.

The company says that the Aquanima 40 is the world’s only commercially available yacht that can cruise 24/7 without any need for generators, diesel engines or shore plug-in – all the power comes from sunlight.

The hulls of the yacht are said to be scientifically designed with highly efficient full displacement hydrodynamic forms with the principal objective of reducing resistance (as opposed to achieving higher speeds) to enable minimal energy consumption and therefore continuous operation purely on solar electric power.

Simon Turner, commercial director at Aquanima, commented, “We now have the data to show customers that the boat is truly self-contained and it is absolutely clear that our customers are wanting something different and to ditch fossil fuels altogether. This trip was just how a real owner might use the boat. Some long passages, night passages, bay hopping, diving, exploring ashore and, of course, cooking up some great meals.”

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Aquanima 40: New Solar-Powered, Blue-Water Cruising Cat

Azura Marine just launched the first boat in a new line of solar-powered, blue-water cruising catamarans in Bali, Indonesia, called the Aquanima 40. The new cat is designed to be self-sustaining, and the company says it can complete “non-stop ocean voyages powered only by sunlight.” And it costs about $540,000.

Based in Singapore, Azura was started in 2012, and has been building solar-powered ferries and dive boats ever since. The Aquanima 40 is its first entry into the recreational market, and the company says it will launch a 45 before long.

The Aquanima 40 has 602 square feet of solar panels mounted on the coach roof, providing power to twin 10kW electric engines and feeding a 60kWh battery pack. It has a top speed of 10 knots. The company says its range is virtually unlimited at 4 knots. On solar power alone it can cover 100 nm in 24 hours; on battery power it has a range of 50 nm.

The boat generates all its power from the solar panels during the day. The solar power is stored in the batteries to be used at night to drive the boat and power the house systems.

The solar/electric power means the boat is almost silent under way, with no vibration or smoke or carbon emissions. On the coach roof, the solar panels are embedded, rather than bolted on, and they double as a huge catchment system for rainwater.

Built in Bali, the Aquanima 40 has a simple, straightforward design, with a highly efficient hull. It has four cabins for eight guests, and is fully equipped with air conditioning, a water maker, ice maker, stovetop and sink. The head and shower are on the main deck for easy access.

The first boat is made of fiberglass. Subsequent boats will be made from marine grade 5083 aluminum.

Specs.: LOA: 43’4”; Beam: 19’6”; Draft: 2’1”; Disp.: 14,000 lbs.; Water: NA; Power: 2x10kW electric motors. Read more:

http://azura-marine.com

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Solar Powered Yacht Proves Unlimited Range Capability 

During a four-hour long sea trial off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, Solar Eclipse achieved a maximum speed over 8.5 knots against her theoretical hull design speed. Most importantly, the yacht was able to cruise continuously at a speed above 4.5 knots using less than 2 kilowatts (kW) of energy per hour whilst simultaneously producing over 8 kW of energy from her solar panels.  This means that the yacht returned to her mooring with 100% battery charge and with huge capacity to spare even after conducting several high speed tests while navigation and domestic systems were used throughout the sea trials.   Azura Marine CEO Julien Mélot commented, “During these exceptionally difficult times with most of the world still under some form of lockdown, we are very grateful to the Balinese maritime authorities for allowing us a few hours at sea to put Solar Eclipse to the test. Admittedly, even I was surprised that we were able to immediately achieve cruise speed with such minimal power consumption giving us the clear confirmation that this is a true go-anywhere boat relying purely on the energy of the sun.”   The Aquanima 40 “Solar Eclipse” has a 10 kWp solar roof for 10 tons of displacement, offering presently and by far the best ratio solar power/displacement on the blue water solar yacht market. She carries a 60 kWh battery bank which is easily kept topped up to 100% during the day by her solar roof. This means the yacht has unlimited continuous range, 24/7, day and night, purely from her solar-electric systems with no need for shore plug in or fossil fuels.  This gives the yacht total autonomy (supported by her rainwater collecting solar roof, onboard water-maker and a few more bespoke unique energy-saving systems) to enable absolute freedom in the remotest corners of the planet. This is achieved without producing any harmful emissions, pollution, vibration or smells and giving near silent operation for the owners.   Commercial Director Simon Turner said, “We have had an unprecedented amount of interest in the boat from all over the world in the short time since Solar Eclipse was launched. We now have the data to show customers that the boat is truly autonomous and it is absolutely clear that our customers are wanting something different and to ditch fossil fuels completely. These people are not interested in thrashing around at 30 knots but more in having a joyous, silent, cruising experience safe in the knowledge that they are not harming our oceans and marine life, let alone not incurring a single cent of fuel cost.”

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Singapore’s Azura Marine Splashes All-Solar Catamaran

BY APB Staff on 12 May 2020

The new yacht built out of Indonesia offers 24/7 solar sailing

Solar-powered catamarans are quickly becoming a major topic of interest, as designs are leaping out from yards around the world. One of the more interesting projects is emerging from a small yard in Bali, Indonesia, where a 13.25-metre, all-solar powered catamaran, the Solar Eclipse , was launched on May 9.

Built by Singapore-based Azura Marine, Solar Eclipse is the first in the Aquamina 40 series, which will enjoy unlimited range on its solar cells, with no need for plugging in.

“Our heart and soul are in pure, solar-powered yachting,” says Simon Turner, a long-time veteran of the Asian yachting industry and now business development manager for Azura Marine. “Our yachts have no need for fossil fuels, no need to plug in to shore power, no need to stop. Our yachts are capable of day and night, 24/7 cruising.”

Azura Marine was founded by naval architects and engineers Julien Melot and Zhou Xueqian in 2012 with the aim of developing emissions-free boating.

Four years ago, Belgian-born Melot, who worked in ship construction in Singapore, experimented on a small Indonesian outrigger fishing boat, fitting it with a solar canopy. That boat, Surya Namaskar, has since travelled extensively in Indonesia on solar power alone. 

Zhou is a professor of hydrodynamics at China’s Harbin University, and he used super computers to test and design the Aquamina 40’s hulls for maximum efficiency and for blue water capability.  

Azura Marine’s yachts will have emergency generators as back up, and hybrid models are available. According to Azura Marine, the onboard electric motors only need a small bearing change (about US$5) after 20,000 hours, otherwise the engineering is maintenance free. 

On the new Solar Eclipse , a solar roof area of 58m2 charges a 60kWH battery bank. Twin 10kW e-propulsion engines are used to generate speeds of up to 10 knots. On battery, the Solar Eclipse has a range of 50nm, while on solar power alone, the boat can cover 100nm in 24 hours. Though relatively slow going, the ability to forego shore power and bunkering could be big pluses for owners cruising far-flung island locations in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. 

The 13.25-metre Solar Eclipse has a beam of six metres and six berths. The roof, where solar panels are embedded rather than bolted on, doubles as a rainwater collector.

The first Aquamina 40, Solar Eclipse , was built in fiberglass, but according to the company, all subsequent hulls will be built in marine-grade, 5083 aluminium. Azura Marine also offers a range of other boats besides yachts, including ferries, dive boats and plastic collector boats.

www.azura-marine.com

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