German TV and film actor Daniel Roesner is set to bring his dream of a sustainable catamaran to life, collaborating with yacht design and engineering studio iYacht.
“The design and engineering office iYacht acted as a filter for my imagination,” Roesner stated. “While some of my ideas were challenged technically, for most of them iYacht confirmed the feasibility and even enabled me to go one step further.”
This 55-foot multihull vessel Hu’chu 55, named to reflect both its length and regions significant to Roesner’s life, will feature a range of sustainable materials. Working with a leading aluminium manufacturer, Roesner has developed a metal composed of over 90% scrap aluminium, sourced from items like discarded license plates, road signs, cosmetic cans, automotive and construction scraps, and recycled materials from sorting plants. This innovative metal has just one-eighth of the carbon footprint compared to the market average.
In addition to the sustainable aluminium, the catamaran will incorporate natural fibres, reclaimed wood, and recycled cork throughout its construction. Designed to spend most of its time sailing, the Hu’chu 55 will be equipped with three forestays, a self-tacking staysail, an overlapping genoa jib, a gennaker, and optimized daggerboards. The rig and sail system is tailored for easy handling, with the mast positioned further back for better mainsail management.
To further its eco-friendly design, the Hu’chu 55 will utilize two electric motors and a 100-kWh battery pack, which can be charged passively through the spinning propellers and solar panels as the yacht sails. Renewable energy will also power the onboard water treatment system and meet other electrical needs, including the equipment in a film editing room.
Roesner sees living and working on the Hu’chu 55, producing documentaries and conducting ocean research. The yacht is designed for navigation in various climates, featuring vertical hydroponic gardens for food self-sufficiency, dry storage for electronic equipment, and two garages for diving and sports gear.
With the design phase complete, Roesner is now seeking partners, sponsors, and investors to turn his vision into reality. He is also looking for shipyards with expertise in aluminium construction to build the Hu’chu 55.