Sustainability

The rules of the Eco 60 class state that at least 30 per cent of power generated must be from a renewable onboard source. For skippers, this means thinking about power generation in a more sustainable way. No longer can they rely purely on diesel generators for their power. Solar and wind power are two way skippers can substantially reduce the impact they leave on the environment. It has been proven that by using solar and wind power, skippers can halve the amount of fuel they use and the amount of time needed to charge batteries.

Through the introduction of the Eco 60 class, premièred in the 2010/11 VELUX 5 OCEANS, ocean racing now has a message of sustainability that can be taken around the world. Two of the race’s skippers are taking their eco-friendly pledge one step further – by promising to sail round the world without using fossil fuels at all. Both Derek Hatfield and Brad Van Liew have installed revolutionary hydrogenerators on their yachts which convert power generated by the boat blasting through the water into electricity.

The very concept of the Eco 60 Class is also built around recycling existing, proven racing boats – rather than creating a carbon footprint to construct a new yacht. As a platform, the Eco 60 will carry a message of sustainability around the world, with the skippers illustrating how to best recycle waste, as well as use and conserve food, water and power.

Watt & Sea

Although yachts are driven round the world solely by wind, power is still needed to charge batteries and run electrical equipment onboard.

Historically power onboard ocean racing yachts has come from diesel generators but the Eco 60 Class, with its core message of sustainability, is going one step further in its bid to reduce its footprint on the planet.

The Eco 60 class rules limit fossil fuel consumption to just 30 per cent of all power used during the race, and racers will use solar and wind power.

Two yachtsmen, the USA’s Brad Van Liew and Canada’s Derek Hatfield, are already using state-of-the-art hydrogenerators on their Eco 60 entries in the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010, which produce power via small propellers attached to the yacht’s hull that run just below the surface of the water. 

The units, pioneered by Watt and Sea, are designed for maximum efficiency and power output with minimum drag. They can produce 100 per cent of power needed at a speed of just nine knots. During a long distance race such as the VELUX 5 OCEANS, it is envisaged the generators could produce 200 per cent of an ocean racer’s electrical needs.

The Eco 60 Class is proud to support Watt & Sea.

Further details: www.wattandsea.com