Glosten, Bieker Boats Design Ultra Fuel-Efficient Vessel

The provider of naval architecture and marine engineering services Glosten and marine craft builder Bieker Boats have joined forces to bring modern composite hydrofoil technology to the passenger vessel community.

This collaboration draws on Bieker Boats’ years of experience designing fast foil-born boats and Glosten’s design of passenger vessels for public and private clients over the past 50 years, said a press note from Glosten.

"This ultra-efficient vessel requires less than half the installed power of a typical passenger catamaran, resulting in a 50% reduction in fuel consumption. When compared to the latest foil-assisted low-wake small passenger vessels, the design achieves three times the passenger miles per gallon," it said.

The design team achieved this by combining the proven technologies of ultra-efficient hydrofoils, lightweight carbon fiber hull construction, and modern geared propulsion equipment.

Glosten Director of Business Development Kenneth Lane shared his enthusiasm for the new design. “Our team is thrilled to offer this proven high-speed hydrofoil technology to the passenger vessel sector. The reduced energy consumption results in significant emissions reductions per passenger mile and facilitates optional use of plug-in electrical approaches.”

The vessel’s hull is constructed using room temperature cured resin infused carbon fiber with foam cores above the waterline. This results in a significant weight savings over the lightest aluminum construction.

“We are excited to apply modern high-performance composite design and construction to the world of commercial vessels. Weight savings and operating cost savings are as closely linked in hydrofoiling craft as they are in aircraft,” said Paul Bieker, Naval Architect, Bieker Boats.

The struts and foils are constructed of high temperature cured carbon fiber laminates, achieving the same strength and stiffness of high strength steel at 20% of the weight. These advancements in foil design and manufacturing can be seen in the latest America’s Cup foiling yachts.