Self sufficiency in energy

Since 2005, 43 IMOCA boats have been built and there will be 38 of them on the startline of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2022, altogether representing 88.5% of the fleet. In addition, two other 60-footers (11th Hour Racing Team and Team Canada) are also active. This means that 93% of the fleet is currently being used in IMOCA races. In addition, the boatscontinue to be exchanged; passing into the hands of yachtsmen, regatta sailors and some are even transporting goods.
 
It goes without saying that IMOCAs are destined to sail around the world several times, powered solely by the wind, for a good 20 years or so. Launched in 2004, François Guiffant’s KATTAN is the oldest IMOCA in Saint-Malo and Hubert, helmed by Éric Bellion (COMMEUNSEULHOMME powered by Altavia) has some six circumnavigations of the globe to her credit (4 Vendée Globes and 2 Barcelona World Races), and countless transatlantic passages, which equates to over 300,000 kilometres of water beneath her hull.

Furthermore, IMOCAs race a long way from shore and must be self-sufficient, particularly in terms of energy. Though on-board electricity consumption has doubled in the past ten years, the majority of the skippers’ needs are covered by hydrogenerators, solar panels and, in some cases, wind turbines (especially around the world). The remainder is provided by diesel (60L consumed on average by an IMOCA in the Vendée Globe 2020). This electricity is used to power the navigation unit, daily life on-board, communication and safety.