Sunreef yachts continues to try and position itself at the forefront of eco-minded boatbuilders. It already works with solar panels that are built right into yacht hulls, propulsion and other systems that reduce the use of traditional fuels, and onboard furnishings that run the gamut from leather and animal-skin alternatives to sustainable and reclaimed woods.

Now comes the use of recycled PET bottles in the construction process for composite superstructures. “This innovative use of structural foam, composed of up to 100 percent recycled PET materials, represents a significant stride toward more eco-conscious yacht construction,” the builder announced in April.

According to Sunreef’s team, the recycled thermoplastic core comes with quite a few benefits. The material has high resistance to process temperatures, “exceptional” chemical resistance, strong adhesion, and mechanical properties. It’s also fully recyclable. “The construction of an 80-foot sailing catamaran requires approximately 2.4 tons of this foam core, equivalent to recycling around 600,000 PET bottles,” according to the Sunreef team.

Other companies in the marine industry are thinking in similar directions. Earlier this year, North Sails announced the debut of its Renew line, which is made with bio-based and recycled raw materials.

The team at North Sails says it took a few years to figure out the process to source the materials and make the sails, but product director Tom Davis is confident in the result: “This product has been tested to the absolute limit, and we are confident that a sail constructed with Renew will offer comparable, unbeatable durability and sail shape for our cruising customers without compromising on performance.”

What Else Can It Be?

Recycled pet bottles are used in all kinds of products today. They can be turned into polyester fiber for clothing and carpets, a stuffing-type material for pillows and sleeping bags, straps to keep items secure on carts and pallets, and various types of packaging such as egg cartons and food containers.

The post Sunreef Yachts and North Sails Champion Eco-Friendly Build Materials appeared first on Yachting.

The Sunreef 60 Power Catamaran has a superyacht-size beam of 35 feet, which translates to home-size living spaces on a 60-footer. HMY Yacht Sales currently has Nero, a 2022 Sunreef 60, listed with a $4.695 million price tag. 

“Nero is the most highly customized Sunreef 60 Power Catamaran that has launched to date,” HMY says. “No expense was spared by her owners in the development of her machinery spaces, galley, stateroom layouts and appointments, and absolute top of the line electronic equipment and tender choices.”

The upgraded, 1,000 kg hydraulic swim platform capable of stowing the Williams Dieseljet 445 tender with Yanmar 110 hp engines further reinforces this sentiment.

Twin 705 hp Cummins QSM 11 diesels give Nero a 15.5-knot top speed. On the flybridge, the helm station sits forward on the centerline with a three-person bench and a raked and tinted windshield which helps to greatly reduce glare. A U-shaped dinette, capable of seating eight with two chairs pulled up, sits abaft the helm station. A sunroof above the dinette helps guests keep an eye on the blue skies above while enjoying elevated alfresco dining.

Nero’s foredeck wastes no space with a lounge area built in between the yacht’s superstructure and the walkaround teak deck. The cockpit has alfresco dining for eight with the transom bench seat and chairs pulled up to the fixed table. 

The main deck’s interior has a sofa and fixed table to port and the galley to starboard. The galley feature’s an oversized island in the center of the salon and a range of appliances, including:

• Miele dishwasher 
• Bosch speed oven with microwave, convection and conventional oven capabilities  
• 55-inch Samsung television
• Sonos surround sound 
• Two-door Liebherr refrigerator
• Miele cooktop
• Oversized sink 
• Stowage

After a fun day on the water comes to an end, Nero has four staterooms belowdecks to accommodate up to eight guests. There’s also a starboard-side captain’s cabin aft. The master stateroom has a king berth and an en suite shower. A queen-berth VIP is forward while two en suite guest staterooms can be accessed forward of the galley. 

Some other notable features on board Nero include: 

• Garmin 8622 GPSMAP 22-inch multifunction displays (2)
• Garmin Fantom 4-foot open array radar
• Garmion AIS 800 
• Icom M506B VHF (2)
• Vesper Cortex V1 VHF/AIS receiver (2)
• Starlink High Speed Internet Receiver (2)
• Icon portable hand-held VHF (2)
• Cummins 22.5 KVA generator
• Cummins 11.0 KVA generator

Where is Nero located? The yacht is currently lying in Brooklyn, New York.  

