January 2010 Archives

Alastair Callender, of Callender Designs, has developed a radical 58m, rigid-wing superyacht concept, which will be powered from wind, solar and Hybrid Marine Power (HMP) technology from Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd.

Initially aimed at an owner of an eco-friendly stance, with a non-sailing background, Soliloquy shall push the boundaries of yacht design convention as we know it today, and points to the future of clean, luxury yachting.

This pioneering and highly efficient motor-sailor will offer numerous advantages, which will widen her appeal to more potential investors - not least thanks to being powered quietly by renewable and hybrid-electric energy. In turn this will bring zero-emission capabilities, and result in significant savings in fuel cost.

Soliloquy's rigid-wing rig, and architecturally dynamic form, will be a unique sight to all mariners.

A design brief was reached to ensure that renewable energies, along with eco-friendly materials and construction techniques, would confirm that this superyacht will become one of the Greenest of luxury yachts. This will comply with, and aims to excel in various industry requirements, including the new Green Star Plus certification from RINA in Italy.

The innovative overhead beam, sweeping forward to the bow, not only brings structural advantages, along with exciting and refreshing visual aesthetics, but has been specifically designed to house three automated and pivotally mounted, rigid-wing solarsails.

Efficient sailing propulsion is possible due to the patented technology and automation of Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd's solarsail pivot. This technology has received a development grant from the US Navy for unmanned ocean vehicles and is currently used on a series of ferries.

This will allow Soliloquy's three solarsails to independently rotate through 360 degrees, and be coupled with the optimized rigid-wing design to add propulsion efficiency.

The superstructure has been enhanced by its efficient Photovoltaic surfacing. Once all the adaptable blinds have evolved out of the overhead beam, a total of over 600 square metres of coverage will be revealed. Additionally each solarsail can be angled to the sun, to optimise solar collection when becalmed.

More Information: Solar Sailor & Callender Designs

Asia has been winning the "tallest building in the world" race for over a decade now: the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia took the crown from Chicago's Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in 1998, and held it until the Tapei 101 in Taiwan replaced them in 2004. As of Monday, the title goes to a structure much further East, and over a thousand feet taller than the previous record-holder: 

More information: burjdubai.com