These first days of sailing enabled the team to draw up a preliminary assessment of the energy mix on board and to analyse the first navigation tests with the kite of the ambassador ship, installed last April. This innovative mode of propulsion is used for the first time by this type of boat, and was developed by the German company Skysails Yacht.
This yacht kite system has been adapted from its counterpart for cargo ships and refined for use on pleasure boats. It is available for boats and superyachts of 15 m and over and helps to reduce fuel consumption, provide more range, offer sailing stability, improve reliability and deliver environmentally friendly performance.
To train the crew in the handling of the high altitude kite during these first 12 days of sailing, the Skysails Yacht team embarked in Lorient with the rest of the team. The two German engineers Xaver and Bernd organized and led tailor-made courses: presentation of the system, handling, maintenance, theory and application.
Thanks to the good weather conditions, the kite flew every day from Lorient, propelling Race for Water to Madeira at nearly 5 knots without electric motor consumption. The latter, driven by the propellers transformed into dynamo, by the propulsion of the ship, have even become energy generators recharging the batteries.
In ideal weather conditions, this kite of only 40 m2 towed the 35 m and 100 tons ship at an incredible speed of 10 knots!
According to Martin Gaveriau, the on-board engineer, the instantaneous power saved would amount to about 20 kW. "This is of course a working point, we're going to need hours of sailing to optimise this performance and refine the range of use. However, these initial tests are very encouraging."
Each crew member was able to test the kite, and all are unanimous on its efficient use. They will be able to continue to use the kite after 3 days of stopover in Madeira to disembark part of the crew, stock up on fresh food and welcome Marco Simeoni (President of the Race for Water Foundation) on board. From now on, Race For Water is preparing to reach Bermuda, which it will reach around 20 May 2017.
With this odyssey, SkySails Yacht GmbH intends to prove how important it is to re-imagine propulsion systems not only in commercial transport, but also to reduce emissions and highlight the environmental concerns of owners.
