Windelo 50 sustainable option by the Journal du Nautisme

Jan 4, 2022

Discover below the article from the Journal du Nautisme, published on December 3, 2021, on the occasion of the Paris Boat Show (Nautic). A great showcase of Windelo's innovations and our commitment to eco-responsible and sustainable boating.

Although not exhibiting at the Nautic boat show, the Windelo 50 is one of those recent models that deserves special attention. The Canet-en-Roussillon shipyard has adopted a strong eco-design approach, notably through the use of a composite material that blends basalt fibers and recycled PET.

With the support of researchers from Mines d'Alès, Windelo has developed an eco-friendly composite that combines basalt fiber and recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) foam. Windelo claims that this allows it to reduce the environmental impact of its catamarans by 47% compared to traditional composites made of fiberglass and PVC foam.

Let's look at the details. Basalt is a rock formed from volcanic eruptions and is a major component of the oceanic crust. Extreme resistance, particularly to fire, enhanced acoustic and electrical insulation, non-toxicity, and tensile strength superior to fiberglass... Basalt fibers offer several interesting characteristics for marine construction. Recycled PET comes from the processing of used plastic bottles, and this new lifecycle is inherently more sustainable.

The Windelo 50's propulsion system also has its advantages: its electric drive is powered by two lithium battery banks connected to solar panels located on the coachroof and side decks (3,000 W). In addition, there is a hydrogeneration system, and in case of emergency, a generator can take over.

The next challenge, to complete the eco-sustainable picture, will be to design a clean dismantling process, a global challenge for the nautical industry.

Windelo 50: Speed and modularity

From a design standpoint, Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman aimed to create a high-performance boat capable of long-distance cruising while minimizing the carbon footprint of the adventure. The rigging is powerful, the daggerboards, centered on the floats, are retractable – it's always good to have one less point of drag – and the boat boasts a light displacement of 11.2 tonnes, which is reasonable for a 50-footer equipped for long-distance cruising.

All that remains is to play the trump card: the modular cockpit. The separation between the cockpit and the saloon is actually a hinged door that folds flat against the saloon ceiling, so that at anchor, the exterior space merges seamlessly with the interior, offering a truly exceptional living platform for a boat of this size. The helm station is located forward of the saloon, just aft of the mast where the controls are centered. This facilitates communication between the helmsman and crew, and also balances the weight distribution, improving the catamaran's stability and therefore its speed.

Inside, the central galley opens onto the forward cockpit . The saloon features a chart table at the foot of the forward cockpit; in the saloon, near the helm station, the quarter berth will prove very useful while underway. Once unfolded, the saloon table can seat 6 to 12 people. At anchor, a similarly sized table can be added – thanks to the modular design!

The cabins are located in the hulls, and you will be able to choose the layout and the number of sleeping berths. The organization will depend in particular on the galley configuration chosen beforehand, whether you opt for a U-shaped or L-shaped layout. One constant: the owner's suite is quite impressive with its large bed and abundant natural light. Beyond these layouts, the Windelo 50 is available in three ranges: Adventure , Yachting , and Sport . It is also nominated for the 2022 European Yacht of the Year award in the large cruiser category; a jury of 12 European journalists will announce their verdict at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, after having tested it, like the other boats, in Barcelona.