An air cushion on a V-shaped hull
For several years now, Pascal Technologies has been developing systems derived from Surface Effect Ships (SES). Known as hovercrafts, this method involves injecting air under the hull to reduce friction, and hence the boat's fuel consumption. With the Alukin Ocean Air 8, produced in collaboration with the Nimbus Group, the company intends to demonstrate its relevance to consumer boating. Christian Wallin, Pascal Technologies Sales Director, explains: "The idea is to fit the ventilation system into a classic V-shaped hull. The efficiency is close to that of the foil, with a more versatile boat and a simple, robust hull."
A fan and a flap
From the outside, the Alukin Ocean Air 8 looks like any other 8-meter center console boat. Built in aluminum, it features swim skirts, a bow bench, a T-top console and wide side decks with generous bulwarks. The difference is hidden. A fan, located in the front trunk, draws in air via suction boxes on the inside of the bulwarks. It spits it out under the hull, forward, in a large volume recessed under the hull. The air is trapped under the hull and exits at transom level. The outlet speed is regulated by a large flap at transom level. Its angle, as well as the fan's flow rate, are controlled by software according to the boat's speed.
This reduces the wetted surface area by 70%.
Greater autonomy and lower costs
Powered by an Evoy Breeze 120 electric outboard powered by 2 batteries of 63 kWh each, the boat has a range of 35 miles at over 20 knots. The manufacturer claims to reduce fuel consumption by 30 to 40% compared with a conventional hull, taking into account the electrical consumption of the fan, which accounts for 10% of the total.
Christian Wallin explains: "So we can lower the price of a purely electric boat, because with the same battery capacity, the range increases, and we know that batteries are what cost the most. More than a fan."
The Alukin Ocean Air 8 is still in the prototype stage, so the price can be significantly optimized, and is advertised at ?199,000.
