Christophe Barreau is the architect of the TS 50 (production is stopped after 7 models built) as well as the TS 42 of which more than 10 models have already left the Marsaudon Composites shipyard in Lorient.
When designing these boats, Christophe had named his plans TS for "Très Simple". It was a kind of code name for the project, but it sums up the philosophy of these boats. Catamarans that are simple to operate, simple to maintain and simple in their layout. The objective of these simple boats is of course performance. The simpler it is, the lighter it is and the faster it goes.
A client approached the architect with a very particular project. He was looking for a catamaran that could be stored in a container to send it to the end of the world. The objective: to build several one-designs to organize a regatta in the Northwest Passageâeuros¦ A truly atypical project.
This mysterious client found an attentive ear with Christophe Barreau. Indeed, he has sailed many times on his boats and especially likes to go and tickle the ice of the North. That's all it took for our architect to jump into the deep end.
The TS 3 is about 35 feet long. It is made of 2 floats, 2 beams and a pod that can be dismantled to enter the container. The whole is very light since the basket all in carbon, weighs only 120 kg.
Only the nacelle will be habitable with 2 double beds and a square space in the center for meals or navigation. The hulls, for safety reasons, will be entirely watertight with intermediate bulkheads to limit the waterways in case of forced encounter with the ice.
These boats will be powered by electric pods that will also act as hydro generators during sailing. These 3.6 KW motors are currently being developed by Naviwatt. They will be powered by lithium batteries in each hull. In addition to the use of the hydro-generators to recharge the batteries, solar panels will also be installed on the deckhouse.
The weather conditions in the Far North are very particular. There are often calm periods during which it is possible to sail or stormy periods where it is necessary to take shelter. Therefore, the race will allow the use of electric motors during the event. The boats will leave with empty batteries and will have to create and manage their energy. It will be necessary to make choices between using the engine with a limited autonomy or sailing slower to rechargeâ?¦ All this depending on the weather.
A project that is taking shape (launch of the first example planned for April 2017) and that we can't wait to follow as it is so innovative.
TS3
- Length : 11,00 m
- Float : 11,00 m
- Width : 5,50 m
- Minimum draft : 0,35 cm
- Air draft : 16,70 m
- Displacement : 2,67 t
- GV surface : 44 m2
- Solent surface : 19 m2
- Genoa area : 50 m2
- Surface area of trinquette : 8 m2
- Gennaker surface : 72 m2
- Shipyard : Marsaudon Composites
