During the development of the Flaar 24 sailboat, the objective was to create a trailerable performance boat that combines shallow draft capability, high stability, and outstanding sailing performance. A central element of this concept is the electric swing keel system, driven by a Thomson linear actuator.
During the development of the Flaar 24 sailboat, the objective was to create a trailerable performance boat that combines shallow draft capability, high stability, and outstanding sailing performance. A central element of this concept is the electric swing keel system, driven by a Thomson linear actuator.
BIBUS Kft. provided engineering support in the selection and integration of the system.
(Source of technical data and images related to the vessel: The official Flaar website and the Flaar Performance Sailing YouTube channel. The materials were provided by Flaar.)
One of the most significant innovations of the Flaar 24 is its electrically adjustable keel.
Technical parameters:
The adjustable draft enables:
The system is therefore not an optional feature, but a functional and competitive advantage of the boat.
Designing an electric keel movement system presents several engineering challenges:
The boat’s carbon composite structure required particularly precise load transfer design. The system must not only function reliably but must also remain durable over the long term.
Selecting the appropriate Thomson linear actuator was a key step in the project.
The following criteria were considered:
The goal was to implement an electric actuator solution that:
Two videos were created about the Flaar 24 electric keel movement project, presenting the development from different perspectives.
The BIBUS Kft. video focuses on the application of the Thomson linear actuator, the technical challenges, and the engineering solution. It demonstrates the operation of the electric swing keel system and the industrial background of the keel movement technology.
The official Flaar video presents the project from the boat manufacturer’s perspective. It highlights the Flaar 24 concept, the advantages of the variable draft, and the practical operation of the electric keel system.
Together, the two videos provide a comprehensive overview of the project — from the sailing design concept to the engineering solution implemented with a Thomson actuator.
In this project, BIBUS Kft. did not simply supply a linear actuator.
The support included:
Determining the required actuator force, dynamic loads, and structural stresses.
Choosing the appropriate Thomson actuator type considering the environmental conditions and application requirements.
Optimizing the connection points and load path within the carbon structure.
Integrating control and power supply into the vessel’s electrical system.
This approach ensured that the electric swing keel system became a reliable, industrial-grade solution.
Today, the Flaar 24 electric keel movement system is:
The system contributes significantly to the boat’s mobility, performance, and usability.
This project demonstrates how linear motion technology, Thomson actuator solutions, and engineering support can create competitive advantages even in modern sailboat construction.
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