The Petestep hull is a groundbreaking technology that redefines the standards of motorboat construction. Approximately a decade ago, the Swedish company Petestep designed and patented an innovative solution that revolutionised the way in which boats interact with water. At Virtue Yachts, we have implemented the Petestep hull across all of our models, making it the technological heart of our fleet.
The specifics of the design and its operating principle
The Petestep hull is based on a patented structural solution in which special elements known as deflectors, or steps, are placed on the bottom of the hull. These precisely engineered structures surround the waterline and actively interact with the flowing stream of water. The operating principle relies on harnessing the energy of the water – the deflectors redirect it downwards and backwards, rather than allowing it to flow inefficiently around the hull. As a result, the boat gains greater lift and improved propulsive force, while at the same time achieving a significant reduction in drag.
The Petestep hull features a smaller surface area in contact with the water than traditional designs, which further reduces friction. Unlike conventional steps, which often cause hard and noisy landings, the Petestep steps effectively absorb the impact of waves. Advanced CFD simulations have allowed the hull to be optimised across all speed ranges, ensuring versatility of application. Each deflector has been designed with the specific parameters of the vessel in mind, making the Petestep hull a solution precisely tailored to the characteristics of the individual boat.
Hydrodynamic advantages for comfort and economy
The Petestep hull offers boat owners a range of measurable benefits arising from its unique hydrodynamic design. The reduction in water resistance ranges from 10 to 30%, which directly translates into fuel savings, in practice, this can mean up to 35% lower energy consumption, particularly at medium and high speeds. This makes it possible to use smaller, lighter engines without any loss of performance, which further reduces operating costs.
The acceleration of the vessel increases by approximately 20 to 50%, providing a dynamic throttle response and improved planing performance. The Petestep hull delivers an exceptional ride comfort, boats ride higher, and the steps effectively absorb the impact of waves, reducing it by as much as 50%. This means a smoother, softer ride on choppy water, without the jolting and discomfort typical of traditional hulls.
The noise caused by water pressing against the hull is significantly reduced, owing to the absence of flat surfaces striking the water directly. The increased stability both when underway and at rest, is another important advantage of the Petestep hull, one that translates into safety and confidence when handling the vessel in all conditions.
The Petestep hull is the technological heart of every Virtue Yachts vessel
The application of the technology in Virtue Yachts boats
The Petestep hull forms the foundation of every model in the Virtue Yachts range, underscoring our commitment to innovation and quality.
- The Virtue V10 Open is a proven ten-metre series designed with maximum energy and fuel efficiency in mind. Its sporty design with sharp lines suggests impressive performance, the vessel reaches a speed of 60 knots, and the Petestep hull, with its four optimised deflectors, ensures excellent control in all conditions.
- The Virtue V10 Top is distinguished by exceptional stability and ease of manoeuvring, with its integrated rigid hardtop combined with Petestep technology creating a vessel of outstanding performance and comfort.
- The Virtue V10 Cabin is a year-round explorer with a cabin layout intended for longer voyages, where the Petestep hull guarantees economical operation and a smooth ride even during multi-day expeditions.
- The forthcoming Virtue V14 Hardtop model, due to be launched in 2026, continues the tradition of efficiency and elegance, albeit on a larger scale. Each of the aforementioned vessels makes use of an underwater section developed and designed by Petestep, which makes them not only beautiful but, above all, efficient, comfortable, and user-friendly motorboats.
Expert and user opinions
The Petestep hull enjoys widespread recognition among industry experts for its innovative design and measurable operational benefits. Specialists unanimously emphasise that this technology delivers up to 50% fewer wave impacts compared to conventional solutions, which translates into a significantly smoother handling of the vessel.
The increased stability of the Petestep hull is particularly valued by experienced captains, who point to the confidence it inspires both at high speeds and when stationary. The energy efficiency of up to 35% lower fuel consumption is an argument that convinces even the most demanding users and in practice, it means not only lower costs, but also a greater range and the ability to undertake longer voyages without refuelling.
The unique arrangement of the steps effectively reduces planing noise, a fact that has been confirmed in numerous field tests and appreciated by yacht owners who value acoustic comfort. Users of boats equipped with the Petestep hull consistently highlight the unprecedented riding comfort, especially when navigating choppy water.
We can confidently state that Petestep technology sets a new standard in terms of performance, comfort, and style, combining advanced engineering solutions with practical benefits for every enthusiast of motorboat sailing.
