Toyota Motor Europe and French Hynova boats introduce 1st hydrogen boat prototype

 Toyota Motor Europe and French Hynova boats introduce 1st hydrogen boat prototype 

We knew that Toyota was forward planning when they started with their hybrid systems in the mid 1970’s. Over the years they have established themselves as the pioneer in hybrid propulsion for transportation systems, like cars. Now Toyota Motor Europe’s fuel cell module brings hydrogen to the wider maritime industry in a cooperation with Hynova boats. They have introduced their prototype at the Monaco Boat show in September 2020. 

 

 

 

Some achievements of Toyota Motor Europe so far: 

• Toyota fuel cell module already successfully tested aboard the Energy Observer boat (EO) over more than 7,000 nautical miles, including trans-Atlantic crossings 
• Toyota fuel cell technology integrated in Energy Observer Developments’ (EODev) Hydrogen Range Extender (REXH2), delivers zero CO2, zero fine particle emissions and noise-free maritime mobility 
• EODev installs their Toyota fuel cell based maritime REXH2 in HYNOVA Yachts and starts field demonstration tests. 

 The REXH2 is a modular maritime hydrogen power solution developed around Toyota's fuel cell technology. It has been successfully tested in real open sea conditions aboard the Energy Observer boat for over more than 7,000 nautical miles including trans-Atlantic crossings. The hydrogen-electric hybrid technology in the REXH2 makes silent maritime and river mobility without emissions of CO2 or fine particles possible. 

 

 

The EODevs presented this REXH2 in the HYNOVA 40, a 12m boat from HYNOVA Yachts, which can be used as a day-boat or a superyacht tender. While the Energy Observer boat’s main propulsion comes from electricity directly generated from sun and wind, the HYNOVA Yacht is a battery electric boat, supplemented with the Hydrogen Range Extender with the Toyota fuel cell at its core. With a capacity of 12 passengers, it is the first pleasure boat equipped with fuel cell technology and brings zero emissions, hydrogen-electric hybrid technology to the wider maritime industry. 

The Toyota Fuel Cell Module inside the REXH2 delivers up to 60 kW rated net power and is based on the existing fuel cell technology from the Toyota Mirai. The R&D carried out by the EODev and Toyota teams has made it possible to perfectly adapt the technology to the challenging conditions of the marine environment. 

 “We welcome the opportunity to further expand the testing of our hydrogen technology to another maritime application. Following the integration of our Fuel Cell module in the Energy Observer boat, we have further adjusted the module to fit in the EODev Hydrogen Range Extender. Together with the EODev team, we can demonstrate that zero emissions and zero noise technologies for different types of mobility and power applications are already possible today. Making the different applications available is a great opportunity to decarbonise energy usage already today and contribute to the development of the hydrogen society” 

Thiebault Paquet, Director of the Fuel-Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe. 

 In July 2020, the Nynova Fuel-Cell Hydrogen powered prototype boat was given a “Coup de Cœur” award at Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge. 

The Large Yacht Refit Market Report 2018/19

 

ICOMIA has now published its second annual report on the large yacht refit market. The data is sourced from a survey of ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group (ISYRG) members and supported by AIS data. ISYRG represents approximately 40% of global refit projects, consisting of 12 shipyards. All ICOMIA shipyards adhere to a code of practice which ensures the highest quality of refit and repairs.

The data is collected over the period of 31 August – 1 September each year, and we now have data for the years 2017/18 and 2018/19. Although currently a short time frame, ICOMIA will continue to collect this data each year so that trends in the industry can be tracked.

Total refit turnover in 2018-2019 equalled 395.7 million euros, a ten per cent increase on last year’s figures. The number of refits increased by 4.7%, totalling 1136. The average refit value was 576, 870 euros, a substantial increase from last year’s figure of 331, 564 euros.

For the yards represented, the number of refits was greatest in the 30-50m range, however, this is not reflected in total turnover in this range. Over 75% of refit projects were technical, around 13% were paint works and just under 10% were interior works. Technical works include, among other things, logistics; special surveys; electronics and machinery and equipment services.

The survey also covered other important aspects such as project duration, activity by region and top shipyards, as well as a further breakdown of the above. Tracking refit activity on an annual basis will provide useful insights for those working in the industry and beyond.

Mercury Marine launches new revolutionary Mercury propellers Flo-Torq SSR hub kit to substantially improve NVH performance for outboards from 40 HP to 225 HP

Brunswick Marine in EMEA 

Announces that the Mercury Propellers’ all-new Flo-Torq SSR Hub Kit product is officially available for sale into the Mercury dealer network.

