Solico designs carbon fiber yacht for Aeolos Composites

Photo Credit: Solico

The Aeolos Performance 30 (P30) is a lightweight carbon racing yacht that was conceived by Aeolos Composites’ (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) founder Hans Genthe for single- and double-handed sailing. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the project was completed entirely remotely. 

In early 2021, Aeolos Composites commissioned Solico (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) to review and optimize the existing structural design, define laminate layups and perform the structural verification (according to ISO 12215) of the P30 hull, deck, coach roof, bowsprit, keel and rudder.

Carbon fiber materials were a key part of the P30 design concept, which Solico says minimized weight and produced a light, fast yacht. Solico worked with the ISO 12215-5 material properties, along with carbon fiber formats, to conduct a detailed finite element analysis (FEA) analysis of the components and reduce structural weight to a minimum.

One of the novel features of the P30 is the hinged carbon fiber bowsprit that enables bows to moor in European marinas that do not permit a bowsprit over the dock. According to Solico, the tapered composite sprit provided challenges for the engineers; several iterations were required to define the final structure that could support gennaker — an all-purpose downwind sail — luff loads and satisfy the critical buckling load cases without adding additional weight at the bow of the yacht.

The P30 uses a full composite construction for its keel, which Solico says will be put through extensive tests during the sea trials to ensure maximum performance and safety. Solico also produced a full construction drawing pack detailing laminate sequences and additional reinforcements required around all highly loading fittings, such as chainplates, winches and sail tracks, which had been considered in the structural verification. 

Solico says the first P30 hull is finished and painted, and the yacht due to hit the water in the very near future. Several more P30’s are already in build, with Aeolos Composites looking expand the class both locally in the UAE as well as in Europe.