BYD has deployed its skills to create a lethal combination of speed, strength and pure adrenaline in the form of the new Fugu 29 sports RIB. Capable of fast economical cruising as well as turns of speed in excess of 50 knots, this break-out boat owes much of its safety and economy to the technical work of the Palma-based design outfit BYD.
When the Swedish start-up first got in touch with lead architect Tia Simó, the hull shape for the 29ft rocket had already been set in stone. What was missing was the structure to support the high performance PeteStep hull at great speed and under huge loads. Not only that, but the result had to be well balanced and comfortable. It is not a common way to design a boat, but it was nevertheless a challenge that BYD was happy to take on.
“With such a high performance boat, the structure design is very delicate,” explains Simó. “The material selection and mechanical properties take on the utmost importance. One of our main goals was to achieve structural continuity with the large number of steps or interruptions in the hull skins of the boat. Production techniques were also very important, so as to achieve the desired mechanical properties for the designed structure.”
PeteStep is a Swedish business that has designed a patented fast hull form with lower wetted surface than normal V-shaped hull and deflectors that direct spray aft. It results in a quieter, more stable ride with much lower slamming and half the G-force, as well as a third less fuel burn. But in order to see those benefits the design and engineering of the boat is critical.
How BYD designs one of the the best structures
BYD used many of its key disciplines, including a deep-seated understanding of naval architecture and the ability to conduct advanced Finite Element Analysis to design the appropriate structure. This was combined with long experience of the applicable regulations and an appreciation of production methods.
The result is a boat that Simó is eager to take out for a spin. “I haven’t had a chance yet, as it is hard to travel still but I am eager to do so!” he enthuses. “Normally we always test drive our designs, and it is one of the sweetest moments of the process!”
As befits its lethal pufferfish namesake, the Fugu 29 is a lean black monster of a day boat. It totes four Ullman Bulldog shock-absorbing seats complete with flip out foot pedals to make light of rough conditions at speed. There’s a ghost of an aft sun pad and simple interior with a V-berth and an optional heads cubicle. Inboard engine options run up to an 8.2-litre Mercruiser V8 with a whopping 430hp capable of speeds up to 60 knots.
And yet, despite all this, the Fugu 29 offers staggering efficiency – consuming around 1lt of fuel per nautical mile at an exhilarating 40 knots. At a still-respectable 20 knots, range moves out to more than 300 miles. This is the genius of the hull design and the extremely lightweight structure developed by BYD.
“Performance and efficiency are always a balance between a good hull design, structure optimisation as well as arrangement and balance,” says Simó. “When you start adding unnecessary items to the boat the performance gets compromised, so it’s always hard to find the balance when we’re talking about a pleasure craft. I believe we have done so here with great success.”
About BYD Group
Bravo Yacht Design Group or BYD Group (previously known as Barcelona Yacht Design Group) was founded in 2004 and is managed by Tià Simó and Raúl Gonzalo. Based in the Spanish yachting hubs of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, it offers a complete design and naval architecture service for new construction as well as refits, working in partnership with yacht builders or directly with yacht owners themselves.
BYD Group has an international network of partners and, after almost two decades of continually expanding operation, it has truly earned its place as a trusted name in the yachting community. It works on the full spectrum of vessels, from smaller watercraft to superyachts, both sailing yachts and motoryachts, and has a number of international awards to its name.
With 20 and 30 years respectively of experience in the design, development, engineering and refitting of yachts, Simó and Gonzalo both studied naval architecture at the renowned Southampton University and Southampton Solent University. Their team includes naval architects, structural engineers, hydrodynamicists, exterior and interior designers - all alumni of Europe’s leading design institutions, such as Southampton University & Institute, Coventry University, ELISAVA design school and renowned Italian schools for interior design. BYD Group is a member of ANEN (the Spanish Nautical Association) and RINA (the Royal Institute of Naval Architects).
BYD Group considers its fleet to be a part of the family for the long-term. Thanks to the company’s extensive in-house skillset and investment in the most sophisticated design technologies available, it is able to support a yacht through its entire life cycle, from the earliest concept drawings with clients, construction phases and delivery to the annual maintenance, periodic refits and full-scale upgrades.