Take the next step: contact the listing agent, Dean Young, (561) 301-7031, dyoung@hmy.com

Quick Specifcations

• Length Overall: 60’
• Maximum Beam: 35’
• Fuel Capacity: 2,642 gallons
• Draft: 4’1”

The post For Sale: Sunreef 60 appeared first on Yachting.

Two leading yachtbuilders, Sirena Yachts and Sunreef Yachts, have opened new shipyards.

Sirena Yachts has renovated three build halls in Yalova, Turkey, which is near Istanbul, so the spaces can be dedicated to construction of the brand’s new superyacht line that starts with the 42 Steel. The builder now has a workforce of 1,200 people.

“Yalova is an area renowned for its commercial shipbuilding, so it is appropriate that we should be building the new 42 Steel there,” chief operations officer Ali Onger stated in a press release. “Hot steel work, such as cutting, bending and welding, will all be done by subcontractors on-site. We will also do the outfitting and interior fit-out here. The chief advantage is that we can launch our growing range of big yachts directly from the production halls, with no need for transportation to the water’s edge.”

The original Sirena Yachts shipyard, which is located inland, will continue to manufacture the Sirena 48, 58, 68 and 78. Fit-out on the Sirena 68 and 78 is done at another location in Yalova. The Sirena 88 flagship model is built in Tuzla, in a location that allows for construction of four of the 88s at a time.

Meanwhile, in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Sunreef Yachts used the occasion of the recent Dubai International Boat Show for the official inauguration of its new shipyard. Sunreef says the new location signifies the brand’s commitment to expanding its global presence, with construction in the new facility at first focused on the Ultima catamaran range.

Several Ultimas have already been ordered, Sunreef says, and the first Ultima 55 is in build. The Ultima range of hybrid-propulsion catamarans includes five models: 44, 55, 66, 77 and 88. Features on these Ultima catamarans are intended for greener cruising, with solar panels, energy-saving air conditioning, lighter-weight batteries for better efficiency, and water-saving taps and efficient watermakers.

Also part of the inaugural ceremony was a look at two of Sunreef’s electric yachts: the Athena Too powerboat, and the Marie Joseph, which is a Sunreef 80 Eco.

The celebration of Sunreef’s new shipyard was star-studded with dignitaries. Attendees included His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, along with former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa, and ambassador of Poland Jakub Slawek.

Learn more about the Sirena 42 Steel: go to sirenayachts.com/super-yachts

Learn more about the Sunreef Ultima lineup: go to sunreef-yachts-ultima.com/en/

The post New Shipyards for Sirena and Sunreef appeared first on Yachting.

Any yacht that’s built with a “solar skin” is bound to attract owners who have at least a few thoughts about the environment. Such is the case with Sunreef’s Power Eco series of catamarans. Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso recently took delivery of a 60 Power Eco, saying that sustainability considerations were fundamental to his vessel choice. The owner of the first 80 Power Eco, christened Sól, built the yacht entirely cruelty-free, including far more than avoiding animal-derived fabrics such as leather.

As just one example, there’s a composting machine on board Sól. It lets the chefs reduce trash by turning scraps into fertilizer for island farmers, who, in exchange, provide the yacht with locally grown microgreens. “This is definitely different,” says chef Sara Nelson. “I don’t know any other boat doing these things to the level that we’re doing them.”

The captain of Sól thinks about sustainability right down to the crew’s polishing tools for the hull. “You need woolies, but I had to go to the manufacturer to see if it was real wool or not,” Capt. Jack Gorman says. “These are synthetic wool. That’s what we’re going for. Everything down to the bottom paint is cruelty-free. Ablative bottom paints, if you put 20 gallons of that on your yacht, it sloughs off into the environment, and it’s bad for the reefs. We’re using a silicon base without biocides.”

The 80’s two rotating chefs trained in plant-based cooking with celebrity chef Matthew Kenney. Aboard Sól, they will prepare any type of food that guests prefer, but they are ready for charter clients who want all-vegan menus.

