Sailing yacht Zero opens the door to fresh perspectives and ushers in collective thought. To create a new reality and manifestly prove that an all-electric sailing boat can be built. She goes beyond the boundaries of design, naval architecture and engineering, where comfort levels are high and environmental impact is low. Harnessing three forms of sustainable energy – hydro, solar and wind – Zero is a bid to change the direction of global marine travel.
Defined by flowing, fluid lines and organic shapes, her design captures wildlife’s inherent ability to travel freely. Svelte and lightweight, when under sail the boat propels through water without a trace while harvesting electrical energy with her eye-pleasing classical lines hiding a wealth of intricate details.
Before her keel was laid in September 2022, Zero had undergone over 60.000 manhours of intensive R&D and transitioned through numerous prototypes, using an existing fleet as a live test bed to trial all methods. More than a vessel, Zero will also serve as a platform for scientists and researchers to further the research on renewable technologies.
If ever there was a boat that could change the status quo, this is it. From inside out, Zero puts creativity to the fore and leaves the rule book in its wake
MARNIX J. HOEKSTRA, CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR
The sail boat holds high density lithium-ion and PCM salt batteries that are calculated for storing five megawatt hours of energy. That’s the battery equivalent of 88 Tesla cars. Harvesting of energy comes from hydro generators, a wind turbine and 100m2 of hybrid solar panels which harness both electrical and thermal energy at an efficiency of 60%.
In effort to advance energy generation, supply and consumption in all spheres, all data pertaining to the project’s innovations and technological achievements will be made available through the open-source platform foundationzero.org. The platform openly shares new ideas, designs, data and learnings to promote the use of renewable technologies and energy efficiency.
| Current name | Zero |
| Design number | 7694 |
| Length | 68.85 m |
| Beam | 11.11 m |
| Draft | 8.4-5.0 m |
| Designer | Vripack |
| Naval Architect | Dykstra Naval Architects |
| Interior Design | Vripack |
| Builder | Vitters shipyard |
| Type of vessel | Panamax ketch |
| Hull type | Displacement |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Range | unlimited |
| Fuel capacity | 0 ltrs |
| Battery bank | 5,4 mW |
| Fresh water capacity | 25,000 ltrs |
| Owner & Guest | 12 persons |
| Crew | 9 persons |
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