Northern Light Composites presents ecoracer769

by Fabio Bignolini 8 Jun 2020 11:00 BST

ecoracer769 © Northern Light Composites

Northern Light Composites (nlcomp), an Italian startup, is proudly presenting ecoracer769, their first full natural fibers sportboat, combining innovative design and new construction technologies in order to win races in green, sustainable way.

The sailing boat is built from 100% flax fiber, with a recyclable core, and is introducing a new concept resin, which makes her completely recyclable. The mast, the keel and the rudder structures are made of aluminum and steel, and also the engine is electric - all chosen in the name of sustainability.

Ecoracer769, clearly eager to win the podiums, comes with a couple of distinctive characteristics: a particular angular reverse sheer, already seen on some superyachts and racers of the latest generation; with motorboat-inspired spray rails, and with the rudder positioned more forward than usual. The details were carefully studied by their designer Matteo Polli: "We pushed the accelerator of innovation in different areas, beginning with materials, but also regarding the hull shapes and the layout of the appendices. It will be truly interesting to see the result".

In addition to the choice of eco-sustainable construction materials, one of the objectives of the Italian startup is to avoid all the processes that impact the health of the builders: therefore, the decision was made to create the composite in vacuum infusion and to avoid all painting activities, using films for the external coating.

Ecoracer769 will be the test bench for the new Northern Light Composites technology. They will start selling the ecoracer series and promoting the first sustainable monotype class on the market after the boat passes the sea trials and racing tests.

ecoracer769 - photo © Northern Light Composites

The nlcomp's team agree: "This boat is the result of months of work in the lab oratory and in the design phase, with lots of infusion tests on our small dinghy, called ecoprimus, with various tests on materials, and with some really difficult choices that we had to take given the uniqueness of the construction technology. Our designer Matteo Polli has always done an exceptional job and the renders speak for themselves: we can't wait to touch her and launch her!"

The members of nlcomp design team are Matteo Polli, taking care of the water lines, Matteo Sconocchia and Alessandro Pera are responsible for the structures engineering, Andrea Paduano is the materials engineer, Gianluca Salateo is the person in charge of the deck plan and Roberto Baraccani follows with his experience in the production phases.

ecoracer769 - photo © Northern Light Composites

The launch of ecoracer769 has been delayed due to Coronavirus situation. The first sea trials are now scheduled for next autumn under the supervision of Roberto Spata, who comments on his commitment to the nlcomp project: "Wow" is the first word that came to me when I saw even a single image of this boat. Ecoracer769 is a project with many features that can make her a winner: she has modern and innovative lines, is very captivating in her look and will certainly have the double function of being born as a possible monotype, as well as winning also in the ORC Sportboat category. In addition, the team that is dedicating itself to the birth of this project is of the highest quality, from Matteo Polli, now a guarantee, to the whole Northern Light Composites Team: they're well prepared people, with clear ideas on the objectives to be achieved and all fueled by a great passion. The fact that ecoracer769 is the first sustainable boat, all the way from the construction phase till the end of the boat's life, makes this a truly unique project. Personally I am very excited to be able to make my contribution to this project since its development in the design phase and I look forward to challenging her performance as soon as she goes into the water."

Last, but not least: nlcomp's innovations are not only tied to boats' production, the company promises to take care of their boats also when their time comes to retire. They will perform the necessary recovery activities in order to release this burden (and cost) from the owner's shoulders, as well as for obtaining components for their future recycled boats.