Owners, charter companies and shipyards have all started pulling together to reduce yachting’s carbon footprint, and some of the results have been spectacular. Here are some of the yachts making a positive impact on the world around us.
The reward of being on a yacht at sea is being immersed in nature at its finest. That wonderful freedom we fell comes with a responsibility though – we all need to look after the waters we share, for the benefit of everyone’s future enjoyment.
Sunreef 50 Eco
The first 50ft charter catamaran to run solely on electrical power, the Sunreef 50 Eco sets a new standard for seamless yachting. 130m² of sail area, and two powerful 35kW electric motors help it run silent and smooth over the Adriatic Sea. You could run the AC all night just on the batteries! A brilliant, innovative option for a fantastic charter that leaves very little trace.
Silent 55
The Silent 55 is a true leap forward in solar-powered motor yacht design. The Silent 55 is a true leap forward in solar-powered motor yacht design. 100% solar powered, these ingenious yachts are reliable, comfortable, and tread lightly on the planet. The entry-level model features two 50kW electric motors, with a top speed of 14 knots and cruising speed of 8 knots, while the top-end model offers a pair of 250kW motors for a top speed of 20 knots. For extra green propulsion, all versions are available with a towing kite, which generates up to 10x more power per square metre than a conventional sail. Because they are powered by the sun’s rays, they have a theoretically limitless cruising range, with 8 years’ warranty on the battery banks, and solar panels that last 25 years. This is the ultimate way to cruise noiselessly through the sparkling Mediterranean.
Sunreef 60 Eco, E (2019)
Powered solely by clean energy, this sleek and clever adaptation of Sunreef’s best selling 60ft catamaran is driven by a high-powered electric propulsion system. E has recyclable performance sails, a smart energy management system, and is even built from reclaimed and recycled materials. Her flybridge roof is a huge solar panel. E uses self-generated power from solar panels and hydrogeneration from the propeller rotations when sailing. A pair of 55kW electric engines generate energy from the wind while the yacht is sailing, charging the 140 kWh propulsion battery bank, which provides for up to 6 hours of cruising on engine. A 16 kWh battery bank provides all the clean energy power she could ever need to keep her systems running. As Sunreef say, their electric propulsion systems “combine fuel savings, low-maintenance and ultra-silent operation.” Available for crewed charters in the Mediterranean in summer and Caribbean in the winter.
Black Pearl
Black Pearl is a stunning example of what a yacht can be capable of. This 106m ‘zero impact’ sailing yacht was built in 2016 and designed way ahead of its time. One of the world’s largest sailing yachts, she leads a step change in ecological yachting. Designed to conserve every last ounce of energy, Black Pearl features propellers that act as water turbines, along with black DynaRig sails that include solar panels. These sources are enough to power all of the interior needs, from lighting to AC and beyond. Reusable water bottles dramatically cut the amount of plastic waste on board.
