YACHTING: SAIL DIFFERENT!

Wisamo offers a new sailing experience, combining ease and safety. Installed as main propulsion or as a hybrid to complement the motor, WISAMO wingsail uses the wind's energy to propel the boat.

80% of registered yachts and pleasure boats are motorboats:

  • Even if they consume a lot of fuel and emit CO2, they offer the possibility of navigating, subject to obtaining a license.

  • Operating a sailboat requires some maneuvering, which is not always accessible to everyone.

WISAMO PROVIDES AN INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

AN INNOVATIVE WINGSAIL FOR A VARIETY OF YACHTS AND SAILBOATS

The WISAMO system is particularly suitable for:

  • Yachting enthusiasts who prefer the ease of a motorboat but still want to sail.

  • Sailing experts - and novices - looking for simple navigation, without sail changes or other demanding maneuvers.

  • Yacht owners keen on design and innovation.

A NEW NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE COMBINING EASE AND SAFETY

A pioneer technology

Just enjoy sailing in security

The system consists of an automated wingsail that adapts to the wind autonomously, even reefing itself if necessary. In uncomfortable weather conditions, the wing goes into safety mode and lowers on its own. The boat remains stable, with no dunnage as the mast is fully retracted.

A seamless experience

Sailing combined with peace of mind

Sailing becomes easier and more comfortable, with little or no heel to suit your mood. Access to protected areas is made possible without the use of the engine. And the boat moves forward silently.

An innovating design

A new aspect of sailing

With a look of distinction, the sails becomes a pleasure of a different kind. The wing shape goes with the wind in a styling way. The deck is free of obstacles for optimal ciculation : no fitting neither guy to obstruct the pathway.

Planning a yachting project?

TESTED AND APPROVED BY SAILORS

WISAMO wingsail can be fitted to any type of boat and uses wind energy to propel it. It's very easy to use: you don't have to do anything except start the system and stay on course!

Michel Desjoyeaux - French sailor and Technical Consultant for WISAMO Michelin

A FEW MORE ANSWERS…

Where does WISAMO idea come from?

The idea of WISAMO –Wing Sail Mobility- was born in 2020 from a meeting between Michelin Research & Development team and 2 Swiss inventors during a fair dedicated to boating innovations in Geneva, all of them sharing the same vision of "all sustainable" Michelin.

What are WISAMO history and milestone?

  • 2020-2021: from an innovation to a prototype

    From March 2020, a dedicated team has been put in pace to develop WISAMO solution inside the incubation program from Michelin Group (MIL) : WISAMO team was born and structures itself for an original project.On 1st June 2021, WISAMO wingsail is officially presented at Movin’On international summit for sustainable mobility, being part of the innovation values of Michelin -the DNAs of the Group.A first step is overcome thanks to the development and the installation of a 100sqm wingsail prototype on French navigator Michel Desjoyeaux sailing boat. It is tested on Neuchâtel Lake in Switzerland before navigating in the maritime environment of the Atlantic Ocean where it is currently used.

  • 2022: a new milestone for WISAMO

    From January 2022, Michelin continues WISAMO development and forms a key partnership with Compagnie Maritime Nantaise MN – Groupe Sogestran, shipowner and symbolic actor of merchant maritime transportation.In July 2022, WISAMO team leaves Clermont-Ferrand to settle in Nantes in order to get closer to the maritime ecosystem and its key network.Simultaneously, the prototype tests keep on going with Michel Desjoyeaux sailing boat to continue technical developments with a continuous innovation mindset.

  • 2023: a conclusive year

    In January 2023, the wingsail is officially approved getting an AIP (Approval In Principle) from classification society DNV allowing the installation on a merchant ship from Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN.Then a second 100sqm wingsail prototype is implemented on the MN Pelican Ro-Ro ship for several months of usage. The objective is to keep on going with tests in continuation of those already done, the only difference being that the system has been designed to be adapted to deep maritime conditions to serve as testing ground.WISAMO prototype has supported the maritime crossings, travelling 2,476 miles a week during many months in action, which corresponds to several hundred hours of navigation across the Biscay Bay and the Channel between Bilbao (Spain) and Poole (UK).

  • 2024 focuses on SMALL wingsail commercialization

    100sqm prototype has been removed from MN Pelican Ro-Ro ship and returns of experience feed the technical team to work on scale 1:1 WISAMO wingsail.Michelin plant in Vannes evolves and welcomes the assembly workshops of the Small 170sqm wingsails ready to be implemented.

What is the link between Michelin strategy and WISAMO?

From Michelin strategy to shipping decarbonization

Demographic, technological and sustainability factors every day create major challenges and profound changes. To adapt, Michelin Group has always been a pioneer exploring new territories and innovating to a more sustainable world.With “Michelin in Motion” strategy, the Group promotes a great balance between People, Performance and Planet. The objective aims at conquering new markets thanks to the rise of new high added value domains, in, around and beyond tyres. And with its new activity introducing a wind propulsion system using wind energy for a maritime mobility, WISAMO fully answers the Michelin Group environmental strategy.

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