“Most people are reducers,” the 80’s owner says. “A small percentage of the world is vegan, but the majority of people have been looking for plant-based options—not necessarily three meals a day, but they will choose a plant-based dinner some percentage of their evenings.” Aboard Sól, he adds, “it’s delicious, exquisite, high-quality plant-based options.”

As their name implies, the Sunreef Power Eco yachts also have electric power. Sunreef has been adding energy-saving air-conditioning systems, along with custom battery banks that are lighter—and, therefore, can be bigger—than the types of batteries some other builders are testing.

The result is the kind of cruising and charter experience that appeals to people who are eager to make an eco-friendly turn. As Alonso puts it, “long, fume-free and quiet cruises let you enjoy the seas on a whole new level. This yacht has some amazing technology that cannot be found anywhere else.”

Take the next step: sunreef-yachts.com

The post Sunreef Power Eco Is A Think-Different Catamaran appeared first on Yachting.

Article At-A-Glance

• The 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be held Oct. 25-29.
• More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend FLIBS in 2023.
• More than 1,300 boats are typically on display for attendees to check out.
• Some yacht-builders with new-for-2023 models include Benetti, Azimut, Wally, Princess, Sirena, Sunseeker, Galeon, Sunreef, Maritimo, Aquila, Viking, Ocean Alexander and Rivera.

New Yachts from European Builders

Benetti and Azimut will be bringing their Italian-built yachts to the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, while the Ferretti Group’s Wally brand will be present with its Monaco-based flair. Benetti will display the 112-foot Oasis 34M Ubiquitous, while Azimut will be showing four models in the United States for the first time, and Wally will be featuring the wallywhy150.

Benetti Oasis 34M Ubiquitous

The Benetti Oasis 34M Ubiquitous is scheduled to make its US debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This is a 112-foot fiberglass motoryacht with exteriors by RWD in Britain and interiors by the New York firm Bonetti & Kozerski. The stern on Ubiquitous has Benetti’s Oasis Deck, which includes two wings that open to enlarge the space. An infinity pool is here as well, and the space adjoins the main-deck salon to give guests the option of sun-drenched or shaded spaces for relaxation.

Also at the show: Benetti will showcase the B.Yond 37M Never Say Never Again. It’s a 121-foot motoryacht from architect Stefano Righini with an E-Mode Hybrid system from Siemens Energy. The idea is to reduce harmful emissions while giving owners the option of four operating modes, including a fully electric mode for zero-emissions cruising.

Four New Yachts from Azimut

Azimut will have four yachts making their Americas premiere at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: the Verve 48 outboard, Magellano 60, Grande 36M and S7.

The Verve 48 outboard is a sport boat for weekends, designed in collaboration with Francesco Struglia. Its power is triple 600 hp Mercury outboards that promise a top speed of 50 knots. The stern has been updated from previous models; it now includes “the most extensive swim platform ever,” according to Azimut.

Crossover appeal is at the heart of the Magellano 60, with features intended for longer-distance cruising. For sustainability, the Azimut Magellano 60 can be delivered with HVOlution, a biofuel produced by Eni Sustainable Mobility. Azimut says this fuel, when combined with the shipyard’s semi-planing Dual Mode hull, can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 80 percent compared to yachts using traditional fuel.

With the Grande 36M, Azimut is showcasing a semi-walkaround upper deck that runs on the same level from the stern almost to the tip of the bow. The idea is to create an area that didn’t exist before on boats this size. Exterior design on the Azimut Grande 36M is by Alberto Mancini, with interiors by Achille Salvagni.

The Azimut S7 is a 72-foot yacht built with Volvo Penta IPS propulsion and a “super-lightweight” hull for a sporty ride. Azimut says the S7 also reduces fuel consumption and harmful emissions by as much as 30 percent compared to shaft-line boats with traditional chine hulls. Exteriors are by Alberto Mancini, with interiors by Yachtique.

wallywhy150

The wallywhy150 is also expected to be on display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, following its international debut at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival in France.

