Yachting to the rhythm of Sustainable Development.
Yachting to the rhythm of Sustainable Development.
There are few if any activities that are cleaner than watersports, especially sailing or boardsports. Nevertheless, as people who love the marine environment, sailors remain very attuned to all the innovations aimed at promoting the sustainable development of their favourite leisure activities. And since they are fond of their marine universe, enthusiasts are constantly highlighting them in their photography, as the Nautic Photo competition testifies.
A short inventory in the preserve of watersports.
A world exclusive at Rhéa Marine comes with the presentation of the Regen. After having invested in a high-performance electric inboard solution last year, the French brand is this year presenting an electric outboard engine, which is available in three different power ranges: 135, 180 and 300 horsepower. It is an attractive ecological solution for all inland waters where thermal engines are outlawed, and for those who wish to convert their current boat to Zero Emissions and silence…
The same Marine is bringing an innovative solution to motorboat architecture with the hull of its new Trawler T36. Designed to restrict hydrodynamic braking, its hull is particularly suited to solutions for hybrid engines. The approach is identical at Jeanneau, which is decidedly very creative and innovative this year, with a new generation of hull boasting low consumption, such as on the new NC14 and Voyage 42.
Torqeedo, the pioneer and leader of the production electric outboard, is showcasing the Deep Blue. A high-performance engine, it is a thermal unit boasting 80 horsepower. Innovative in every aspect, it notably uses a propeller with revolutionary blades, which reduces the drag generated by the boss and optimises its thrust.
Another world exclusive is on display at Sun Jet Narval. This elegant jet-ski is propelled along at nearly 25 knots by a 100% electric turbine. Silent and ecological, it is an innovation “Made in France”, developed by a renowned jet-ski specialist. Another innovation designed for clubs and tourist sites, the GlissSpeed is an electric marine leisure go-kart accessible to a vast array of people. A one-seater, it reaches 14 knots without requiring the driver to have a marine license.
Displayed in the equipment hall, Hulltimo is an innovative, ecological system enabling the hull to be cleaned beneath the waterline. Like a swimming pool robot, the device is controlled from the surface. It grips on and moves along the hull, whilst its roller cleans and sucks up any impurities from the hulls.
Among the chemists at the show, Matt Chem is showcasing Oscea’s biodegradable products. The wide range of products is aimed as much at deck hardware maintenance (rust removal, stainless steel renovator) as the vessel itself (shampooing of the gel coat). The Seimi is continuing its development of products with low environmental impact, and for suitable hulls, the Harsonic solution from Gom’Air can purely and simply dispense of underwater paint by emitting ultrasound.
Under the heading of good practice, the FFPPSF (Fédération Française des Pêcheurs Plaisanciers et Sportifs de France/French Federation of Fishermen, Sailors and Sportsmen and Women of France) is giving out a wealth of advice and information about the struggle against poaching, the minimum catch sizes for fishing and all manner of eco-friendly behaviour.
Eco-design really has a place of honour at the show too, particularly as regards Brown Sugar for example. A Stand Up Paddle made of hemp, cork and cellulose, it is showcased by S3 Boards and Christian Karcher, a celebrity of the sailing world, who has competed in the America’s Cup several times. The board is made using a process developed by the offshore racing stable, Kaïros, which is very much at the cutting edge of these latest technologies.
Click, the Nautic Photo competition
The Nautic Paris Boat Show has once again organised the Nautic Photo Competition this year. From 18 June to 30 September 2012, professionals and amateurs alike were invited to post a snap online on one of the three themes selected: the seascape, the unexpected at sea and sport at sea. 400 participants played the game and presented images, which were submitted to a public vote. Several thousand Internet users responded to the call for snaps and enabled ten images to be selected per theme and category, which were later presented to a jury. The jury then awarded prizes to Rozenn Le Garrec, Gwénolé de Kermenguy and Valérie Nègre in the amateur section; as well as Bertrand Duquenne, Arthur Lockhart and Jacques Blondel in the professional category. This Saturday afternoon the happy winners received their prizes, which were given to them by the competition’s partners, intended to illustrate the diversity of the passions for the sea (Dream Yacht Charter, AFP, Cabotages, Faire de la Voile.fr, Grand Prix Guyader, Série Limitée, Stars Clippers, Visimaxi and Vista Ouest).
Top Gold for the SNO Nantes (Watersports of West Nantes)
At the end of the traditional Top Clubs ceremony, which took place this Saturday at the Nautic Paris Boat Show, the SNO Nantes was elected Club of the Year 2012. A jury made up of representatives and partners of the FFVoile (French Sailing Federation), the President of the Club of the Year 2011 and presided over by Michel Desjoyeaux, selected the SNO Nantes from among eight nominated clubs. Situated on the banks of the Erdre in France’s Loire Atlantique region, the SNO Nantes enjoys the perfect geography to attract a wealth of public followers to take up sailing on its inland waters. Just a stone’s throw from Nantes, the club clearly asserts its aim, which is to “be able to race from the most modest to the highest level”. Proof of this lies in the fact that over the past ten years, the SNO Nantes has gleaned seven French club champion titles, three French cups, as well as adding an Olympic bronze medal to its prize haul, which was this year won by Jonathan Lobert in London. It is worth noting that the club is focusing on the practise of disabled sailing, by favouring its access thanks to specially adapted craft (Mini JI), represented by Damien Seguin, standard bearer at the Paralympic Games this summer. During the ceremony, 109 other clubs were rewarded for their investment in different domains, such as apprenticeship, sports development, competition, leisure, safety and community life.
Michel Desjoyeaux: “The clubs form the base of the sailing pyramid, with volunteers and enthusiasts who work to convey their passion to future generations. In addition to being a club, the SNO Nantes club is an environment, which gathers together a large sailing family.”
