Bullitt

Bullitt

Bullitt

28m Sailing Yacht | Wally 93

A 28m Wally 93 campaigner engineered with a high-performance four-tank ballast system, capable of transferring tonnes of water in under six seconds.

The Brief

Bullitt’s refit called for turning a ballast system concept design into a workable system: four tank volumes with fully automated pick-up, transfer and discharge, integrated into the yacht’s existing general arrangement.

The Approach

BMComposites worked alongside Pure Design & Engineering, Judel/Vrolijk and Innovative Structural Design to complete the final design layout for the system. All composite components were built at the company’s own facility, with 3D scanning, 3D printing and CAD/CAM CNC manufacturing used to produce ultra-lightweight CFRP parts.

The scoop intake required particular care, filling the tank volumes through a controlled master pump and distributing water to suit the chosen trim. At the critical moment, several tonnes of water transfer to the opposite tank in under six seconds, a process capable of placing significant load on the new and surrounding structure without precise design and installation.

The Result

BMComposites worked closely with the captain, designers, engineers and subcontractors to manage the project from initial briefing through installation and final commissioning.

In her first outing after the refit, Bullitt won IRC 1 at the 2023 Rolex Middle Sea Race and took overall victory on corrected time.

Begin Your Project

From refit to bespoke composite structures, our project management team is ready to talk through what’s next.

Galateia

Galateia

Galateia

30m Sailing Yacht | Green Marine

A high-performance 30m racer equipped with a fully automated four-tank water ballast system, built for split-second transfer and total structural precision.

The Brief

Galateia’s design team needed to turn a concept for a water ballast system into a working installation: four tank volumes, two per side, with fully automated pick-up, transfer and discharge, integrated into the yacht’s existing general arrangement. BMComposites was also asked to manufacture and install a new sliding foredeck hatch and sail take-down system.

The Approach

Working alongside Pure Design & Engineering and Diverse, BMComposites completed the final design layout for the entire ballast system. Every composite component was produced at the company’s own facility, using 3D scanning, 3D printing and CAD/CAM CNC manufacturing to achieve ultra-lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) parts.

The system called for particular attention to the scoop intake, which fills the tank volumes through a controlled master pump and distributes water as needed for the boat’s trim. At the right moment, several tonnes of water need to transfer to the opposite tank in around five seconds, a process that can place significant load on the surrounding structure if not engineered and installed with precision.

The Result

BMComposites worked closely with the captain, designers, engineers and subcontractors to manage the project from initial briefing through installation and final commissioning. Galateia went on to take first place at the 2023 PalmaVela.

Begin Your Project

From refit to bespoke composite structures, our project management team is ready to talk through what’s next.

Black Sails

Black Sails

Black Sails

40m Sailing Yacht | Wally 130

A striking 40m Wally 130 fitted with fully custom carbon-fibre helm consoles, combining precision engineering with a sculptural, clear-coated finish.

The Brief

BMComposites was called upon to design and manufacture new helm consoles for Black Sails, the 39m Wally superyacht. Given their visually prominent position on board, the consoles demanded precise manufacturing and a finish that would show off the carbon fibre construction beneath.

The Approach

The visually-striking design and prominent positioning on board called for the precise manufacturing of the components.

The design was split into two modules: a sleek helm pedestal carrying a minimal set of engine and thruster controls, and a separate switch panel for hydraulic and sail control buttons that pivots out from the yacht’s side coamings using a custom-designed soft-eject closing mechanism. Both were finished in a clear coating to leave the carbon fibre construction visible.

The helms also feature a back-lit trim line running around the periphery of each pedestal, achieved by developing a technique to inlay laser wire directly into the component during manufacture.

The Result

The result is a set of helm consoles that combine a minimal, functional control layout with a finish that shows off the precision of the underlying carbon fibre construction, a fitting complement to Black Sails’ distinctive design.

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Considering a custom helm console for your own yacht? Talk to BMComposites about your project.