This 78-foot motoryacht can be ordered with triple Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines for a maximum speed of 23 knots. With the standard Volvo Penta IPS1200s, that figure is 21 knots. Exterior spaces include a completely open upper deck with dining, sunbathing and a shaded lounge. Inside, there’s sole-to-ceiling glass for great views, with a main-deck master stateroom as well as guest staterooms belowdecks. The yacht can be ordered with a VIP and two guest staterooms, or with twin VIPs.

New Yachts from the UK, Turkey, Poland, Australia and China

Princess Yachts and Sunseeker International, both in the United Kingdom, will have new yachts at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Also from overseas will be new models from the Turkish builder Sirena Yachts, Polish builders Sunreef and Galeon, Australian builders Maritimo and Riviera, and China-based Aquila Power Catamarans and Ocean Alexander.

Princess Yachts Y95

The Princess Yachts Y95 is the new flagship of the builder’s Y Class series, which features open-flybridge models 72 feet and larger. This 95-footer can reportedly achieve a top hop of 24 knots, thanks to the twin 2,000 hp MAN V-12 engines, and it has a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck that lets in extra natural light through skylights. Guests are accommodated in four belowdecks staterooms. Draft is 6 feet, 6 inches, making the Princess Y95 a yacht that allows for access to the world’s most beautiful harbors.

Sunseeker Ocean 182

The Sunseeker Ocean 182, which was also displayed at the Newport International Boat Show, is an 88-foot yacht that is the fifth model in the builder’s Ocean series. It has an enclosed, air-conditioned flybridge that is home to the only helm station on board. Power is a pair of 1,650 hp or 1,900 hp MAN V-12s, with the builder promising a top speed of 27 knots. At a cruise speed of 12 knots, range is reportedly 1,800 nautical miles. All the guest accommodations are belowdecks: an amidships, full-beam master along with four guest staterooms.

Sirena 78

Turkish builder Sirena Yachts is bringing the Sirena 78 to the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Its design is by Cor D. Rover and Germán Frers, with the builder reporting a top speed of 27 knots as well as a cruising range of 1,550 nautical miles. Some of the key design features include a versatile flybridge with customizable spaces and sizable guest accommodations.

The Superpowered Princess X80

Princess Yachts is also bringing its X80 explorer motoryacht to the Fort Lauderdale show. Along with 31-knot speed and four en suite staterooms, the X80 has what the builder calls a “super flybridge.” Princess says this deck is 30 percent bigger than other flybridges on similarly sized flybridge yachts. This space has four gathering areas, including two sun pads forward, a wet bar aft and an L-shaped settee with a dining table to port. The X80’s main deck is dedicated entirely to socializing, with an L-shaped settee accompanied by a dining table forward.

Galeon 450 HTC

The big premiere from Galeon Yachts at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show will be the Galeon 450 HTC. It’s a Tony Castro design that can be ordered with an optional hydraulic swim platform and an optional third stateroom for guests. The standard layout is two staterooms with two heads, including a full-beam master. This yacht has a 4-foot, 3-inch draft that allows it to access skinny waters in locations like the Bahamas. Power is a pair of 480 hp Volvo Penta D6 engines.

80 Sunreef Power Eco

Polish builder Sunreef Yachts will be making a big show of the first 80 Sunreef Power Eco, which has been christened SÓL (after the Norse sun goddess). Sunreef is heralding this vessel as the most advanced electric luxury catamaran in the world, with a “solar skin” built into the hull, and the biggest battery bank in its category of recreational yachts. Accommodations are for eight guests

Maritimo M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht

Maritimo’s M60 Flybridge Motor Yacht will make its US debut at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Its hull has a variable deadrise with a deep keel, sharp bow entry and flattened progression aft, all intended for comfortable and efficient offshore cruising. Standard power is twin 800 hp Volvo Penta D13s. Owners also can opt for 1,000 hp Volvo Pentas or 1,150 hp Scania Di16s.

Riviera 585 SUV: Does It All

Riviera says its multi-uses 585 SUV represents the “culmination of 10 years of evolution and the launch of more than 220 SUV yachts.” The yacht has three staterooms and three heads with a full-beam master amidships. In addition to its cruising, water-sports and angling flexibility, the 585 SUV is entertainment-centric with its sizable cockpit and semi-enclosed alfresco deck. Power is a pair of 900 hp Volvo Penta IPS1200s or 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS1350s. For flybridge enthusiasts, the builder is also debuting its 46 Sports Motor Yacht.

Aquila 47 Molokai

Built in China, the Aquila 47 Molokai is the latest model from Aquila Power Catamarans. It’s outfitted for offshore cruising and fishing, with an en suite stateroom that’s air-conditioned and a queen-size berth. The design and build are a collaboration of Sino Eagle Yachts and Peart Yacht Design.

Ocean Alexander 32 Legend: Crewed-Yacht Living

The Ocean Alexander 32 Legend is a 120-foot superyacht penned by Evan K. Marshall, notable for its sole-to-ceiling glass across three decks, allowing for ocean vista from most points on board. From its seaside beach club to its foredeck lounge, rest and relaxation is at the forefront of this yacht’s design. Off the cockpit, power doors slide away allowing guests to enter the open-plan salon, which benefits from the aforementioned glass, enabling light to flood the space. A formal dining space for 10 is forward in the salon. The sense of volume and openness is palpable. The 32L has a main-deck master suite as well as four guest staterooms belowdecks. This yacht also has a skylounge with a wet bar, a TV, an ice-maker and a refrigerator, expanding entertaining options. Other alfresco spaces include a hot tub aft on the upper deck and a foredeck with a sun pad. Power is twin 2,600 hp MTU diesels.

Riviera 46 Sports Motor Yacht

Riviera’s 46 Sports Motor Yacht is a part of a lineup that also includes 50, 64 and 72 Sports Motor Yachts. The Australian builder collaborated with 4D Designs on the 52-footer, which has a variety of entertaining spaces, from a semi-enclosed cockpit and the flybridge to the salon and foredeck sun pad. Belowdecks, there are three double-berth staterooms and two heads. Owners can also opt to add a hydraulic swim platform. Riviera has two power options for the 46: twin 725 hp Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950s or twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS 800s.

Built in the USA: Viking 90

The Viking 90 made its official debut earlier this year at the Miami International Boat Show, but Hull No. 1 is still on its premiere-year tour. It’s been turning anglers’ heads out on the fishing circuit, hauling in big catch. All expectations are that it will continue to impress show-goers at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Viking 90: Ultimate Fishability

The Viking 90 has a fuel capacity of 3,801 gallons in four tanks, which gives the yacht long legs for getting to and from the canyons to chase big game. It can be ordered with an enclosed or an open bridge, and it has a one-piece wraparound, enclosed-bridge windshield for improved visibility. The cockpit has 224 square feet of dance space with a 203-gallon fishbox/live well and a pair of 103-gallon insulated, in-deck fishboxes. Refrigeration on those fishboxes is optional. A Seakeeper 35 is installed to keep everything steady at sea, and the cockpit sole is built with reinforcement for a fighting chair.

Viking 90: Interior Creature Comforts

When the day’s fishing is done, the Viking 90 has six staterooms (including a full-beam master) and seven heads to let everyone relax in comfort. There’s a U-shaped lounge in the salon, along with a home theater that includes a 65-inch high-definition TV. For more casual snacks, the galley has engineered-stone countertops with an overhang and five bar stools, along with a dinette on an elevated platform for great views of the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are expected to attend the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

In 2022, there were more than 100,000 show-goers. All expectations for 2023 are for a show equal to or even bigger than last year’s.

How many brands will be on display at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

At least 1,000, according to show organizers. More than 1,300 boats will be part of the show.

Is there a VIP Experience available at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Yes. Participants have access to the Windward VIP Club with premium open bars and gourmet food. The VIP Experience also comes with complimentary water-taxi service for getting around the show’s seven locations.

What are the seven locations for the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

Show locations include the Broward County Convention Center, the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, the 17th Street Yacht Basin, Pier 66 Marina and the Superyacht Village at Pier 66 South.

