Just a few days after its launch, Actual Ultim 4 was already at sea for its first technical sailings. On July 23, our team joined a decisive day of testing and fine-tuning the wind and autopilot systems—at the very heart of this trimaran’s performance.
The conditions were ideal: a steady 12 to 18 knots of wind, a gentle swell, and a comprehensive sailing program (upwind, downwind, reaching) that allowed us to evaluate the settings in every configuration.
The objective:
- Adjust the autopilot parameters in both heading and wind modes
- Validate safety and performance logics
- Ensure smooth, stable, and reliable navigation from the very first sea trials
This mission also provided the opportunity to test all user interfaces while supporting the crew in mastering the onboard tools.
Beyond the technical aspects, the day was enriched by in-depth exchanges with the sailing team and technical managers of the project, focused on the Exocet solutions on board: autopilot, wind management, sensor failure handling, onboard and shoreside data management…
At the end of these first trials, the entire autopilot system was properly configured and validated—ready to support the crew with performance that matches the project’s ambitions.
These first sailings embody the results of a demanding collaborative effort, dedicated to performance at sea.
They also reflect the trust placed in Pixel sur Mer to meet the most demanding technical challenges in offshore racing.