Two renowned architects for this catamaran
Windelo is a brand new catamaran brand. It starts from a blank sheet of paper. From the creation of his construction workshop in Canet en Roussillon (66) to the design of his models. For this, the manufacturer called on the tandem of Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman. These two men are known to design fast catamarans (Catana, Outremer, TS...). Using them is already a good trademark.
2 models to launch the range
To launch the range (which in the long term will go from 40 to 60 feet), the yard announces the construction of the Windelo 50 and 53.8. Two boats to be launched in 2020 (53.8 in July 2020 and 50 in October 2020).
Originally conceived with the same nacelle, these two boats will be very different in the end. With a longer hull length and more canvas (mast with 1 m more), the 53.8 will gain in performance. For these two boats, the facilities will offer the possibility of accommodating 2 to 4 cabins and 2 to 4 washrooms.
Steering stations inside
If the arrangements of the hulls are quite standard despite the central position of the daggerboards, the one of the nacelle is very particular. Indeed, the steering station is installed at the front, almost at the foot of the mast. The winches for manoeuvring inside! The helmsman will be able to hold one of the two wheel steering units. But a tiller option is even being considered!
Behind a small partition that delimits the helm station is a huge square with a large overhead door to close it at the rear. This means that there is no longer any separation between the cockpit and the saloon, which form a single space.
On the exterior design side, the architects also worked extensively with very elaborate window shapes and openings in the gunwale. Note that the visuals show drifting catamarans, but that a version with keels will also be available.
3 finishing versions
The boat will be available in 3 versions: Sport (with lightweight equipment to enhance performance), Adventure (a simple version to limit costs and facilitate maintenance) and Yachting (to give pride of place to luxury). While these versions will be identical in terms of sail area, it is on the materials used for the fittings that the differences will be made.
Eco-responsible
The construction of the hulls with basalt fibre and PUT foam (from recycling) is a step forward in an attempt to have a less impact on the environment. All Windelo's approaches (up to the green colour of the logo) are designed with this in mind. Let's hope that this is not only a marketing initiative, but that this project will really be a model for the yachting industry.
A dieselectrical motorization
The choice of motorization is also important, as the site is developing its own electric motorization. With its standard battery fleet (28.8 kW/h), the catamaran will have two hours of autonomy at 6 knots (enough to enter or leave a port). As an option, a 57.6 kW/h battery pack will offer an autonomy of 4 hours (always at 6 knots). Recharging will be done by hydrogenation (by letting the propellers rotate under sail), by solar panels or with a generator on board. A good idea to sail clean...