 

 

The SSR hub kit is a world class hub kit solution that is created to specifically reduce and virtually eliminate prop-rattle and shifting noise while providing maximum durability for smaller and mid-range horsepower outboards. The Flo-Torq SSR utilizes Mercury’s proven Soft-Shift Rubber technology in a quiet hub kit that provides an NVH upgrade for Flo-Torq II hub applications where the maximum reduction of noise, vibration, and harshness is desired. It also Replaces Flo-Torq III and IV to simplify Mercury’s hub kit offering while providing an increase in performance at a reduced cost without sacrificing durability. The SSR technology provides 22-23% peak noise improvement at shifting events, both neutral-forward and neutral-reverse, virtually eliminating shift clunk.

 

 

As many boaters have been graciously offered quieter and quieter Mercury boat engines, it is imperative that Mercury Propellers offers products to also minimize noise, vibration, and harshness.  The work put into this product is another proof of the commitment of Mercury to improve the NVH for its customers. The Flo-Torq SSR is the perfect complement to Mercury outboards from 40HP up to 225HP with a 1” propeller shaft in general purpose, non-surface piercing applications.

The SSR Hub Kit is in addition to two other SSR products already available today:  The SSR HD and the SSR Solid.  The all-new SSR (non-HD, non-Solid) completes the SSR portfolio with its target being more general-purpose applications where noise reduction is the most important.

 

New MerCruiser Bravo Four S forward-facing drive with Smart Tow system delivers total control for tow sports

Mercury Marine® unveiled its Bravo Four S™ forward-facing drive with Smart Tow® controls, a new drive system for MerCruiser® engines that elevates the art of crafting perfect wakes for wakesurfing, wakeboarding and other tow sports. Digital controls that coordinate ballast, surf tabs and propulsion settings under a single and intuitive user interface make it easier than ever before.

 
Water tow sports like wakesurfing and wakeboarding — has gained global popularity. Mercury engineers carefully studied all the refinements that go into optimizing a boat's wake for each of the various tow sports and devised a system to make those settings easy for the boater.

"Whether boaters are veteran wakesurfers or new to tow sports, the Bravo Four S forward-facing drive delivers the power to do it safely and reliably in combination with proven MerCruiser 4.5-liter V6, 6.2-liter V8 and 8.2-liter V8 sterndrive engines ranging from 250hp to 430hp."

Mercury SmartCraft® digital technologies, including an upgraded Smart Tow system, come standard with the Bravo Four S drive. These controls allow customization of the tow sports experience with just a few taps on a Mercury VesselView® touchscreen display. The driver can simply select the desired tow sports activity, and the Smart Tow system will display the appropriate controls to dial in the perfect launch acceleration, towing speed and wake characteristics.

Other advantages of the Bravo Four S drive include:

• Enhanced maneuverability, especially at low speeds, resulting from the forward-facing props' extra "grip" on the water;
• The SmartCraft Digital Throttle & Shift system for precise control, which is particularly important when riders are in tow;
• A selection of five new propellers designed specifically to leverage all the advantages of the Bravo Four S drive; and
• Support from the vast network of Mercury authorized dealers who can service the entire system, from drive to display.

We started with our highly visionary legacy designs and added new technologies, digital functionality for the user and seamless integration with the engine and boat controls. This is the forward-facing drive for the new generation of tow sports enthusiasts.

The new MerCruiser Bravo Four S forward facing drive will be available in EMEA markets from October 2020.

 

Suzuki Develops the World's First Micro-Plastic Collecting Device for Outboard Motors

 

Start of the Suzuki Clean Ocean Project, a new initiative tackling marine plastic waste issues

Suzuki Motor Corporation has developed the world’s first* Micro-Plastic Collecting Device which can be installed on outboard motors. Marine plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue in the recent years and a huge amount of such wastes that has not been gathered correctly flow into the ocean. They are then broken down into micro-plastic under the natural environment and their impact on the ecological system is also becoming a concern. 

To tackle these issues, we focused on the structure of the outboard motor, which pumps up tons of seawater to cool the engine and then returned to the ocean. We developed a collecting device which collects micro-plastic waste utilizing the returning water. Through this device, micro-plastic waste around the water surfaces can be collected just by running the boat.

The device can be installed to a return hose easily, and it does not affect the engine performance since it only utilizes the returning water that have already been used to cool the engine. According to the monitoring research conducted in Japan, micro-plastic waste was found within the substances collected through the filter. The research is also being conducted abroad and further improvements will be made. We plan to introduce the device as an optional part from 2021 and incorporate it into the standard feature in the future.

*Suzuki research as of 1 October 2020.