A sailboat for racing and family sailing
Thomas Tison is a French naval architect who works on the America's Cup with Ineos. He had previously designed a Mini 6.50 model with a longer length and a square nose . Today he presents Elida, a high-tech wooden sailboat designed for a German owner who loved classic boats and wanted a unit for cruising and racing, especially the Fastnet.
Thomas Tison explains: "This is a boat for a family that loves to race and already owns a Swan 48. It's a break from boats that are only used for racing. I introduced technical content, inspired by the America's Cup. We also thought about the long term, creating a boat that keeps its value and can be passed on to the next generations."
A sought-after wood construction
The hull is an assembly of 4 layers of very light Alaskan spruce wood, usually used for the construction of masts and glued together. The exterior is a thin layer of 2 mm varnished mahogany. The carbon deck stiffens the whole and was built at Multiplast, in Vannes. The whole thing was assembled in a small yard in northern Germany and the total weight is 7760 kg.
Thomas Tison details: " As an architect, we wonder what to do to change what exists. What new materials to use? We are looking to use noble materials for custom boats and have opted for wood construction. The hull shape with its flared superstructure has the curves of the classic yachts and also takes into account the comfort aspect on board which is important. The construction aspect was the most important. We had a scientific approach to wood, we studied the way it works, the assembly to save weight, the hydrodynamicsâeuros¦ We conducted fluid studies on the hull, the bulb and made performance analyses. The wooden hull absorbs more sound than a carbon hull and does not weigh too much. The weight is equivalent to fiberglass technology boats."
A new kind of lifting keel
Elida is equipped with a ballast system and a lifting keel, a new system inspired by the keel structure of the Baltic Pink Gin 6, on which the architect worked at the time.
It how: "On the Pink Gin 6, the shaft runs through the entire boat. The keel is guided vertically, but takes up a lot of space. On sportboats, type J, the keel moves from left to right and cannot be raised at sea. This new system, inspired by the Blatic, does not go all the way through, which saves space inside and visually. The keel is parallel on the sides and the forces are controlled at the level of the ascent by a carbon structure."
The rig is made of high modulus prepreg carbon with carbon shrouds. The rigging screws are below deck for a cleaner design and less drag. The sail area upwind is 138 m2.
An uncluttered interior
Inside, everything has been opened up to increase space. The interior layout is different from the classic yachts with a chart table positioned under the companionway to be well protected. On the starboard side, there is a waxing closet and storage. The boat has been designed for use in the North Sea and is equipped with a heater and hand warmers.
Performance research
Regarding speeds, the designer announces surfing at 30 knots in adequate conditions.
Thomas Tison explains: "We went through all the boats that worked well on the Fastnet, like the Ker 46, the Tonnerâeuros¦ The hull shape is quite flared and it works well on the Fastnet where we do a lot of près."
New projects to come
If Elida is a luxurious prestige yacht, a sort of collector's item for a demanding owner, Thomas Tison is working on two new boats, with a pure design and elegant lines, including a 12m daysailer.
