Gas Turbines for High-Speed Yacht

Three Vericor Power Systems’ TF™50 marine aeroderivative gas turbines have been selected to power the 118 Wallypower high-speed yacht being built by Intermarine Shipyard, Sarzana (Italy) for Wally Yacht. This is Wally Yacht’s first foray into high-speed power yachts, and the company’s initial application of gas turbines. Wally Yacht, based in Monte Carlo (Monaco) is a world-renowned designer of high-speed sailing and power yachts.

The 118-foot yacht will feature three TF50 gas turbines in a Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG) turbine configuration. Two TF50s will be used as side or “wing” engines, with one small auxiliary diesel engine connected to each wing engine. The diesels will provide for very slow maneuvering only. The wing engines will drive steerable waterjets while the center boost TF50 will drive a fixed waterjet. Total propulsion system output will be 16,800 horsepower/ 12,533 kilowatts. Cruising speed will be 60 knots, with a maximum speed of 70 knots.
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) packaged the CODOG system for the 118 Wallypower yacht. The integrated system includes three TF50 gas turbines, controls, Maag gears, as well as fuel, lube, cooling and exhaust components.

A team comprised of Vericor Power Systems and DDC field service engineers will install and conduct sea trials for the high-speed yacht. Installation of the CODOG system on the Wally Yacht is scheduled for March 2002. Sea trials are to follow in April/ May 2002.