There are few manufacturers, or brands in general, that captivate the imagination like Ferrari.
Standing toe to toe with brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Google and Apple, Ferrari’s prancing horse is synonymous with the notion of speed, performance and victory across the globe. Which is why each new Ferrari release is a big deal, and it’s also why the recent unveiling of a Ferrari boat or Hypersail has got everyone talking.
The Ferrari Hypersail project combines Ferrari’s expertise in design, aerodynamics, performance, endurance and innovation with the world of sailing. The end result is a 100-ft yacht that is set to be the first of its size in the world to be entirely energy self-sufficient.
It appears that Hypersail is just the beginning, the first step in a larger operation. The project, which is being led by team principal Giovanni Soldini, is looking to begin a research and development program based on offshore sailing. The project will explore new frontiers in technology and innovation, naturally using Ferrari’s expertise, while also working in close collaboration with nautical experts.
This first yacht has been designed by French naval architect Guillaume Verdier, and is a 100-ft flying ocean-racing mono-hull prototype. Once up to speed, the hull will rise out of the water and will stabilize using three points of contact with the water. However, perhaps the biggest innovation is the canting keel that supports one of the foils, while the other contact points are the foil on the rudder and the two lateral foils.
“Hypersail is a new challenge that pushes us to go beyond our boundaries and expand our technological horizons. At the same time, it perfectly aligns with Ferrari’s tradition, drawing inspiration from our Hypercar, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Designing a yacht for offshore racing is perhaps the ultimate expression of endurance,” said Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
In a new project like this, technology transfer is vital for Ferrari. The yacht will sail using a flight control system that has been developed with help from the automotive sector. Original solutions to issues were always sought, which explains why Ferrari filed nine patents during the design process.
“From a nautical perspective, it’s innovative in both its structure and how it will fly; on the systems front, Ferrari’s contribution is driving the development of onboard control technology that has never been seen before,” said Soldini. “To prepare as well as we can for the variability and force of the phenomena and conditions encountered at sea, our top priority is to strike the right balance between the pursuit of extreme performance and maximum reliability.”
Onboard the yacht features no combustion engine at all; it has been designed to operate exclusively using renewable energy sources like solar, wind and kinetic energy.
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The yacht is currently under construction in Italy and is scheduled to launch in 2026.
