AssetID: 55842421
Headline: Ferrari unveils its new Hypersail yacht's revolutionary self-sufficient power system as hull takes shape
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN Ferrari has revealed the self-sufficient onboard energy system that will power its revolutionary Hypersail yacht alongside new images of the superfast sailing vessel’s construction. The Hypersail’s 100-foot foiling monohull designed to compete in offshore ocean racing without relying on fossil fuels. The Italian firm said the vessel had been engineered to achieve complete energy self-sufficiency, using renewable power sources alongside energy generated by its crew. The project forms part of Ferrari's wider effort to transfer technology developed for its road cars and motorsport programmes into offshore sailing. Developed by the Ferrari Hypersail technical team in Maranello, the energy management system has been designed to maximise efficiency while integrating the yacht's various onboard systems. Ferrari said the all-electric approach was driven by the need to ensure energy independence during long-distance ocean passages, with power harvested from solar and wind sources. Crew members will also contribute to the yacht's energy supply. Above deck, sail trimming is carried out using a new Winch by Wire system, which converts the crew's physical effort directly into electrical energy rather than transmitting it mechanically or hydraulically. Below deck, the yacht's flight control systems and hydrofoil appendages are powered using energy recovered from renewable sources. High-voltage batteries store and distribute electricity to meet changing operational demands. “Hypersail is the first foiling monohull for ocean racing to achieve complete energy autonomy,” states Marco Guglielmo Ribigini, Technical Team Leader of Ferrari Hypersail. “Thanks to an electrical system that ensures the ideal balance between efficiency and performance, alongside innovative solutions such as Winch-by-Wire, all on-board adjustments are powered entirely by energy generated while underway.” Ferrari said its Winch by Wire technology replaces traditional winch arrangements by converting the crew's physical effort into electricity, which is then distributed across the yacht's sail control systems. The company said this allows crew members to maintain a steady and efficient cranking rhythm, even when loads increase. In conventional systems, greater resistance slows movement and increases physical effort. Ferrari said its technology reduces those effects by operating at what it describes as the optimum point for both electromechanical efficiency and human performance. According to the company, the system enables a single crew member to manage loads of up to nine tonnes. Electricity generated by the pedestals uses the same electric motors found in the active suspension systems of the Ferrari Purosangue and Ferrari F80. The power is fed into the yacht's electrical network, where it can drive sail-control winches or hydraulic pumps used for deck operations. Ferrari said the technology follows the same by-wire philosophy used in the new Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale car, in which mechanical gear changes are translated into electronic signals while preserving the feel of a conventional manual transmission. The yacht's electronic and hydraulic systems are powered exclusively by renewable energy. Electricity is generated through integrated solar panels and stern-mounted wind turbines, with surplus power stored in two identical 800V battery packs for later use. Walkable solar panels have been built into the deck and topsides, covering around 100 square metres. Ferrari said simulations of different sailing routes and latitudes were used to determine the most effective locations for the panels, helping to maximise energy generation while minimising additional weight. Wind turbines mounted at the stern can be installed or removed depending on sailing requirements. Ferrari said engineers focused on optimising the angle of airflow to achieve the best balance between energy generation and aerodynamic efficiency. New images also show the construction team working on the completion of the yacht - with its sleek hull taking shape at Ferrari’s shipyard ahead of its launch for sea trials in 2027.
Keywords: ferrari,hypersail,feature,video,photo,yacht
PersonInImage: