"c'est normal": Bernico creates carbon yacht that travels at over 100 knots
Sören Gehlhaus
· 25.09.2023
Stockholm's archipelago is a tranquil place: 30,000 islands criss-crossed by rounded granite rocks and surrounded by deep green forests. Since last year, a 16-metre-long carbon barge has been shooting through this idyll at over 100 knots. The RIB, painted in black and grey camouflage, is called "c'est normal" and was built by Bernico for and with Jon Olsson. The former professional freeskier challenged the Belgian boat builders with a dayboat with a gyro stabiliser that is as fast as an offshore racer and as well made as a super sports car costing two million euros.
Jon Olsson is a project man. The Swede has already upgraded villas in Marbella or designed vehicles from Porsche, Lamborghini (with ski boxes on the roof!), Audi or Rolls-Royce, in some cases helping to build them and then selling them again after a while. The 41-year-old has won numerous medals as a freeskier at the X-Games, is still sponsored by Red Bull and founded the bag brand Db with a Norwegian in 2012. They not only asked skiers, snowboarders and surfers what they wanted, but also stewardesses and airline representatives.
Social media channels helpful for marketing
Of course, Olsson's social media channels help with any marketing; he has 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube. His most popular vlog, or video diary, has been viewed 7.1 million times - and of course it involved a yacht, his father-in-law's Pershing. When the Swede started his first own boat five years ago, he was living in Monte Carlo with his wife and still without their two children, where he was looking at high-speed exhibits at the Monaco Yacht Show. "They were all quite nice, but then I jumped into a Bernico RIB and experienced 60 knots - without the hull banging," reports Olsson in one of his many videos.
A partner with multiple powerboat world championship titles was found, the Swede developed the military-inspired concept. And the Monegasque office of The A Group moulded his ideas and sketches into a yacht design. "I didn't like the fact that these boats looked so narrow. Hence the tube. We increased the width, but not underwater," he says in front of the ever-present camera. The PVC ring has a diameter of 52 centimetres and eight chambers.
Hull shape of the "c'est normal" decisive
Bernico was founded in 1991 by Nico Bertels south of Antwerp and also equips superyachts with tenders. His son Buby Bertels is part of the company, is Olsson's age and produces videos himself. There are recordings of shipyard visits, Olsson handling a measuring tape and myriad ideas and suggestions for improvement in his head. The hull shape of a P1 offshore monohull was immovable, everything else was scrutinised.
At 2.95 metres, "c'est normal" is so narrow that the Mercury Racing engines are staggered. The twin turbo units with eight cylinders, each with a displacement of nine litres and dry sump lubrication, only release their full power of 1140 kilowatts each when high-octane petrol is stored in the tank at the front. This was enough to reach 104.2 knots and set the speed record for RIBs. With normal fuel, the Mercurys each have an output of 993 kilowatts and are still easy to swallow, as Olsson found out during a crossing from Stockholm to Gotland when the tank ran empty and the coastguard helped out with canisters.
There is a choice of two helm stations, each with a Raymarine MFD, so that the pilot can steer on the port side and the co-pilot can accelerate on the opposite side, just like in offshore racing. There are modules for trim tabs and the surface drive, which ensures sophisticated operation.
The "c'est normal" is electrically powered
Another propulsion option is provided by two Torqeedos and 250-kilowatt batteries, which allow two hours of whispering at eight knots. A simple, separate system: the propellers of the electric motors are permanently installed and protrude out of the water at high speed. Like the bow thrusters, they are controlled via the steering wheel, which can be removed by means of a click mechanism for putting on and taking off. It contains rockers and a smartphone that supplies the Mercury app with engine data. Another reminiscence of super sports cars appears everywhere: Forged Carbon. The hot-pressed carbon fibre snippets were brought to fame by Lamborghini and look a little like marble in their matt finish. They can be found in the four bucket seats inspired by McLaren's Senna Seats, which move to the rhythm of the waves thanks to custom suspension from Öhlins.
Olsson moved the windscreen far forward and thus the cabin, creating more sleeping space aft. In the bow, there is space for a V-berth with a toilet hidden under the end of the mattress. The two loungers in the cockpit are similarly modular; they are free-floating at the back sections; the foot sections can be removed, hooked in and used as a table. Fridge drawers are located underneath. Anyone looking for a powerboat with the amenities of a yacht should have three million euros ready. Jon Olsson lists the Bernico 52R on the website of his own fashion label called c'est normal. He seems to enjoy the process of creation more than the result, however good it may be.
Technical data
- Length over everything:15,94 m
- Width: 3,43 m
- Skimming (rear):20°
- Material:Carbon
- Motors: 2 x Mercury Racing V8
- Engine power:2 x 1140 kW
- Speed (max.): 104 kn
- E-motors: Torqeedo
- Fuel:2000 l
- Water:150 l
- Navigation:Raymarine
- Infrared camera: FLIR M-300
- Deck covering: Esthec
- Construction: Bernico
- Exterior design: Jon Olsson, The A Group
- Interior design: Jon Olsson, The A Group
- Shipyard: Bernico, 2022
- Price: 3 million euros
