Polish yachtbuilder Sunreef Yachts has announced the Sunreef Wing, an automated rotating wing sail system intended for its next generation of luxury sailing catamarans.
The technology, revealed in November 2026, combines a self-supporting aerodynamic wing with adjustable camber, automated sail handling and AI-assisted controls. Sunreef says the system could reduce crew workload and improve aerodynamic performance compared with conventional rigs.
The wing rotates through 360 degrees to suit wind direction rather than relying on traditional mainsail and headsail trimming. Adaptive camber control automatically changes the wing's aerodynamic profile in response to conditions. Sunreef describes hoisting and lowering as completely hands-free operations that can be performed at anchor, including when wind is coming from astern — a meaningful departure from conventional mainsail hoisting, which normally requires head-to-wind orientation.
Sunreef claims the wing generates 50 per cent more aerodynamic lift and 40 per cent more propulsive force than a conventional sail of equivalent area under optimal apparent wind conditions. It also claims better upwind performance.
An AI-based system continuously analyses sailing conditions and coordinates the wing, rudders and propulsion. Proposed controls include voice commands, with integrated safety monitoring intended to operate continuously. The integrated approach suggests owners could manage large catamarans with reduced crew, though this remains to be demonstrated in real-world conditions.
Sunreef intends to integrate the wing with engines, hydrogeneration and solar power through an AI-based energy management system. The company says the wing can harness apparent wind to generate clean power while the yacht is under motor propulsion, though it has not disclosed energy-balance data, drag implications, mechanism details or electrical output figures.
The announcement follows Sunreef's established focus on integrated energy systems. The builder recently delivered Ipharra, the first electric sailing Sunreef 100 Eco, featuring a 770 kWh battery bank and twin 360 kW electric engines. Sunreef describes its electric sailing catamarans as complete energy ecosystems, combining sailing, solar generation, battery storage and electric propulsion.
Sunreef intends to introduce the Wing technology across its entire sailing catamaran portfolio, though individual models, installation dates and customer deliveries have not been announced.
Several technical questions remain unresolved, including how the wing's effective area would be reduced in stronger winds, depowering procedures for heavy weather, manual controls following electrical or software failure, and how apparent wind would be converted into electrical power while motoring.
