FUTURE-E the eco-sustainable boat that flys on the waves
FUTURE-E the eco-sustainable boat that flys on the waves
FUTURE-E is the vessel that wasn't there. And now there is. Presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival which took place from 12 to 17 September, located in a suggestive green setting, it aroused irrepressible interest from visitors, professionals, technicians and the curious.
FUTURE-E was born from an innovative and unprecedented cutting-edge proposal by Centrostiledesign, the creative company led by Davide Cipriani, for sustainable, rapid and elegantly personalized mobility on water at the same time, cloaked in the latest vocations in the field of yacht design , capable of hybridizing the vessel with the most advanced styles, concepts and trends of car design.
FUTURE-E synthesizes the nautical, aeronautical and automotive industries to create a vehicle that flies on the waves supported by four foils with maximum sustainability. The eco-sustainable materials with which it is built maximize its respect for the environment. The avant-garde design, external and internal, makes it recognizable at a glance, connoting a strong and powerful personality.
With FUTURE-E Centrostiledesign has entered a futuristic nautical world where attention to sustainability, in terms of propulsion, construction materials and concept of use of the vessel is combined with courageous proposals in terms of both external design, such as "bodywork ” of the vessel, which is internal, for ergonomics, comfort and habitability. The use of foils as supports for the vessel improves sailing performance and, by reducing friction with the water to a minimum, allows for a limited use of power.
FUTUR-E uses an integrated kinematic system of automotive inspiration, similar to the suspensions of Formula 1 cars. The kinematics in particular manages in synchrony, with electro-hydraulic actuators, the movement of the foils with independent dynamics, under the control of a single control unit, equipped with an advanced six-degree gyroscopic system that monitors the performance of the vessel at different speeds for the management of the system that controls a large matrix of force data for each foil of the vessel. The plug and play mechanical kinematics can be installed indifferently on one of the four foils supplied, it has no openings towards the inside of the hull, making maintenance accessible even when the boat is in the water and offering handling very similar to that of a sports car.
The foils and the hull were tested and developed with simulations in a virtual ship tank (CFD), to control all the flow characteristics. The Foil Integrated Kinematic System is able to simultaneously manage the cant (opening) of the foils and the angle of incidence.
With a vision of cutting-edge nautical design, the body of FUTUR-E is designed with the styling cues of a supercar. The foils are perfectly integrated into the profile of FUTUR-E, limiting their size in its shape. The shape of the foils also acts as a socket for placing FUTUR-E on the deck of a superyacht or on any surface on land. The interior can accommodate the pilot and three passengers. The dashboard is a combination of wraparound screens. All navigation and engine data are ergonomically under the pilot's eyes.
Its structure is made of carbon fiber produced from 100% recycled fiber with structural reinforcements in recycled foam. The foils and rudders are also made of carbon fiber. All elements are recyclable.
In the first tests in water, FUTUR-E reached a maximum speed of over 32 knots, using an applied power of 85 kW. As the vessel's speed increased, the foils began to lift FUTUR-E. When reaching 8 knots, Foil Assisted mode was started and at 16 knots it entered Full Foiling mode, reducing water resistance to a minimum.
The foils and rudders provided a high response in the water, allowing maximum maneuverability being designed to provide self-stability, to ensure a very comfortable ride, minimizing the movement generated by the impact of the waves on the hull.
FUTUR-E's foils allowed for very smooth sailing helping to consume less energy and allowed travel on rougher waters with reduced resistance, keeping the passenger cabin highly comfortable.
In extreme conditions, you can retract the foils and use FUTUR-E like a classic boat.
THE DESIGNERS
DAVIDE CIPRIANI
Davide Cipriani, CEO of Centrostiledesign. He mainly deals with yacht design, born from his love for sailing since his childhood. He became passionate about the world of design and soon began his career in the family industrial design company that has been operating for over 30 years, focusing on the nautical industry. Davide now manages the company, leading 40 employees and dealing with many customers.
MASSIMO DE LUCA
Aerospace engineer graduated in Palermo, specialized in Naval Engineering in Poland.
Member of the +39 Challenger design team in the 32nd America's Cup, he was responsible for Naval Architecture and CFD analysis for major shipyards such as Ferretti Group (Italy) and Palmer Johnson (Monaco).
In Centrostiledesign he deals with Naval Architecture and Project Management.
ALESSANDRO STAY
Mechanical expert specialized in shipbuilding.
Since 2004 in Centrostiledesign where he manages the Molds Department. He is responsible for the Purchasing Office, the CNC Division and the Mold Department, leading 20 technicians. In his 17-year career he has worked on a huge number of projects for most international shipyards.