Hu’chu: the catamaran (17m) “green” of the actor from Special Team Cobra 11

Hu’chu is a 55-foot sailing catamaran designed and engineered by iYacht GmbH studio to meet the specific needs of actor, producer and environmental entrepreneur Daniel Roesner.

Nowadays, those who approach sailing and life at sea are increasingly concerned with the environment, which is expressed not only by an environmentally sustainable approach when on board, but also by taking an interest in the life cycle of a boat itself, the materials it is made of and how it is built.

So it was for Daniel Roesner, a German actor known in Italy for starring in the TV series “Special Team Cobra 11,” but who is also a film producer and above all an ocean lover. Among other things, he founded a company of surfboards made of 100 percent natural fiber. After living on a cutter for four years, Roesner decided to continue living on the sea and produce films. And to do so, he needed a special boat that could meet his practical needs of living aboard, his professional career, and his “green” philosophy.

A perfect mix of technology and nature

To realize the boat of his dreams, Daniel Roesner approached the design studio iYacht GmbH, and together they conceived the Hu’chu 55, a 55-foot, high-performance, marine catamaran designed according to the principles of circularity aboard which the owner could live, produce films, and conduct ocean research.

The term “Hu’chu” was coined by Daniel himself: “It is short for the place where he grew up, Hunsrueck in Germany, a land where the production of natural materials such as wood, flax, hemp and linen has a long tradition. “Chu,” on the other hand, refers to a place north of Malibu where I came in contact with the ocean and discovered surfing. This area belonged to the Chumash Indians, a tribe with a strong spiritual connection to the environment and especially to the ocean. Hu’chu represents the respectful combination of nature and technology.”

“Green” construction with recycled aluminum and natural fibers

To minimize environmental impact, Hu’chu 55 incorporates many recycled and recyclable materials. Roesner himself has produced aluminum composed of 90 percent scrap metal, such as license plates, street signs, cosmetic cans, car parts and construction waste. Aluminum produced in this way has a footprint of less than 2 kg of CO2 per kg of aluminum sheet, one-eighth of the average market footprint.

In addition, the multihull also uses natural fibers, including reclaimed wood and recycled cork. These materials were chosen by Daniel for their circularity: in fact, the use of recovered and recycled products helps to close the loop, reduce waste production, and give these materials a second life.

A true explorer capable of navigating anywhere

In terms of marine qualities and safety Hu’chu 55 possesses the robustness of an explorer and is suitable for navigation even in high and low latitude destinations. The rudder shafts and the underside of the hulls have been reinforced to resist ice and possible collisions with objects. The catamaran can also land on the beach: the rudders and propellers are protected by a pair of aerodynamically shaped keels that can support the boat’s weight once on land.

iYacht paid special attention to the stability of the boat, conducting extensive analyses to minimize pitching and ensure a dry deck. The rig and sail system are designed for easy handling from both the helmsman’s position and the aft cockpit. Three stays and a self-tacking jib, an overlapping genoa and a gennaker provide the versatility to adapt to different wind conditions. The “daggerboards” also improve upwind performance. Finally, to make it easier to handle the powerful mainsail, the mast has been placed further aft, which increases the area of the headsail.

Electric motors, the vegetable garden and a technical area to produce films

Two electric motors provide Hu’chu 55 with additional propulsion, operating quietly and without vibration. Large battery capacity (more than 100 kWh) ensures autonomy. These can be recharged by either solar panels or hydrogenerators. The electricity generated from these renewable sources will be used by Daniel Roesner to grow vegetables on board, for the water treatment system, and to meet all energy consumption. Daniel decided not to install an air conditioning system, which is energy intensive, a choice that reflects his strong commitment to sustainability.

And because Roesner has to live on this one but also work on designing the layout, iYacht has included a dedicated film assembly area, watertight storage to protect electronics and special equipment, and two garages to house equipment needed for diving.

In short, Hu’chu 55 represents a significant leap forward in terms of sustainability and circularity. Daniel Roesner is very pleased: “I am not an engineer or a scientist, but someone who has truly fallen in love with the sea and the planet on which he lives. iYacht’s design and engineering office acted as a filter for my imagination. I hope the Hu’chu 55 can be a source of inspiration for others as well.”

Hu’chu 55 Data Sheet

Length: 17.61 m

Width: 8.66 m

Draught: 0.64 m

Maximum speed: 20 knots

Water tank: 700 l

Design Category: A

Crew: 10 max.

Design: iYacht GmbH