Where can I sign up for updates about the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show?

The organizers are collecting email addresses for show updates at flibs.com

The post New Yachts to See at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show appeared first on Yachting.

Sunreef Yachts is preparing for the debut of the 80 Sunreef Power Eco at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The yacht, christened Sól, is built with what Sunreef says is “the industry’s biggest battery bank in the category of leisure crafts up to 24 meters.” That battery bank, in conjunction with solar panels that are built into the yacht itself (including on the hullsides), reportedly gives the 80 Sunreef Power Eco the ability to cruise for close to 300 nautical miles.

Sunreef will be displaying the 80 Sunreef Power Eco alongside the Sunreef 80, which is a sailing version of the catamaran that the yard says is one of its best-selling models.

Will the 80 Sunreef Power Eco Sól be available for charter? Yes. It’s part of the Regency fleet and will be heading to the Virgin Islands for the upcoming winter charter season, after the boat show in Fort Lauderdale.

Take the next step: Visit the Sunreef Yachts website at sunreef-yachts.com

The post 80 Sunreef Power Eco Ready to Debut appeared first on Yachting.

Sunreef Yachts says its research-and-development department is working on a Zero Cat: a sustainable sailing yacht that can convert methanol to hydrogen, combining with electric propulsion to create zero emissions and what the builder promises will be “unlimited autonomy.”

The Zero Cat will “measure above 90 feet,” according to Sunreef. It will also have a solar-power system with solar cells built into the body of the yacht.

Sunreef says the fuel-cell and solar-cell systems will provide energy for propulsion as well as hotel loads.

“Our goal is to revolutionize the industry by offering discerning customers an exceptional zero-emission sailing experience,” Nicolas Lapp, chief technology officer and co-founder of Sunreef, stated in a press release. “This project represents a milestone in our ongoing commitment to protecting our oceans and preserving the natural beauty of the sea.”

What else is new at Sunreef? In the past year, the builder also unveiled the Ultima, a range of hybrid power catamarans. The first models are the 45 Ultima and 55 Ultima.

Where to learn more: visit sunreef-yachts.com

The post Sunreef Is Working on a Zero Cat appeared first on Yachting.

Y.CO has welcomed the 78-foot Sunreef power catamaran Kokomo to the charter fleet, with bookings available in the South Pacific and Australasia at a lowest weekly base rate of $90,000. Inquiries are being accepted starting in August.

Kokomo is a 2021 build that accommodates eight guests in four staterooms. Maximum speed is 23 knots, and the yacht charters with four crew.

“The team on board are committed to offering an experience which leaves guests feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, with a focus on healthy living and wellness—be it through the clean cuisine the chef prepares, a tailored workout program with the gym equipment or hours of active fun on the water with the impressive selection of toys,” Fleur Tomlinson of Y.CO Charter Management stated in a press release. “The yacht is ready to charter immediately this season and is set to cruise around the lesser-explored parts of Fiji.”

Kokomo’s healthy-living concept is no joke: The yacht has a gym with a reformer, a rowing machine and free weights, and members of the crew include a qualified personal trainer and a sponsored foil-boarder.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at y.co

The post ‘Kokomo’ Joins the Y.CO Charter Fleet appeared first on Yachting.

Sunreef Yachts has launched the 80 Eco, an all-electric yacht with ultralight solar panels integrated into the hull sides, mast, superstructure and Bimini roof.

“We take a great step forward with this truly pioneering yacht,” Francis Lapp, founder and president of Sunreef Yachts, stated in a press release. “Renewable energy is the key element in the design of the Sunreef 80 Eco. Thanks to a revolutionary solar power system, hydro-generation and performance sails, the Sunreef 80 Eco provides full autonomy, relying on the sun, water and wind.”

The yacht’s wind-free propulsion comes from twin 180 kW electric engines. Under sail, the Sunreef 80 Eco recovers energy from the passive motion of the two propellers by way of a hydro-generation system.

Are other Sunreef Eco models available? Yes. The Eco line also includes a 50, 60, 70 and 100.

