Navier, a Bay Area-based start-up building electric hydrofoiling watercraft, is announcing a $7.2M seed raise. Co-founded by MIT alumni Sampriti Bhattacharyya, PhD (CEO) and Reo Baird (CTO), Navier is building a new type of watercraft that cuts running costs by 90%. Navier’s approach combines hydrofoils, electrification, advanced composites and an intelligent software system. By unlocking an order-of-magnitude reduction in the cost of operating watercraft.
Boats are going electric and in recent times there have been a few venture backed start-ups working on marine electrification. But the biggest struggle in public adoption is the limited range for electric boats. By using electric hydrofoiling technology, the boats built by Navier eliminate the high hydrodynamic drag and aim to be the longest range electric vessels on the market at high speeds, achieving a 75 nautical miles range at 20 knots.
Reo Baird and Sampriti Bhattacharyya
“Navier is much more than an electric upgrade. We are fundamentally rethinking the boat as we know it. Hydrofoils not only allow electric boats to attain a practical range at high speeds, but they drastically reduce the operational cost of a vessel by a factor of 10X when compared to traditional boats with combustion engines. In addition, they deliver a vastly superior ride quality that eliminates sea-sickness since you’re foiling over the waves,” said Sampriti Bhattacharyya, co-founder and CEO of Navier.
Navier is perfecting its core foil control technology with the Navier 27 (N27), a recreational vessel. However, Navier’s longer term vision is to expand into solving the pressing issue of congestion in coastal cities by building robotaxis on the water.
“Hydrofoil craft are not new, but limitations in technology have restricted their performance and applicability. Hydrofoil craft are analogous to dynamically unstable aircraft, such as the F-35, so intelligent electronic control systems are required for flight. Solving this problem requires collaboration between experts in maritime, robotics and aerospace engineering to bring novel approaches to the challenges. Our team is developing a next-generation foil control system that will achieve unprecedented performance over a wide range of sea conditions,” added Reo Baird, Navier CTO.
Navier 27 sold out its first year of production (15 vessels) within two months of product announcement, and has a massive volume of inbound interest. Navier has also partnered with iconic boatbuilder Lyman-Morse to fulfill the first year of production for the Navier 27. The first two hulls of the model are currently under construction at the Lyman-Morse facility in Maine. The company plans to ramp up production to 400+ units by 2024.
Credits: Navier
Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo has launched its 49.9-metre superyacht, Almax, at its La Spezia facilities. Almax uses "green" methanol and fuel cell reformer technology for its hotel load, making it one of the few yachts pursuing alternative power sources for carbon-neutral cruising. Designed by Piero Lissoni and Zuccon International Project, Almax is part of a new line with four units already sold. The launch ceremony was attended by over 700 guests.The 50Steel will offer accommodation for guests across five cabins, including the owner's cabin, along with a gym and spa area.The fuel-cell technology on Almax converts biomethanol into electricity up to a maximum of 100kW, enabling the yacht to operate at anchor emission-free. Sanlorenzo estimates this could account for up to 90% of a superyacht's typical usage time with zero emissions.The yacht also features a Hidden Engine Room (HER), a patented design that conceals the engine room on the lower deck, freeing up space for a 150-square-metre "Ocean Lounge" beach club with a pool and sea terraces. This design also allows for a split-level layout with head heights ranging from 2.1 to 3.35 meters.The yacht is scheduled for delivery in July 2024.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
May 20, 2024
Sacs Tecnorib returns to the Venice Boat Show, the event that offering to the +30,000 expected visitors the chance to admire more than 300 boats from 220 exhibitors. The show will be held at the historic setting of the Arsenale from May 29 to June 2. On display will be the Strider 11 and 15. Strider 15Thanks to the collaboration with the dealer Italian Yacht Store, the company will have the opportunity to display on the water at stand P2 Sud the sporty and elegant Strider 11 and Strider 15: two of the brand’s best-selling models thanks to the exclusive lines designed by Christian Grande, the build quality, and the confidence they convey in all marine and weather conditions. Strider 11Sacs Tecnorib Spa was established in 2021 from the union between TecnoRib srl and Sacs srl. Sacs tecnorib spa is the official licensee of Pirelli brand inflatable boatsCredits: Sacs Tecnorib Spa
