While the multihull segment is more buoyant than ever, creating a new brand from scratch remains a major challenge. It’s no wonder then that Olivier Kauffmann, the director, is a born developer. He was Chairman of the Executive Board of Decathlon, founder of Orange Marine (online sales of marine equipment and clothing) and director of Cabesto (distribution of products for fishing, hiking and boating). Coming from the windsurfing generation, Olivier has also cultivated a taste for adventure: he took a year’s sabbatical to go on a big trip hitchhiking by boat! The nascent Windelo saga is also a family story: his son Gauthier, a young engineer with a passion for innovation, runs the business. To date, the range offers four models: a 47 and a 57 whose plans will be available in 2021, a 50 that is currently being finished and has already been sold, and a 54 that should be launched in the spring of 2021. Windelo called on the Christophe Barreau/Fréderic Neumann tandem, authors of a large part of the «classic» Catana range, the Outremer 45, 4X and 51, and the TS42 and TS5, among others. Their signature on a boat gives credibility, and the duo remains permanently at the forefront of creativity when it comes to designing high-performance catamarans. Jean-Pierre Prade - founder of Catana with Thierry Goyard - has joined the team as industrial director and consultant; Didier Perrin (Syltec Consulting) brings his skills in composites and Jean Paul Siaudeau (JPS Concept, Imoca preparation and Ultimate) is in charge of all electrical systems and propulsion. The École des Mines d’Alès, engineering school in the south of France is sharing its expertise in material resistance and assembly prototyping.
From left to right: Olivier Kauffman, Gauthier Kauffman and Jean-Pierre Prade
The Windelo concept
Our two site visits convinced us of the quality of the manufacturing. The open frame of the Windelo 50 (before the deck was installed) confirmed that it had an extremely resistant structure, with beautifully molded composites and robust samplings. The basalt fiber - spun in Russia and woven in Belgium - provides an amazing mechanical resistance and a black finish that evokes carbon. Associated with a high-quality polyester resin, this mixed sandwich (PET for low stress areas and PVC for bulkheads and all stress areas) should offer great durability and high mechanical homogeneity while significantly reducing the carbon impact of the manufacturing process. The silhouette of the Windelo 50 is typical of the Barreau/Neuman firm’s designs: the fine-entry bows and the increasing volumes integrate harmoniously. The generous forms seen aft are no doubt there in anticipation of the load of a long-range program, and the power-to-weight ratio should allow for very good performance However, it is perhaps above all the small ergonomic revolution - see inset - that will surprise multihull enthusiasts. The electric motors are connected to the folding propellers by propshafts, a guarantee of robustness and simple maintenance when cruising. The choice of appendages (daggerboards or skeg keels) will depend on the program.
WINDELO’S INNOVATIONS
- Limited need for manufacturing tooling
- Use of basalt fiber
- Use of PET foam (recycled for non-structural panels)
- A different take on the ergonomics
WINDELO 50 - TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Length: 50’ (15.24 m)
Beam: 26’ (7.92 m)
Laden displacement: 24,700 lbs (11.2 t)
Draft: 3’5” 7’7” (1.03/2.32 m) in daggerboard version/ 5’2” (1.58 m) in skeg keels version
Air draft: 76’ (23.15 m)
Mainsail: 950 sq ft (88 m²)
Solent: 465 sq ft (43 m²)
Code 3: 990 sq ft (92m²)
Gennaker: 1,735 sq ft (161 m²)
Engines: Hybrid electric with two 14kW motors
Basic price: € 735,000 excluding tax
A word from the architect - Christophe Barreau
“A blue water cruising program raises the question of the dichotomy between the search for performance under sail, the pleasure of sailing, and the development of pleasant and generous living spaces. The originality of the answer here lies in the layout of the forward cockpit for steering and maneuvering, as well as the layout of the living space in the nacelle. Aft of the mast, the «Targa» cockpit offers two helm stations protected from wind and spray with a good view of the sails and bows. All maneuvers are within reach, limiting traffic on deck. The forward cockpit is protected from the outside and opens onto the aft area on the same level, where the openings are mainly modular. We have focused our efforts on the geometry of the material and visual limits of this space and on the opening kinematics of the bays. Once opened, they «disappear» to transform the interior into an exterior! The generous size of the openings also makes it possible to modulate the ventilation. This work on modularity and the removal of limits can also be found at the extreme aft of the nacelle, with an articulated platform that transforms into a floor at anchor. In the aft cabins, the large window forms a curved corner, making the angle between the topsides and the aft face disappear. These choices allow us to combine a contained footprint of the nacelle with a guarantee of the weight control estimate and a generous living space. But it’s really all about the sailing and maneuvers. The slenderness of the forepeaks, the large bridgedeck clearance, and the attention paid to the centering of the masses only serve to showcase the boat’s maritime qualities. The «eco-design» approach focuses on materials and the construction principle that limits the use of molds by providing greater freedom in the design and evolution of the boats."
OPEN HOUSE EVERY FRIDAY
Since September 4th, Windelo will be offering visits to the yard every Friday by appointment. The teams will be waiting to introduce you to the range, give you the lowdown on the construction process as well as show you their many innovations. If a Friday isn’t convenient for you, don’t hesitate to contact the builder to arrange a different appointment.
WINDELO IS HIRING!
The boat builder is looking for a Head of Marketing and Communication. You need to be a real project leader and a gifted communicator…
www.windelo-catamaran.com
