Composite Zen50 catamaran earns Gussies 2023 distinction

The Zen50, a zero-emission solar- and wind-powered blue water catamaran designed and produced by boatbuilder Zen Yachts (Barcelona, Spain) has recently been honored with a Gussies 2023 award in the Electric Production Boat category for vessels more than 8 meters. MEL Composites (Barcelona) played an important role as the Zen50’s main composite material supplier and infusion technical advisor.

The Gustave Trouvé Awards for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating awards was developed in 2020 to recognize companies that are making efforts to provide cleaner, quieter, zero-emissions technologies — particularly, electric boats and zero-emissions motors. The Zen50’s advanced composites enable it to sail continuously at cruising speeds of 6 to 10 knots, without requiring any fuel onboard.

MEL Composites is supplying the vinyl ester resins, carbon fibers and Corecell foam for the 15.7-meter catamaran, while the two teams, MEL and Zen, work alongside to define the critical details for the build, including mechanical testing of sample laminates, and specifying the bespoke CNC cut core kits and process setup for infusion. During the build, MEL technicians are on-site at the shipyard, monitoring the infusion strategy and assisting the Zen team throughout. MEL Composites’ in-house resin infusion expertise, customized raw materials’ treatment and optimal technical support ensures the Zen50’s structure weight remains under strict control so that the new yacht matches its performance and environmental targets.

“Winning the Gussies 2023 award in the Electric Production Boat category is a testament to the exceptional technology and engineering behind the Zen50,” Julien Mélot, CEO of Zen Yachts, says. “We are delighted to work with MEL Composites to achieve a high-quality build, helping to create environmentally friendly, zero-emission yachts for the future.”