A 12-metre timber-built proof-of-concept launch.

This design primarily aims to satisfy the needs and desires of owners who have previously only owned sailing cruisers. To this end the idea is to replace the often noisy and bumpy 'sprint' approach to voyaging under power in a planing-hulled powerboat with a quieter and less frenetic approach to passage-making.

A realistic cruising speed is typically between about 13 and 15 knots, although the hull itself will still be efficent at speeds up to about 20 knots (15 knots requires about 80 hp of applied power.)

To see further developments of this design CLICK HERE.

For background information on the design philosophy of these vessels read NIGEL IRENS' paper entitled ‘THE APPLICATION OF SLENDER HULL TECHNOLOGY IN POWERED YACHTS AND SMALL COMMERCIAL CRAFT’. CLICK HERE

12m
3.3m
0.9m
5t
180kW
21 knots
15 knots
500nm
2003

In 1999 NIGEL IRENS developed a new kind of power catamaran to the order of the French company Royale Productions. The company was in search of a high-speed platform for filming sailing events.

The design brief called for a fast and stable vessel, free from high slamming accelerations associated with planing craft. A cameraman controls the gyro-stabilised video camera from a console inside the accommodation. The vessel is proving very successful and produces footage of unprecedented quality.

Royale Atlantic is available for charter.

To see further developments of this design CLICK HERE.

NIGEL IRENS developed the iLAN trimaran concept following experience with sailing racing multihulls. It is based on the use of a slender hull with transverse stability provided by small outer hulls. For a given load the concept offers exceptional fuel economy, speed and comfort.

iLAN Voyager is the 21.3m prototype built to demonstrate the advantages of the concept. She provides a comfortable ride at up to 28 knots with a single main engine of just 180kW. She went on to prove her speed, economy and range capability by making a record-breaking un-refuelled voyage around Britain. The 1,568-mile trip was completed in 72 hours at an average of 21.5 knots and required just 2,000 litres of fuel.

The vessel has since worked as a filming platform, able to follow racing yachts at high speed whilst giving a ride smooth enough for still and video photography. She is now operating as a tourist transfer vessel in the Cape Verde islands where she fulfills the need for a small, economical inter-island vessel which can operate in the prevailing rough sea conditions.

To see further developments of this design CLICK HERE.

The success of the ILAN Voyager prototype led to the design and construction of this 35m motor yacht Cable & Wireless Adventurer, which successfully completed a record-breaking circumnavigation in 1998.

Departing from Gibraltar on 19th April, the vessel returned on the 3rd July having covered the 24,500 nautical miles in 74 days 20 hours, spending some 62 days at sea. The average speed achieved was 16.5 knots and the average fuel consumption about 1mpg (4.5 litres/nm).

Future applications include passenger and cargo vessels, with designs ranging from 35-50m under development.

The vessel is available for charter.