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Retractable bow foils

STATE OF THE ART BOW FOIL TECHNOLOGY

Wavefoil has developed retractable bow foils that provide significant fuel savings, reduced motions and a more comfortable experience at sea.​

Combining a smart retraction mechanism with the use of light but strong composite materials, Wavefoil has brought wave propulsion to the market.

Exploiting the potential of wave energy

It has been known for over 150 years that vessels with wings – or foils – in the bow can be partly or solely propelled by wave energy. The foils generate lift when the vessel is moving up and down in waves, and the lift typically has a forward thrust component larger than the drag.

Put simply, wave power is directly converted into propulsive power.

A vessel in waves experiences additional resistance compared to calm-water operation. For wave lengths similar to the hull length, this additional resistance will be amplified due to resonance, implying large heave and pitch motions. Wavefoil’s retractable bow foils dampen these motions so that the additional resistance decreases.

So how much fuel can you save? That depends on the ship, its speed, the foil size and location, and the wave conditions.

Fuel saving for suitable ships is in the range of 5-15%.

Saving fuel is not the only benefit of bow foils. Increased comfort, reduced vibrations, less spray, increased operability and the ability to maintain higher speeds in waves for a given power are some other perspectives.

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References

MS Liafjord

MS Ro Spirit

MF Teistin

MS Bard

MS Thea Jensen

MS Rosesol

MS Roseflora

HSC Krilo Lux

AQS Siv

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Concept designs

Crew Transfer Vessel

Emergency Response & Rescue Vessel

Expedition Vessel

Live Fish Carrier

Longliner

Explorer Yacht

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PR & Media

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Contact

sales@wavefoil.com
service@wavefoil.com

 

Visitor address

Oslo office
Stortingsgata 20
0161 Oslo
Norway

Ålesund office
c/o Norwegian Maritime Competence Center
Borgundvegen 340
6009 Ålesund
Norway

Postal address /
Invoice address

Wavefoil Technologies AS
Stortingsgata 20
0161 Oslo
Norway

Org nr. 832 004 642

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