The UpSideUp central unit is the basis of the entire ODS system. Originally developed for racing, it is now used for pleasure cruising. The most well known, but also the most spectacular, function of the system is the anti capsizing safety. This is function number one.
Since 2006 and the adoption on Alain Gauthier's trimaran for the Route du Rhum, this system has only made progress and has seen a good number of features added around the product.
Anti capsizing function
This is the main function. The unit is equipped with an integrated attitude sensor (or an external inertial unit) that follows the boat's movements. Depending on the preset settings, it will control actuators which can then act on the sails. The actuators can be cleats and snap hooks that release the sheets, but also actions on a hydraulic jack or on electric reversible winches.
Tension function on the sheets and rigging
UpSideUp measures the loads thanks to adapted sensors and proposes a complete supervision of the rigging: monitoring, alarms, data recordings, automatic discharge of the sheets, action on the automatic pilot to unload the boat
A load factor makes it easy to quantify how the boat is operated in relation to predefined thresholds.
Management of critical situations
By being connected to all the instruments on board (anemometer, depth sounder, AIS...), the UpSideUp unit can alert the crew of abnormal situations: oversold, collision, shoal approach, water flooding. The reactions which follow can go from a simple audible alarm which will alert the crew, to the modification of the course or the emergency stop of the boat by acting on the automatic pilot.
Man Overboard Alert
The UpSideUp is undoubtedly the most complete plant on the market for the man overboard function. Indeed, it can receive alerts from all possible MOB sources: AIS MOB beacons, radio, button or wireless remote control. There are also many actions. It is thus possible to automatically drop a buoy or a small canoe (John Buoy type), but you can also access the MOB interface on the application with the tracking of targets (even several targets), trigger an alarm, drop sails, emergency stop the boat, alert signal...
The UpSideUp product is available in 3 versions :
- Easy version . This is the basic package that does not require a computer to set it. It comes ready to be mounted and can activate 3 actuators. It is the ideal product for multihulls from 28 to 50 feet.
- Master Version . This is the version found on all ocean racing multihulls and boats from 15 to 65 feet. It can be fully configured from the Control Center software on the on-board PC. This one is designed to supervise the whole system and to make for example load monitoring in real time. The number of sensors or actuators is not limited. All UpSideUp functions can be activated according to the boat program, the allocated budget and the deck plan.
- Superyacht version . This is the most open version. In addition to all the functions of the Master version, it allows the development of custom applications. For example, you can imagine controlling the hydraulics on board or the tanks... The box can also be fitted into the control panels of the boats.
For whom and how much?
Even if the customers are more multihull users, the UpSideUp central can also address the owners of monohulls (to manage a too strong list for example). Today practically the entire fleet of racing multihulls (Multi 50, Ultim...) uses the product. But more and more cruising sailboats come here. The smallest one currently equipped is a Dragonfly 28 trimaran and large catamarans over 100 feet long also use it.
As for the price, you have to count from 3500 € for a departure kit - a reasonable price since it can save the boat! - and the budget of a 60 foot catamaran is around 12 000 € (a budget that can vary a lot depending on the options and functions chosen).
