testing said: “with DSS, the waves do not exist”.
The key driver for fitting DSS to
Canova was to increase comfort for the owner and his guests on long offshore and ocean passages. Baltic Yachts have delivered and some. The development of the sail inventory focused on the key drivers which were easy sailing, but more importantly, efficient sailing. The team studied and debated the merits of the quad sail for a significant time before committing to it. Infiniti Yachts had already developed a modern quad sail in a wind tunnel and used it in the real world, so it seemed an intelligent choice, but the decision was not taken lightly.
What we have learned is that the quad is a true breakthrough. It’s a workhorse sail that can remain hoisted in all conditions, unlike a racing code zero, and it has a much wider range and performance band than any other furling sail. The two sheets do add some work for the crew, but the proof of the pudding is that this is the most popular sail on board and is used extensively. The quad sail in conjunction with the DSS were both tested extensively on passage from Finland to Genoa. On the passage across Biscay in January, Baltic’s after-sales representative, Sam Evans, who was aboard for the delivery, reported that the yacht was much easier to handle with the foil deployed, as boatspeed averaged between 20 and 22kts and topped out at 24kts. ‘We were sailing pretty deep at about 140- 150°(true wind angle) which isn’t the optimum angle for using the foil, but it still made a big difference,’ says Evans, who adds that they were sailing conservatively in terms of sail choice (a reefed main and staysail). Evans predicts that the real benefits will become apparent on an ocean passage when the foil will really come into its own in terms of comfort and the crew will be able to take advantage of optimum wind conditions and sea state with the appropriate sail plan. Mattia Belleri, the project manager and skipper of Canova, was particularly effusive in his praise of the quad: ‘I love it. I am constantly surprised at the performance gains and how versatile the sail is. We have sailed at 14kts in 9kts of wind, which for a superyacht of this size and displacement is fantastic.’ It is testament to the team at Baltic that a yacht of such complexity took on Biscay in January, with conditions that sometimes exceeded 50kts of wind, so soon after launching. For a yacht that looked on paper to be perhaps overly complex with significant developments in sail
Above: the transverse sliding DSS foil is right under the owner’s
cabin so its operation had to be silent. Sailing upwind in 20-24kts of breeze, the foil boosts VMG by a quarter of a knot while reducing heel by 30 per cent which means it generates the same righting moment as 33 tonnes of extra ballast in the keel bulb. Even that is less impressive than the 42 per cent reduction in pitching that the DSS foil achieves in the same conditions. Right: the front half of the cockpit is sheltered by a long, solid bimini. Also remarkable is the hydro generating system that enables the yacht to operate in ‘silent mode’ for extended periods of time
handling, rig setup, sail shapes and geometries and retractable foils, it is particularly pleasing to see all these features performing as expected. The realisation of a vision held by the owner is the most pleasing thing for the team at Baltic. To be able to take a vision and deliver it whilst pushing boundaries, opening new frontiers and yet retaining the integrity and reliability for which the yard is renowned is no small achievement. For the remainder of the year
Canova will be sailing in the Mediterranean before stretching her legs further afield. During this time further studies and tests will be carried out with partners Bosch, in order to further understand quite how the DSS foil transforms the comfort levels for those fortunate enough to be sailing aboard. The data logged and lessons learned indicate that this is just the beginning of the revolution and it’s reasonable to expect significant further gains in the next generation of superyachts. The DSS foil is proving to deliver a groundbreaking reduction in heeling and pitching, and the door is open to take even greater advantage of this technology, resulting in yachts that are lighter
and more efficient but also more comfortable, which is contrary to the long held sentiment that weight delivers comfort. The additional performance has knock-on benefits for the green credentials of the yacht as hydrogeneration is more efficient thanks to increased performance. In marginal conditions, the DSS foil can often offset the drag penalty of the hydrogeneration.
Green credentials are not simply about low emissions but a quantum step forward in system management aboard the yacht. With regeneration that develops 35kW at 20kts of boatspeed it is entirely possible for Canova to cross oceans without resorting to diesel power in any form. This is unheard of for a superyacht and a testament to the R&D programme and investment that Baltic Yachts has made. It is not just about the
performance, we are seeing gains across the board in this game- changing superyacht, and this is very much just the beginning. The next generation yacht of this ilk could be even lighter whilst maintaining the qualities, comfort and features that make a Baltic yacht unique.
www.balticyachts.fi
q SEAHORSE 63
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