The Ferrari Hypersail is a 100-foot flying monohull engineered for complete energy autonomy during offshore racing. Developed in Maranello, this vessel uses an advanced energy management system powered by renewable sources and crew-generated energy. Consequently, the system allows the vessel to operate without traditional fuel dependencies during long-distance ocean navigation.
This project transfers technical expertise from the racetrack to the marine economy. Specifically, the vessel integrates automotive engineering with sailing technology to manage power distribution. Meanwhile, the development team focused on maximizing efficiency through integrated electrical architectures.
The Ferrari Hypersail Energy Concept
The onboard electrical system balances power generation and consumption while underway. Developed by the tech team in Maranello, the Ferrari Hypersail system harvests energy from the surrounding marine environment. As a result, the vessel remains self-sufficient during extended offshore journeys.
The technical team designed the vessel to capture both solar and wind power. Furthermore, high-voltage batteries manage the dynamic flow of electricity to various onboard systems. This setup ensures that critical flight control functions remain operational under diverse weather conditions.
“Hypersail is the first foiling monohull for ocean racing to achieve complete energy autonomy. Thanks to an electrical system that ensures the ideal balance between efficiency and performance, alongside innovative solutions such as Winch-by-Wire, all on-board adjustments are powered entirely by energy generated while underway.”
Marco Guglielmo Ribigini, Technical Team Leader of Ferrari Hypersail
Winch-by-Wire Technology Above Deck
Above the deck, the crew uses a Winch-by-Wire system to manage sail adjustments. This technology converts the muscular strength of the crew into electrical power. Subsequently, this power is centralized and distributed to the sail plan functions.
This system allows grinders to maintain a constant cranking cadence regardless of resistance. Notably, a single crew member can manage loads of up to 9 tonnes. The system uses the same electric motors found in the active suspension systems of the Ferrari Purosangue and F80 automotive platforms.
Flight Management and Appendage Control Below Deck
Below the deck, electronic control units and smart devices manage stability and ride height on the foils. The system operates across four voltage levels ranging from 12V to 800V. In addition, the active Flight Controller manages hydraulic flow using two distinct operating modes.
Slow movements, such as adjusting the foil arms, use an 800V rear e-axle. Meanwhile, fast movements of the control flaps rely on smaller pumps driven by 48V motors. This division ensures energy efficiency and provides necessary redundancy in marine environments.
Solar and Wind Energy Harvesting Systems
The development of Ferrari Hypersail relies on a 100-square-meter solar array integrated into the deck. These walkable panels were positioned using solar exposure simulations across various latitudes. Consequently, the design minimizes weight while maximizing power generation.
In addition to solar power, removable wind turbines are installed at the stern. Engineers optimized the intake angle to balance power generation with aerodynamic drag. This dual-source system stores surplus energy in two 800V batteries for real-time distribution.
