Following the successful collaboration on the BGH-HSV project, the Bluegame shipyard decided to team up with CH again to develop a foil-assisted multihull capable of drastically reducing fuel consumption while simultaneously increasing comfort at sea. The synergy with Caponnetto-Hueber has resulted in what is perhaps the flagship boat of 2025 in its category.
The result is a highly efficient, comfortable and robust foil-assisted multihull, where performance gains are achieved through physics-based design rather than added mechanical complexity. The BGF45 is a clear example of how Caponnetto-Hueber combines advanced fluid dynamics, naval architecture and performance prediction to transform ambitious ideas into viable, efficient vessels.
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Bluegame is a shipyard where innovation is not a slogan but a mindset, an attitude very much aligned with our own. The brief was not about incremental improvement, but about rethinking the behavior of a 45-foot pleasure yacht at sea. A foil-assisted solution was chosen early on, but the real challenge lay in identifying the optimal balance between hull geometry, foil configuration, performance, robustness and simplicity.
The development began with an extensive numerical exploration phase. Dozens of hull and foil combinations were tested in RANS. Each configuration was assessed in terms of resistance, lift distribution and propulsion efficiency. The design progressively converged toward a fixed central foil, without control surfaces, relatively submerged but no deeper than necessary to increase the propeller immersion.
Starting with straight-line simulations in calm water, the best candidates moved on to seakeeping simulations to check the reduction in vertical acceleration and then maneuverability, verifying banking angle and lateral acceleration. Finally, cavitation and ventilation analyses were performed on the final candidates.
One of the most significant outcomes of this process was the realization that aft stabilizers (elevators) (commonly used on similar vessels) could be completely eliminated, simplifying the system while preserving performance and comfort.
Throughout the project, high-fidelity CFD simulations performed with STAR-CCM+ were combined with in-house performance prediction tools, creating a coherent design and validation framework. This included:
30% more efficient sport yacht developed with Bluegame / Sanlorenzo.
Multiphase and multi degrees of freedom CFD simulation setup for optimization and validation of performance predictions related to sailing yachts and commercial vessels with WASP devices
A high-fidelity Ship Digital Twin for Wind-Assisted Power Performance Prediction and Voyage Optimisation.
During the 33rd America’s Cup cycle, Mario Caponnetto contributed to hydrodynamic assessment workstreams aligned with the BMW Oracle wing-sail platform, the configuration that ultimately won the Match. This milestone marked the shift toward aero-hydrodynamic integration in Cup design culture.
BMW Oracle Racing
America’s Cup / Aero-Hydro Integration / Performance Engineering
In 2021, Caponnetto Hueber led the CFD, foil design, and hydrodynamic engineering for the AC75 of Luna Rossa Challenge, the eventual Prada Cup winner. We deployed multiscale CFD and aero-hydro coupling to ensure optimum lift and control. Rapid iteration delivered performance gains under tight competition timelines.
Luna Rossa Challenge
Racing Concept / CFD / Foil Design