Take the next step: visit sunreef-yachts-eco.com

The post The Sunreef 80 Eco Has Launched appeared first on Yachting.

The powerboat drivers idle near their starting lines off Monaco, waiting for the signal to punch the throttles. But they’re different from those who have raced here since 1904: These nine boats are competing in the Solar Class at the 2021 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

Every July, the Monaco Yacht Club organizes this race, which features next-generation technologies. This year, after five days of competition—including a 16-nautical-mile-lap race, slalom racing and a championship race—the Dutch-flagged Sunflare solar team claimed top honors in the sun-powered class.

Is their boat’s top speed of about 29 knots going to break any world speed records? No. But the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is a harbinger of recreational boating’s not-so-distant future.

That future, of being carbon-free, has been a long time coming. German inventor Moritz von Jacobi created an early electric boat in 1839, a 24-footer that could carry 14 passengers at roughly 2.6 knots. In 1882, Anthony Reckenzaun, an Austria-born electrical engineer, built Electricity, a steel-hulled launch with onboard batteries that was considered one of the first “practical” electric vessels. Other innovations continued until circa 1910, when Ole Evinrude’s gasoline-fired outboards began their own revolution.

Now, a century later, electric yachts harness technologies such as solar panels, electric drivetrains, lightweight construction in carbon fiber, lithium-based batteries and, in some cases, hydrofoils. These boats’ performance, comfort and range can rival some traditionally powered yachts—and they are clean and quiet. Much like Teslas, they sometimes also come with memorable acceleration curves.

Contemporary electric boats range in size and complexity. There are displacement monohulls such as Zin Boat’s 20-foot Z2T and Z2R and X Shore’s 26-foot Eelex 8000. There are hydrofoilers such as the upcoming Navier 27 (see sidebar). There are also boats like those contesting the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, as well as bluewater cruisers with multiple hulls.

“The first advantage is space,” says Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent-Yachts. “Catamarans have more surface area, which benefits the number of solar panels that can be installed.”

Other advantages of multiple hulls in electric-boat design include increased form stability (no ballasted keels) and reduced drag. “This low resistance means they’re better suited for electric motoring, as they need a lot less energy to move than monohulls,” says Nicolas Lapp, Sunreef Yachts’ strategy consultant for research and development.

One key to reducing a yacht’s energy requirements involves reducing its displacement. “The lighter the yacht, the less energy is needed to move it,” Köhler says. “For this reason, our yachts are made of lightweight carbon fiber.”

While all of the yachts discussed in this article can be charged via shore-supplied AC power, cruisers typically want greater autonomy. To that end, Silent-Yachts and Sunreef Yachts use solar panels. The team at Silent-Yachts specs its panels from California-based SunPower, while Sunreef Yachts created the marine industry’s first flexible solar panels, which are flush-mounted on hulls, masts and superstructures.

Aesthetics matter in yachting, and not everyone wants to cruise aboard a solar farm. Here, Lapp sees an opportunity. “If you want sustainability to be cool and attract the attention of new generations, the appeal of the product is something you cannot neglect,” he says. “Seamless integration of the solar panels was a way for us to prove that sustainability [can] generate green power [and] cool looks.” (After all, no one buys a Tesla because it looks like a Chevy.)

While the Caribbean and Mediterranean are blessed with abundant lumens, other world-class cruising grounds—say, the Pacific Northwest—aren’t equally illuminated. Because of this, electric cruising yachts typically also include redundant systems to ensure that the navigation lights stay on without heading to a marina.

“Every Silent yacht is equipped with a backup generator,” Köhler says. “This makes sure you never run out of energy, even when facing longer periods of unfavorable weather conditions.”

Rainy-day alternatives can include other green-power solutions. Sunreef Yachts typically specs dual wind generators atop its yachts’ rooftops. However, Lapp is realistic about their capabilities.

“Wind turbines can only supply a small fraction of the energy that our solar panels can,” he says, explaining that, in the right conditions, Sunreef’s panels typically generate 40 times more juice than the turbines. “What’s nice about working with wind is that your generators work all the time.” That includes under navigation, at the dock and throughout the night.

