Cu Lir a 17m Aluminium Expedition Yacht Optimised for Ocean Science and Marine Archaeology

Cu Lir is the fifth boat built to the plans of Ed Joy's Good Hope 56 design. Ed's design was adapted for ocean science and marine archaeology.  

KM Yacht builders in Makkum were selected for hull construction and on completion at Makkum  the bare hull was then brought to Ireland where Derry Connell Marine undertook her outfitting and in partnership with Baumuller GmbH the specification, design and installation of a bespoke hybrid propulsion and microgrid system.

Smaller, with less internal volume, in comparison to other sailing boats employed for the same purpose we sought to mitigate her limited capacity to accomodate science parties by optimising the capabilities of her propulsion and microgrid system. This was done to enable the deployment of a broader range of equipment. such as a work or inspection class ROVs

With the ability to raise the fin keel and reduce lateral resistance, the flexibility of her powering and energy storage systems offered the possibility to employ dynamic positioning in "green" or "diesel electric" mode and this has been incorporated in her design.

While the effectiveness of Cu Lir's DP system is yet to be proven, its application on a hull form not ideal for its use, and more suited to going to windward, belies the philosophy of her propulsion design ..... "to mitigate the boats limitations by enhancing her technical operational capabilities".