In collaboration with Effect Ships International AS, Norway, Tuco has launched a carbon sandwich Air Supported Vessel (ASV) Soft Motion Demonstrator. The unique vessel is 18 x 5,2 m and fitted out with two small Volvo Penta IPS 600 pod drives (2 x 320 kW). With the patented ASV concept the vessel “rides on a cushion of air”, reducing wetted surface area and hull/water resistance to a minimum.
In the video, which you can see at the bottom of this article, the vessel reached a speed of 37,2 knots (prior to any optimization work). Even more remarkable was the fuel consumption:
At a speed of 25 knots, the all inclusive (propulsion and lift fan powering) consumption was only 3,0 liters / NM. Nothing but remarkable!
Equally impressive at 30 knots speed – only 3,3 liters/ NM. Beat that!
Following in house debugging and documentation tests, starting mid August, the vessel will be presented and demonstrated to the market.