Energy sources aside, these experts say that high-quality batteries offering high performance are critical. Larger-capacity battery banks ensure more power reserves, but adding them can affect a yacht’s performance.

“The weight of the battery banks is also an important factor, as it can reduce or increase the overall efficiency,” Köhler says.

Battery performance is also critical for electric-powered coastal craft. One example is X Shore’s Eelex 8000, which has a high-performance 225 kW electric motor and dual 63 kWh lithium-ion batteries that can be charged anywhere there’s a power socket, or supercharged using the same technology as electric cars.

“The batteries can be charged in five to eight hours with three-phase power plugs and one to two hours with superchargers,” says Elias Wästberg, X Shore’s project manager.

While superchargers don’t exist in the middle of oceans, builders of electric-powered bluewater boats have already done this math. Silent-Yachts says its power catamarans are built to offer transatlantic autonomy, but a lot depends on how the owner uses the boat to minimize energy consumption.

“During sunny conditions, a general rule of thumb is that cruising at 6 knots maintains a balance between consumption and production,” Köhler says. “This basically means unlimited range. …The main thing that owners can do to increase range is reduce speed and turn off any appliances.”

This begs the question: Do owners need to downshift their expectations for onboard comfort when going electric?

“There’s no need to make any sacrifices or closely monitor energy levels,” Lapp says. “A lot of energy saving is done automatically. For example, at night, the air-conditioning system focuses solely on selected areas and cabins. … It consumes 70 percent less energy than most systems.”

And should the battery banks get thirsty, there’s always the generator.

Cruising with zero emissions might be a selling point for some customers, but one need not squeeze trees to embrace yachting’s future. “Running costs and maintenance levels are much lower compared to regular-motor catamarans,” Köhler says.

Then, there are unquantifiable returns. “You get to enjoy the absolute luxury of cruising in total silence and without disturbing the marine life around you,” Lapp says, adding that this experience helps owners create “better connections with the environment.”

Finally, there can also be the grin factor. “The Eelex 8000 can accelerate from 0 to 20 knots in 4.2 seconds,” Wästberg says. “The software captures 150 data points every second, allowing for real-time analytics of battery and engine performance, including temperature, humidity, pressure, location and the craft’s system status.”

While electric yachts boast some impressive capabilities, free lunches are unicorns. Electric yachts don’t emit carbon dioxide, but their carbon footprint likely deepens with stem-to-stern life-cycle assessments of their photovoltaic panels, carbon-fiber hulls and lithium-based batteries. Then there’s the inconvenient financial truth that all batteries have a finite number of charge cycles and eventually need refitting. Also, for now, diesel mechanics greatly outnumber certified electric-boat technicians, especially in remote locales.

Still, few people gifted with foresight would have bet against Evinrude’s outboards in the early 20th century. The same holds true for today’s electric boats. One only has to look at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge to realize that some of the brightest minds in the marine and technology fields are committed to a carbon-free future.

Couple this trend with the fact that electric yachts are already providing better performance and compromise-free cruising, and yachting’s future is looking bright (green).  

Navier 27

Navier Boats teamed up with Paul Bieker, an America’s Cup-winning naval architect and hydrofoil expert, to create the Navier 27. It delivers 30-plus-knot top speeds or a 75-nautical-mile range at slower speeds. While impressive, hydrofoils require active control, which is a crux that Navier solved by creating an autonomous foil-control system.

Sunreef 100 Eco

It’s one thing to build a solar-powered vessel for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge; it’s a different challenge to build an electric 100-footer that can accommodate 12 guests and five crewmembers. The Sunreef 100 Eco’s flexible solar panels mean this cat can accommodate 2,610 square feet of solar-farm space and generate up to 46 kilowatts per hour of DC power, which should keep its high-performance lithium-ion batteries topped off. 

Hands on the Helm

While the Navier 27 will initially require human hands on its helm, down-the-road software releases are expected to enable autonomous driving.

Panel Planners

While photovoltaic panels can be fitted to any yacht, catamarans present themselves as an ideal platform, given their beam and broader coach-roof space.

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