Windelo 50

LOA 15.24m 50ft 0in • BEAM 7.92m 26ft 0in • DISPLACEMENT 11,200kg 24,692lb • PRICE ex VAT €735,000 • www.windelo-catamaran.com

Windelo is a new yard based in Canet-enroussillon, which specialises in innovative eco performance catamarans. After two years of researching materials for its 50 and 54 designs, it opted for an exotic mix of… rocks and bottles!

This first 50 is being built from a composite sandwich of Basalt fibre, a cloth made from volcanic rock, and PET foam from recycled plastic bottles. The yard says these materials combine to reduce its carbon emissions by nearly 50% when compared with traditional glassfibre construction methods.

The Windelo cats have forward cockpits just abaft the mast. These have two helm stations, protected from the wind and spray, a good view of the sails and the bows, and all running rigging to hand. This leaves a large one-level main living area abaft the cockpit, designed to be a modular space, with abundant natural light and ventilation.

The Windelo designs, which currently range from 48ft to 57ft, are by Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman. They are offered in three guises, including luxury (Yachting), performance (Sport) and this Adventure version, which is designed for exploration. It sports two electric engines powered by a bank of lithium batteries, for silent running, while a generator extends motoring range by a further 800 miles.

The first owner plans to set off from France in May for Iceland, via the Scottish Isles. From there the boat will sail to North America via Greenland.

Windelo blends fresh design with new eco materials. The 50’s forward cockpit leaves space abaft for a large, bright, open living area