Carlo Nuvolari (below left) and Dan Lenard of the Nuvolari-Lenard design studio are adamant that yachting and environmental consciousness must go hand in hand. “There’s nothing stopping us from thinking about a truly green large yacht,” Nuvolari asserts. “You just have to stop being a traditionalist and take a risk, going back to the basics.” With Vento, a 328-foot (100-meter) concept design, the duo has done just that. She’s a true sailing yacht, not sail-assisted, using already-proven sailing technology.
Naturally, Nuvolari-Lenard’s Vento has the creature comforts you’d expect of a sailing superyacht of this magnitude. Namely, the aluminum and composite yacht has six staterooms, including a main-deck master with a private alfresco area. Commodious alfresco areas await guests, too, like the flying bridge and beach club. Internal spaces include a spa and saloons.
But of primary importance, Vento emphasizes function, and efficiency. This explains the reverse bow, which permits more waterline length and therefore more structure in the sea for stability. Since less drag results, too, the yacht can motor when required under less horsepower, and generate smaller wakes. That reduces coastline impact in the regions she may cruise. On a related subject, Nuvolari-Lenard’s Vento will feature a diesel-electric propulsion system to offer flexibility in operations, especially for low or no emissions and reduced fuel consumption.
Similarly, Nuvolari-Lenard’s Vento employs an Omer soft wing sail. Briefly, wing sails make more efficient use of lift force from the wind compared to traditional sails. Wings sails are in use throughout yachting, including in the America’s Cup. According to the design studio and the sail manufacturer, this particular wing sail requires less sail area than traditional sails for the same performance. Similarly, less heeling force results, and you need lower keel weight to right the yacht. The carbon masts holding the wing sail stand 210 feet (64 meters) tall, supporting an overall sail area of 22,604 square feet (2,100 square meters). Finally, the retractable keel lets draft vary from 18 to 29 (5.5 to 9 meters).
“An electric motor and batteries are not enough to make a boat green,” the designers say. “Yacht design needs to change pace, to concern itself as much with the sea on our doorstep as with seas far away.” Additionally, they say, yacht design needs to ask questions of every aspect of a project, from the hull to the technology and to the soft goods. “Concrete answers” must result from these questions as well.
“Being environmentally conscious has to become a way of being, as well as a way of thinking,” Carlo Nuvolari concludes.
Nuvolari-Lenard nuvolarilenard.com
Omer Wing Sail omerwingsail.com
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