Sustainable Sailing reveal bio-based composite rubber blade
Sustainable Sailing has developed a proof of concept 75% bio-based composite rudder blade, which has been approved for use in the Europe Dinghy class.
The vast majority of boats are built from a foam core, covered with glass-fibre reinforced by resin currently. This has resulted in hard wearing, easy to repair and strong boats which can last for an extremely long time. For example, there are boats built in the 1950s which are still racing. Unfortunately, the climate impacts of these boats are enormous, in part because the resin and foam used to build the hulls are all derived from oil and glass-fibre requires large amounts of energy to produce.
By combining engineering advances with technology which replaces a large percentage of the crude oil derived, Sustainable Sailing has been able to build components which are 75% bio-based. The solutions we have focussed on are by using waste wood, which has been processed so it can be used as the reinforcement in the composite, instead of the glass-fibre. This is then combined with a resin which has had a large amount of its starting materials replaced with bio-based alternatives, while also reducing the amount of resin used. This, we anticipate, has a dramatic reduction in the carbon footprint of the components, while maintaining or improving the performance profile of the components.
Sustainable Sailing is one of the few companies to have successfully built components which are used competitively by using plant-based fibres and resins and the only one in the UK which is focussing on dinghy components. By focussing on existing dinghies as a proof of concept for the technology and targeting components rather than complete boats, we have been able to iterate designs and technologies quickly for a minimal cost. This has meant that the Chlorofoils are now available for purchase by sailors of the Europe dinghy, without breaking the bank.
Not only are they available for purchase, but these Chlorofoils have now been approved for use in all UK racing events, with three Chlorofoils already in use in the UK Europe dinghy racing circuit. It is only a matter of time before they are in use on a Europe dinghy near you.
Sustainable Sailing is currently developing this technology, not only to build a wider range of Chlorofoils, for the Europe as well as other dinghy classes. This technology will also have a dramatic improvement in the carbon footprint of all marine composites, so Sustainable Sailing is looking to apply their advances to complete boats and areas beyond the marine industry.
For more information please contact info@sustainablesailing.co.uk