A never seen before event in boating, broadcast from the über-cool industrial building ‘The Train Factory’, comprised an evening full of interesting insights and interviews culminating in slipping the covers off the new Axopar 22 Spyder and flagship Axopar x Jobe Revolve XXII.
During the launch co-founder and Creative and Innovative Director, Jan-Erik Viitala, was joined by Designer Jarkko Jämsen to discuss the Axopar 22, its creation and key benefits. The pair revealed the secrets behind Axopar 22’s design and talked about how they used virtual reality and Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD). They also explained why they design Axopar hulls the way they do and discussed the layout options.
KEY IDEAS
The idea behind creating a smaller product was to make a boat that was accessible to a larger and younger audience.
Viitala started by saying that they wanted to focus on the “drivability, versatility, handling and also the cost-effectiveness.” They were seeking “something that is new, fresh but also with a good price point.”
For Viitala the most important part of the project was “the things you cannot see but that you can experience, the magic that happens which makes a product great.”
“In simplicity, there is complexity. When you start from the drawing board and say, ‘Let’s make a more compact Axopar.’ We actually use the same number of engineering hours as the 28 and first 37. With more knowledge, you want more,” says Viitala.
Jämsen added, “For the customers, it is usually about the looks, but for us, it is what is on the inside, what is in the engineering, the hull, the weight, the centre of gravity. That is what we push mostly.”
DESIGN PROCESS
Aivan, the company Jämsen co-founded, is one of the first to use virtual reality to design boats and this is what they used when creating the Axopar 22. Of course, they also made wooden mock-ups, one of the more classical methods, but taking everything virtual allowed designers from all around the world to contribute to the project .
The team also have access to Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD), which gives them the ability to see how the water pressure reacts under the water and against the hull.
- BIG FLARE IN THE BOW – when the boat dips into the large waves this flare deflects the water and gives the boat more buoyancy, which is helpful in the heavier seas.
- CHINES – above the waterline are the chines, which again deflect more water.
- TWIN STEPS – used to channel air underneath the water. These give a platform of air the boat can ride on. They are using air between the hull and the water to create air lubrication for less drag and it also helps with stability.
- PROPULSION– anything between 150hp to 200hp.Viitala explains: “This is by far the most complex mould we have ever built – not even the 37 comes close to the complexity and this is mainly because we had three important benefits we wanted to bring to the consumer”
- The ability to fit into a container
- Maximum stability we can achieve on a 22 footer – “this is what sets us apart from most of our competitors, that when you are onboard, driving or have it resting, it’s very stable – it doesn’t want to roll in the sea and that has a lot to do with safety, comfort and handling . Even when you take this out in bad weather, whatever wave conditions you have, it’s always travelling in a balanced way.”
- Trailerability – “We wanted it to be this size and weight so it can be towed behind a mid-sized SUV or a big-sized touring car.”
FUNCTIONALITY
Don’t worry Australasia, Axopar has our back. Despite only launching with the open Spyder model, we are told that the T-Top is also available. The top covers the full beam of the boat so that we are protected from our strong sun and unreliable weather. This T-Top is also fitted with zippers which will completely open up for when you want some additional vitamin D.
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Viitala went on to explain the purposes of the multiple layout options.
OPEN AFT AREA: THE TRANSPORTER
If you want a functional aft area this standard open cockpit layout is suitable for those who want to go offshore fishing or take small groups onboard.
AFT SOFA: THE ENTERTAINER
The U lounge can seat more than 6 people, with a table in the centre. There is also an option to add an additional cushion in the centre for a full-width sun lounge.
MULTISTORAGE UNIT: THE ADVENTURER
Chose this layout if you want a place to store and lock up water toys. This versatile layout doubles as a sunbed and has a removable backrest which can go vertically or horizontally.