May 20, 2024
Turkey’s Yonca Shipyard is making significant strides in the yachting industry with the launch of its new sailing brand, Mishi Yachts. Specializing in carbon-composite sailing yachts over 24 meters, Mishi Yachts introduces its first two models: the Mishi 88 and Mishi 102, blending power, elegance, and motoryacht comfort.Mishi 102Yonca Shipyard, renowned for its 38 years of experience in composite boatbuilding, is venturing into the leisure market with Mishi Yachts. This new brand aims to cater to those seeking high-volume, comfortable sailing yachts ideal for families and groups.The Mishi 88 made its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September, impressing attendees with its spacious design and exceptional headroom. Initially built in 2019 for Yonca Shipyard’s Chairman and founder, Şakir Yılmaztürk, the yacht was designed for family cruising. Feedback from brokers at the show confirmed a strong market demand for such comfortable and voluminous sailing yachts.Mishi 88. Credit: Pozitif Studio“It was rewarding to hear in Cannes that we had hit the nail on the head with the Mishi 88,” says Yılmaztürk. “People cannot believe how much space there is on board, and the headroom below is exceptional. Working with Taka Yacht Design, our intention all along was to bring the comforts of motoryachting to the more refined platform of a sailing boat.”Following the success of the Mishi 88, Yılmaztürk embarked on creating a larger model, the Mishi 102. This 102-footer will be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2024. Designed to meet full RINA classification, the Mishi 102 promises cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art engineering, and luxurious accommodations for eight guests and four crew members.Both Mishi yachts are constructed using foam sandwich carbon composite, leveraging Yonca Shipyard’s expertise in building fast, light patrol boats. This material ensures efficient, resilient hulls with generous internal volumes, providing an extraordinary lifestyle afloat.Mishi 88. Credit: Pozitif StudioThe yachts feature a well-protected, spacious cockpit with a carbon-fiber bimini for shaded dining. Below deck, the airy saloon offers flexible dining and lounging areas, high-low tables, and an open-plan galley. The standard configuration includes a large ensuite owner’s cabin at the bow and additional guest cabins aft of the saloon, with flexible sleeping arrangements. Crew quarters are located in the forepeak, and a sizable tender garage is positioned at the stern.Interior styling of the Mishi yachts can be customized to the owner’s preferences. The Mishi 88, for instance, showcases a timeless palette of pale greys and beiges, with variable lighting to create different moods. The interior is designed with practicality in mind, featuring plenty of handholds and generous fiddles on the surfaces.Mishi 102“Yonca is no stranger to building craft to exacting standards for demanding clients,” says Yılmaztürk. “We have been supplying fast, seaworthy composite craft to the world’s navies for years. It made sense to tap the yard’s lamination skills to build my own 88-footer, and in so doing, I started a journey that has led me to found Mishi Yachts.”The Mishi 102 project will be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2024.Founded in 1986, Yonca Shipyard aimed to lead in fast boat design and advanced composites. Despite doubts, handcrafted boats reflected our vision. Now an industrial-scale enterprise, the shipyard produces cutting-edge pleasure, commercial, and naval craft. Yonca Shipyard delivered more than 180 ships and boats, specializing in fast interceptor craft and patrol boats for defense and law enforcement agencies.Credits: Mishi Yachts
May 20, 2024
Ferretti Group celebrated a significant milestone today with the grand reopening of its extensively refurbished Riva shipyard in La Spezia. The event, attended by Chairman Tan Xuguang, CEO Alberto Galassi, local authorities, and a delegation from Weichai, Ferretti Group's longstanding shareholder, marks a new era for the shipyard.The revamped facility, now a pivotal industrial hub, employs over 750 workers daily, including 200 direct employees. Strategically located along the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, the shipyard has undergone substantial enhancements to both its production and management sections, as well as the lounge area designed to offer hospitality to yacht owners, captains, and crew.Spanning 64,000 square meters, the upgraded site features 33 berths along more than 400 meters of docks, four industrial sheds with 21 production