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The most exciting performance-focused catamaran to hit the sailing world, the
Open Waters 40 is an all-electric catamaran that leverages the latest in yacht
construction technologies designed to maximize the thrill of sailing yet still
provide the creature comforts of a multihull.
Great handling and speed
The ESC40 is a 40-ft catamaran designed to be two to three times faster than the typical cruising cat – using carbon fibre to reduce weight and provide increased hull strength.
The twin helm stations are covered by a solar cell-covered roof and come with a 59m2 main sail in addition to three headsails: Jib 26 m², FRO 65 m² and Asail 121 m².
The hull is rated to handle boat speeds in excess of 20 knots. With curved retractable daggerboards providing better upwind handling and performance at speed.
The retractable rudders, together with the low draft of 2 ft, allow the boat to cruise in shallow waters and to be beached on the bow or stern.
Regenerative Energy
Thanks to the low weight, higher boat speed and the solar/hydro regeneration systems on-board. The boat is a 100% energy self-sufficient.
The twin electric drives and advanced battery technology allows for quiet, fossil fuel-free cruising.
Using 10 kW motors, the close-quarter power and handling is unrivalled. The folding propeller generates electricity while sailing together with the roof-mounted solar cells, recharging the battery while in operation.
The integrated drives, battery and battery management systems are intelligently inter-connected and provide real-time and predictive insights on power consumption, generation and operational range.
Comfort
The boat comfortably accommodates four adults and two children, and is sure to bring you all modern comforts such as a 400L water reserve shower and an electric stove.
The hull interior boasts 6’4” of head room with the coach offering even more generous space with 6’8” of head room up to 7 at the aft dinette. The wet deck, spacious with 300 ft² between hulls features the main stateroom.
Each hull features three deck hatches and six portlights for excellent ventilation while the trampoline across the beam is 305 ft² of play, relaxation and dolphin viewing.
Build
Our unique construction techniques allows us to manufacture the boat in Canada in a quarter of the time compared to traditional boat building.
We can also build and ship your boat in as early as four months, greatly surpassing the industry standard of 12+ months.
From order to build and delivery, our price compares very favourable to other fast cats.
Faster, cheaper delivery
The boat can be packed in a standard 40ft freight container and be shipped safely anywhere in the world at a much lower cost (up to $50,000 savings) and in a fraction of the time.
Boat owners can now also ship their boat one or both ways between North America, the South Pacific, Mediterranean or the Carribean for a one way cruise or an overwintering.
Specs
| Brand / Model | Open Waters ESC40 2021 |
| Builder | Open Waters Design & Manufacturing Ltd |
| Naval Architects | Whitacre Yacht Design |
| Length | 39’6″ |
| Beam | 23′ |
| Draft | 2′ |
| Mast | 55 ft |
| Boom | 20 ft |
| Displacement | 12000lb |
| Sails | |
| Total Rigging | 271 m² (sqft) |
| Mainsail | 59 m² (635 sq ft) |
| Headsail | Jib 26m² Self Tacking |
| Genoa | FRO 65m² |
| Gennaker | Asail 121m² |
Technology
Vacuum Resin Infusion
Vacuum resin infusion is the process at the heart of our technology and is used for all parts.
The vacuum resin process removes all of the air between the fibres of a part prior to the introduction of the resin.
After the process, our parts are meticulously sanded with variable grit — allowing for maximum paint adhesion on surfaces and smooth, stylish edges.
Core Materials
Core materials are introduced into the part to increase stiffness without increasing weight.
The core is a structural-grade foam with a high shear strength characteristic: if the part is of a complex shape, we cut the foam into sections, thermoforming it to the required shape.
We use five different sizes and densities of foam on the boat, optimized for local strength requirements.
Fiber
We purchase carbon fiber by the roll and over 35 rolls are used in each boat. We have engineered the laminate schedule to be most efficient in the various areas of the boat maximising strength and reducing weight.
Each meant to be the most efficient for their respective areas. The fabrics are stitched, instead of weaved.
