Zyvex Nano-Carbon Fiber Boat Successfully Completes Sea Trials Demonstrating Record Fuel Efficiency and Rough Seas Performance

Columbus-based Zyvex Technologies has announced the successful completion of sea trials on its 54-foot lightweight nano-carbon fiber boat near Pugent Sound in the Pacific Ocean.  The boat, named Piranha, sailed approximately 600 nautical miles in rough-weather seas and demonstrated record level fuel efficiencies.  A conventional boat made of aluminum or fiberglass would have consumed 50 gallons or more per hour at cruise speed.  In contrast, Piranha consumed only 12 gallons per hour at 25 knots.

Piranha is the first molecularly engineered boat and is the largest structure built with nano-enhanced materials.  The boat is made with advanced carbon fiber infused with carbon nanotubes.  This technology makes the boat lighter, easier to transport and more cost-effective to operate.  Piranha can travel 2,800 nautical miles without refueling and has operated in open-ocean conditions with waves exceeding 12 feet. Similar-sized vessels built from heavier materials can only travel 450 nautical miles without refueling and have limited rough-weather performance. 

For more details, see the release from Zyvex.