Team Malizia's mew IMOCA launches with Molabo Hybrid System

Team Malizia's mew IMOCA launches with Molabo Hybrid System © Flore Hartout - polaRYSE

Molabo and Team Malizia are continuing their collaboration with the integration of the second Molabo hybrid-electric propulsion and energy system into Team Malizia's newly launched IMOCA yacht. The new installation builds on the team's experience with its first Molabo hybrid system installed aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer.

For IMOCA teams, onboard energy management has become a critical design and performance factor. Modern offshore racing yachts rely on navigation, communications, autopilot systems, sensors, onboard computing, safety equipment and media systems while operating for weeks or months in some of the most demanding conditions on earth.

According to Team Malizia technical consultant Jesse Rowse, the priorities for the new installation were clear. "For the next generation, the two biggest priorities were weight and maximum efficiency," said Rowse. "The Molabo motor that makes the whole hybrid package possible is so small and compact, it gives us much more flexibility in the overall system architecture."

The first Molabo hybrid installation gave Team Malizia valuable real-world experience. For the new yacht, the team was able to approach the integration from the beginning with a much clearer understanding of how the system would perform.

"The system itself is quite similar, but the physical layout is very different," Rowse explained. "On the previous boat, everything had to go where the diesel engine had been. This time, because we already knew the system worked, we could optimize the layout from the start."

Compared with a conventional diesel system, Team Malizia estimates that the new hybrid installation also provides significantly more usable energy from the same amount of fuel. This efficiency is becoming especially important as the IMOCA class and race organizers place stricter limits on fossil fuel use during competition. Rowse noted that future Vendée Globe competitors will be limited to 60 liters of fuel, compared with the much higher quantities historically carried by IMOCA yachts.

"With the new rule, everyone can carry the same amount of fuel, but with this system we can get roughly twice as much energy from those 60 liters," said Rowse. "That is a big difference. Without a highly efficient system, teams will have to make compromises elsewhere, whether that means reducing communications, using hydrogenerators more often, or adding more solar panels and weight."

"The hybrid system gives gains in weight placement, gains in efficiency and many smaller gains in terms of the ergonomics and architecture of the boat," said Rowse. "For me, it is absolutely worth it, especially on an offshore boat."

Reliability was another major lesson from the first installation. "We never had a problem with the Molabo motor," said Rowse. "The motor always did what it was supposed to do." That knowledge allowed the team to optimize the new installation.

"The first system was partly about proving that it would work," Rowse said. "Now we can be much more confident. We know the motor is reliable, we know the system works, and that allows us to optimize the whole design around it."

While hybrid systems remain more expensive than conventional diesel installations, Rowse believes the advantages are worth it. "I would choose the hybrid system over a diesel system every day," Rowse said. "It gives you flexibility, efficiency and advantages in how you design the boat."

Rowse also sees interest increasing across the IMOCA fleet. "The technical teams are very interested," said Rowse. "On paper, they can see that it is better. I think as more boats use systems like this, confidence will grow."

Rowse also sees benefits for offshore sailing more broadly, because hybrid systems offer a practical bridge between conventional diesel propulsion and fully electric operation.

"The hybrid concept makes sense beyond race boats," said Rowse. "You get the good parts of electric propulsion, but you keep the ability to generate power when you need it. You can leave the dock silently on battery power, but if the wind disappears and you need to motor for several hours, you still have that capability."

"We've learned a lot from our continued partnership with Team Malizia," said Adrian Patzak, COO at Molabo GmbH. "The confidence and knowledge gained from the first system allowed the design team to improve layout, efficiency, and ultimately sailing performance in their new yacht. That is exactly how advanced marine electrification should evolve."