Stitched fabrics do not need to bend over or under other fibre and lay flat, making a stronger part.
This business has been Paused to Focus on our Marine Solar division. Please Visit Open Waters Solar
About
At Open Waters, it is our mission to make catamaran cruising more exciting and environmentally sustainable. We’ve set out to create a performance cruising catamaran that will be a joy to sail and that will raise the bar in environmental sustainability.
We have developed a unique design and manufacturing process, selected high performance materials that enable us to build a boat that uses less materials and is 50% lighter. As a result it is a lot faster and as a result it is able to generate and store the energy needed to propel it electrically for hours and provide enough energy for on board equipment.
We use high performance carbon fibre and a vacuum infusion process to maximize strength and reduce the use of resin and eliminate resin vapour emissions. We use 100% recycled PET foam core wherever possible and we see the opportunity for incremental use of bio-based epoxy and natural fibres in our future.
As we continue to develop our sustainability roadmap for our boats we will perform a full lifecycle analysis to identify other opportunities to minimize our carbon footprint.
The unique processes and skills we have developed can be applied and licensed to other marine and recreational vehicles businesses.
Simon Angus
Simon Angus P.Eng is a professional mechanical engineer with a background in project management and a passion for sailing.
He spent his university summers travelling around Europe searching for the best combination of wind and waves in addition to teaching both sailing and windsurfing.
After moving to Canada in 2004, Simon bought a Catalina 27 in Kitimat, BC, and enjoyed sailing in the Douglas Channel with his young family. A career move to Alberta paused his sailing career until he discovered the joys of chartering sailboats in the Caribbean.
Following a 20-year career in industrial engineering and project management, Simon decided to make a change. He combined his passion and profession to launch Open Waters Design and Manufacturing in 2016.
He designed and manufactured an 18ft canoe, developing a plug and mold using his proprietary vacuum resin infusion process. After the successful build of the canoe, Simon went on to build a high-performance 18ft A-class foiling sailing catamaran out of carbon fibre, refining both the mold construction and the vacuum resin infusion process.
After researching the various build steps, Simon began with CNC shaping of a plug, hand-finishing, and building the hull molds. He also built the mast, Z foils, and Tee foil rudders. Following successful trials in Vancouver, BC, Simon embarked on his next ambitious project: designing and building the boat he had dreamt about for years.
A boat that could be shipped anywhere in the world, sailed on with his family, and returned to Vancouver for summer cruising — and would be electrically sustainable.
In 2019, Simon was introduced to Hal Whitacre, sparking a design partnership that culminated in the creation of the Open Waters ESC40.
Since then Simon Angus has started Open Waters Solar. A marine solar company revolutionizing the marine world.
Hal Whitacre
Hal Whitacre, owner of Whitacre yacht design since 1984 and is responsible for some of the fastest and most luxurious boats ever built.
Hal is Open Waters Chief Naval Architect and has worked closely with Simon over the past 2 years to produce the detailed designs that make up the Open Waters ESC 40.
Hal has a distinguished career in Naval Architecture graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Naval architecture and Marine Engineering.
Throughout his career he has pushed the boundaries of naval architecture notably designing the Open Class 60 “Imagine”; breaking ground with the largest rig ever put on an Open 60.
Hal also owns and operates Bruce Roberts USA and in that capacity, he has designed over 100 steel and aluminium boat kits in addition to many fiberglass and wood sail and power boats. Most recently, Hal was the chief Naval Architect for Gunboat Catamarans when they were built in the USA.
Since their move to Europe, Hal has completed 2 gunboat 55’s along with a conversation of a gunboat 55 to a powercat ferry which has recently conducted successful sea trials.
Hal and his wife Tammy split their time between Annapolis, Md and Sister Bay, Wi. Hal continues to race Lasers during the winter and windsurfs/foilsurfs as much as possible.
This business has been Paused to Focus on our Marine Solar division. Please Visit Open Waters Solar