I have been sailing all my life. It’s a real passion”,
says in the preamble, Xavier Duveau. At 53, he has between twelve and thirteen years left to work. I want to have fun but also contribute to the environment.
So, the former engineer from Sigmaphi in Vannes (Morbihan) imagined building aluminum sandwich boats and set up his company, called Saltenders.
I want to produce in another way, to use existing resources. Honeycomb is already used in composite, but obviously it is very polluting and difficult to recycle. Whereas aluminum is 98 and 100%.
Second advantage of aluminum, it is extremely light: A weight halfway between fiberglass and carbon fiber.
Un prototype
At the beginning of September, Xavier Duveau joined the Incub’activ program of Golfe du Morbihan Vannes agglomeration. I have also just been validated for regional support for two years with Émergys.
Its first ambition is: to replace the semi-rigid boats found in our ports. In hot countries, the lifespan of a RIB is 5 years. When you part with it, it no longer has any value. If we take the aluminum equivalent, the weight of the material is still worth something and is infinitely recyclable.
A prototype is currently under construction in Saint-Nolff (Morbihan), in a barn lent to me by a friend.
Xavier Duveau imagined two processes: the first is a sandwich glued with epoxy, only 98% recyclable due to the presence of the glue, and a 100% aluminum sandwich, more technological, heavier but also more resistant. The sandwich is sufficient in itself for rigidity and the process can be industrialized thanks to the welding of the plates together, using robots.
From €6,500 to €12,000
Xavier Duveau has even already thought about an entry-level product. I can already offer a first range up to 4.20 m because I know where I am going in terms of resistance.
The engineer carries out laboratory simulations to understand the aerodynamic forces and mechanical tests. The proof of concept is underway as well as the testing phases.
The selling price would be €6,500 to €12,000 depending on the customization which is possible as you wish, because there is no obligation to use molds, as in composite.
For larger boats, Xavier Duveau is continuing his research and plans to work with other engineers. Maybe one day I could build my own boat and go sailing for retirement.
Contact : [email protected] or the Instagram account: SALTenders.
