Zefiro debuts at METS in Amsterdam

Zefiro is a fully foiling, fully electric design platform. It combines fast, efficient navigation with comfort and safety. Far from being merely a concept, Zefiro is an operational project backed by a thorough feasibility study. Designed for a vessel carrying eight passengers plus the driver, it was developed by Adidesign, led by Costanza Brusa, Paolo Portinari and Mario Bonelli.

Zefiro’s technological and innovative strengths rest on three design pillars.
1. A “dual-mode” hull derived directly from the latest generation of America’s Cup boats. The advantages of “flight” do not compromise performance when the boat operates in displacement mode at low speeds, where it remains stable and safe. “Take-off” occurs early, at around 12 knots.
2. An entirely novel retractable foil system (patented by Zefiro) that allows the foils to be fully concealed within the hull profile. This means reduced draft, greater safety and increased structural strength. Once deployed, the foils ensure consistently smooth navigation (waves are not felt), speed, manoeuvrability and comfort.
3. Latest-generation electric propulsion with zero emissions and zero noise (apart, of course, from hydrodynamic noise). Range exceeds 70 nautical miles. Maximum speed is 28 knots, with a cruising speed of 20 knots. It could go faster, but given its intended use, doing so would be unnecessary and misguided if comfort, safety and sustainability are to be ensured.

The combination of foils + electric propulsion brings out the best in both technologies: when “flying”, resistance in the water is minimal, and so is energy consumption. This makes electric propulsion a genuinely realistic, highly efficient option.

Zefiro’s ideal environment? Inland waters, waterways where combustion engines are prohibited, and tourist destinations. Zefiro is also designed to be the perfect superyacht tender: efficient, exceptionally comfortable underway, exclusive and, equally importantly, easy to stow in garages with either side or stern access. Extensive customisation options are available for colours, fabrics and accessories.

ZEFIRO PROJECT - IN SHORT

 1. PATENTED RETRACTABLE FOIL KINEMATICS  (UIBM N° 102025000015892 EU patent application pending).
• Retractable and Concealed: wings fold completely inside hull contours at rest for shallow waters and easy docking.
• Pure Rotational Motion: articulated pantograph mechanism eliminates sliding components to prevent jamming.
• Zero Deck Encroachment: housed entirely below deck, keeping passenger space 100% clear.
• Direct Mechanical Control: whole frame rotation adjusts incidence angle eliminating fragile underwater mechanism; fully maintainable afloat.

2. PROPRIETARY HULL GEOMETRY & WATERLINES
• High displacement Stability & Soft Wave Impact: maximizes lateral stability at low speeds and reduces dangerous drags and nose diving in waves.
• Early Take-Off Efficiency: optimal hull and wing synergy engineered to generate sufficient lift at minimum speed.
• Simulation-Driven Design geometry resulting from static, dynamic and transient CFD calculations

3. EFFICIENT POWERTRAIN & SCALABLE HULL PLATFORM
• Game Changing E-Mobility: minimal hydrodynamic drag during flight dramatically extends battery range, making electric propulsion genuinely viable for commercial and leisure marine transport.
• Optimized Flight Speed: rapid acceleration to 12 kn take off speed, reaching maximum energy efficiency at a 20 kn, comfortable cruise speed. Power Delivery: 60kW cont.

4. SCALABLE & MODULAR VEHICLE PLATFORM
• Integrated Rigid Chassis: single structural platform unifying dedicated waterlines, foil kinematics, powertrain & midship battery pack.
• Fully Scalable System: platform dimensions are easily adaptable.
• Flexible Deck Configurations: Urban Water Taxi: fast, silent & non-invasive transport for rivers, lakes & urban waterways - Superyacht Tender: smooth, dry ride with zero wave impact. Zero emission compact tender compliant with protected marine areas - Tourism & Resorts: sightseeing tours and island connections offering an exclusive flying experience.

ZEFIRO PROJECT - THE PEOPLE
Mario Bonelli, trained as an architect at Politecnico di Milano and as an industrial designer at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan. He has led his professional architecture and design studio in Milan since 1992. A sailor, racing yachtsman and cruising navigator, he has focused primarily on industrial and marine product design since 2005, designing production and one-off boats.

Paolo Portinari, a yacht designer specialising in computational fluid dynamics and composite product engineering, has worked for over thirty years in design and the development of complex objects, from initial drawings through to detailed execution. He has designed and collaborated on the design of numerous sailing and motor boats, earning prestigious awards for design and engineering.

Francesco Fiorentini, an engineer trained at Politecnico di Milano, began his career at CNR when artificial intelligence was still the stuff of science-fiction films. After working in Germany and Austria, he joined the Cannon Group in 1995 to build industrial machinery (selling it first!). Since then, he has held various roles, always working hands-on with technology.