2023 - 2024 seasons in a nutshell

With the 2025 season on the horizon, this is the perfect time to take stock of what has happened over the last two UniBoAT seasons, from a complete team renewal to the addition of a new event on the calendar.

The continuous evolution of the project led to an initial revision of the boat during the 2023 season, introducing several improvements. Among these was a new battery box now covered with fabric, which allowed for a reduction in the boat’s weight without compromising safety. Another major visible modification was the introduction of new side air intakes for the fuel cell: these were completely redesigned to ensure better airflow while minimizing the risk of water ingress. Previously, the air duct had a simpler design but carried a constant risk of water intake, which could lead to fuel cell failure. The hydrogen team also introduced a new electro-actuated control for the hydrogen line valves, further enhancing the onboard safety system.

Another significant addition was the introduction of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) onboard. These systems enabled the implementation of anti-collision technology along with a route correction system. Additionally, efforts were made to continuously reduce weight and develop optimized propellers for competition.

The introduction of these updates allowed the team to further elevate its performance, securing first place in the overall ranking of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

The 2024 season immediately presented itself as one filled with great challenges. With performance already pushed to the limit, the team needed to introduce a key new element to enhance Futura’s capabilities. In order to improve top speed, efficiency, and maneuverability, UniBoAT decided to introduce a new outboard motor!

Setting aside the previously used commercial-derived units, the team embarked on a collaborative effort to develop a new electric outboard motor, as they were unsatisfied with the performance and efficiency of the propulsion units available on the market. Thus, the “Nettuno Project” was born, leading to the creation of the first outboard motor in a pusher configuration equipped with a counter-rotating transmission. This solution was patented on the occasion of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's Award. The development of the new motor also impacted other aspects of the boat. For example, the entire electrical power supply system was redesigned, moving from a 48V system to a 96V system to further improve efficiency.

Of course, the voltage change along the electrical lines required a complete revision of the boat’s power system, leading to the development and implementation of new components capable of handling the increased load.

But the updates didn’t stop there! Among the various innovations introduced for 2024 were additional components that, although not used in competition, played a crucial role during all testing sessions. These included the hulls and their respective crossbeams. This significant upgrade was a response to recent regulatory changes that prevented participants from testing their boats with the same hulls used in the Monaco competition. Additionally, the hydrogen system underwent further developments to comply with the new regulations for the 2024 edition. However, these hydrogen system modifications were not implemented in competition, as ensuring that Futura remained within weight limits took priority. This issue was resolved in preparation for the Sardinia Innovative Boat Week, where, due to organizational issues, hydrogen use was not authorized.

The results of the 2024 competitions were relatively satisfying, considering the number and magnitude of the modifications. Despite issues with the steering system, the team finished just off the podium in the Monaco event, proving competitive in various races and securing multiple podium finishes. Unfortunately, the slalom race proved to be a major setback, as a technical problem caused the team to drop to fourth place in the final standings.

Following the summer break, the team decided to further refine the project, implementing a new steering system and replacing the previous polymer-made propellers with metal ones.

These improvements allowed the team to arrive at the Sardinia Innovative Boat Week with Futura back in top form. Right from the first day, the boat proved to be one of the most competitive, securing victory in the Slalom Race on Thursday, the opening day of the competition. However, an electrical system failure prevented another win on Friday during the Time Trial.

Thanks to the team’s dedication, the failure was resolved overnight, allowing participation in Saturday’s races: the Match Race and the Speed Race. Both ended with a fantastic victory for the UniBoAT team. These two key results were a major morale booster, as the team won three out of six races in the Sardinian event, finishing third in the overall standings.

At the conclusion of the season, the team shifted its focus to developing the catamaran for 2025, setting new, clear development goals with the ambition of further elevating performance levels.