hu'chu recycles aluminum scrap into a sailing catamaran

Hu’chu 55 from aluminum scrap and discarded license plates

Hu’chu GmbH has introduced Hu’chu 55, a sailing catamaran owned by Daniel Roesner. The German actor, producer, and environmental entrepreneur isn’t only the proprietor. He was also the one who produced the 90 percent aluminum scraps repurposed for Hu’chu 55, tapping a major manufacturer along the way for the discarded objects. He recycled aluminum scrap, discarded license plates, road signs, cosmetic cans, as well as automotive and construction remains into his sailing catamaran, collaborating with iYacht GmbH along the way for the design.

Daniel Roesner himself picked the materials to be applied to his water vehicle. He ended up incorporating natural fibers, reclaimed wood, and recycled cork since he wanted to give them a second life. Metal wraps the exterior of Hu’Chu 55, and its rugged aesthetics may give off the vibe of an explorer catamaran. The latter may ring true, amplified by the shades of brown and black that color the interior of the water vehicle. iYacht’s design offices in Hamburg and Kiel worked closely with the owner to make sure he received what he pictured as his sailing catamaran.

all images courtesy of iYacht GmbH

iYacht GmbH builds a workspace for Daniel Roesner

When it comes to Hu’Chu 55’s rig and sail system, iYacht GmbH makes sure they’re easy to control from both the steering area and the rear of the boat. The yacht design and engineering studio placed three front sails for the sailing catamaran, including a self-adjusting one and a couple of others that can handle different wind conditions. There are boards on the bottom to help the water vehicle sail better against the wind, and the design team moved the mast further back to make the front sails larger.

The sailing catamaran comes with two electric motors that can help move it when needed, running quietly and free from vibration. The water vehicle has large batteries that can be recharged by solar panels or by the movement of the boat. In this way, the propellers spin and generate electricity when the boat moves, which then recharges the batteries. The solar panels on the boat not only create electricity but are also connected to a water heating system that keeps them cool. The sailing catamaran uses renewable energy to grow vegetables, clean water, and power all its equipment, including a room where Daniel Roesner works on editing films.

iYacht GmbH has also recycled road signs, cosmetic cans and automotive and construction remains

Sailing catamaran hu’chu 55 as a permanent home

iYacht GmbH designed Hu’Chu 55 in a way that Daniel Roesner can live there permanently on board, which is what he has in mind. To carry this out, the design team included a film area for him to work in, dry storage for protecting electronics and special equipment, and two garages for diving and sports equipment. All of these are tailored to Daniel Roesner’s needs, who plans to produce documentaries about the oceans as well as monitor the water quality. There’s even a boat garden in the middle of the sailing catamaran. Here, the owner can cultivate his own fresh food, regardless of his location, through the vertical hydroponic gardens.

‘After living four years on a steel cutter to test whether life on the water was for me, I quickly realized that it was my thing and that all I really wanted to do was make films and live on the sea,’ says Daniel Roesner. ‘I have a large circle of friends consisting of divers, free divers, scientists, and underwater filmmakers. I would like to collaborate with them to implement various projects on topics such as environmental protection, research, and adventure, and also hope to work with various universities. The boat is going to be a platform for sustainable research, adventure, film, and circular living. Hopefully, the Hu’chu 55 will be an inspiration to others as well.’

the Hu’chu sailing catamaran also incorporates natural fibers, reclaimed wood, and recycled cork