stations, and two additional sheds dedicated to painting, totaling 1,000 square meters. Equipped with photovoltaic plants and bespoke spaces like the Riva Lounge, the production center focuses on seven Riva models ranging from 76 to 130 feet. When fully operational, the site will be capable of launching 30 boats annually, each up to 40 meters in length.Located in an area of Regional Interest, the La Spezia shipyard emphasizes environmental protection and sustainability. It holds Rina certifications according to ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 standards, underscoring Ferretti Group's commitment to high environmental and quality management standards.As part of the "Miglio Blu" (Blue Mile) project, the shipyard aims to promote local excellence in yachting while respecting the surrounding environment. This initiative highlights the region's rich maritime heritage and Ferretti Group's dedication to sustainable development.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credit: Ferretti Group
May 17, 2024
The renowned Venetian design studio Nuvolari Lenard is set to launch the first yacht in its new series, the 47-metre S1, from the Mengi Yay shipyard in Turkey. This groundbreaking superyacht, nearing completion, will be showcased at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, highlighting the exceptional design and craftsmanship that Nuvolari Lenard is known for.Nuvolari Lenard's S1 project represents a significant milestone, bringing the luxury and features of larger superyachts into a more compact and efficient package. The S1 is designed to be a sub-50-metre yacht that remains under 500 gross tonnage (GT), offering a unique combination of luxury, versatility, and practicality. This design allows for a 4,000-mile range, enabling the S1 to access more destinations and cruising grounds that larger yachts cannot.“The S1 opens up more destinations thanks to its 4,000-mile range while opening up more cruising grounds because of its more compact size,” says Carlo Nuvolari, Co-Founder of Nuvolari Lenard. “But it doesn’t achieve those through compromises – with more than three decades of expertise to draw on, we have managed to bring ideas from our much larger superyacht projects down to the S1, and as a result, she offers large exterior decks, side deck walkways that you’d expect to see on a much larger yacht, and showstopper features for a sub-50-metre such as a bridge deck owner suite and a giant sundeck.”The S1 boasts a bridge deck owner's suite with an aft-facing suite offering expansive views, a private terrace, and an ensuite with large windows. The main cabin opens onto the upper aft deck, creating a versatile space that can be enjoyed year-round. Guest accommodations include four double ensuite cabins on the lower deck, with two cabins that can be combined into an exceptional VIP suite. The yacht also features an elevator, a rare inclusion in this size bracket, making it accessible for all generations.Social areas on the S1 are equally impressive. The main deck features a private forward saloon with an open balcony overlooking the sea, ideal for relaxation, entertainment, or as a study. The beach club and large cockpit, equipped with a folding bulwark and retractable crane, provide ample space for sea-related activities and can accommodate a large tender or even a car.The sundeck is one of the largest in its category, offering three distinct areas: an aft sunbathing area, a central living area with a mini pool, and a bow-facing view. This deck is designed for all-day enjoyment and is serviced by an independent crew staircase to ensure privacy and quality service.“The S1 achieves all this without appearing cumbersome or bloated, testament to the genius of the Nuvolari Lenard team,” explains Dan Lenard, Designer and Co-Founder of Nuvolari Lenard. The design combines masculine and feminine elements, creating a sleek, elegant profile with serene interiors featuring wood and bronze accents.The S1's hull, designed by Van Oossanen naval architects, offers efficiency and comfort, while the engineering and systems are optimized for long-term cruising. The Mengi Yay shipyard has meticulously realized the construction, ensuring that every detail of Nuvolari Lenard’s design is executed to perfection.Hüseyin Mengi, Chairman of the Board at Mengi Yay shipyard, expressed his excitement: “It has been a privilege to realize the superb design of the S1 and all of Nuvolari Lenard’s details that make the S1 such a special project. As a family-owned yard with 60 years of experience building yachts, we are excited to be nearing completion of a superyacht that we are confident will stun when she appears at the Monaco show, as well as everywhere else she goes.”Credit: Nuvolari Lenard
May 17, 2024