Multihulls Today, Summer 2022

AMERICA’S PREMIER MULTIHULL MAGAZINE

MULTIHULLS TODAY CATAMARAN RENDEZVOUS IN THE ABACOS, BAHAMAS

SILENT YACHTS EXPLORED

ELECTRIC-POWERED MULTIHULLS SHOCK THE CRUISING WORLD summer, 2022

MULTIHULLS TODAY summer 2022

MULTIHULLS TODAY

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

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ON PASSAGE An Element of Risk and an

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Uncertain Outcome

ON THE LEVEL NEEL 52 Cruising Trimaran SamBoat: Boat Leasing

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MULTIHULL ENTHUSIAST The Remarkable Silent Yachts Story

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GONE CRUISING Catamaran Guru Hosts Catamaran Rendezvous in the Abacos, Bahamas

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MULTIHULL ENTHUSIAST Electric-Powered Multihulls Shock the Cruising World

2 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

The Rise of Electric Propulsion THIS IS OUR “ELECTRIC ISSUE” AND FEATURES a good sampling of the electric powered multihulls on the market and a in-depth interview with the founder and President of Silent Yachts, a true leader in the field.

What has made this electric propulsion revolution possible is the advancements made in both solar panel technology and availability and the development of high capacity but lightweight lithium batteries. It is interesting that solar panel efficiency has improved only by small percentages year over year, while battery performance has moved ahead by leaps and bounds.

Lithium batteries are still somewhat controversial since there have been several well-publicized incidents of yachts burning when the lithium battery banks overheated and caught fire. This is no small matter and insurance companies are still wary of the risk. For many insurers, a lithium battery bank needs to be installed by certified marine electricians and built to ABYC standards. DYI installations are frowned upon.

One of the issues with the possibility of a battery fire on a boat, albeit a slim one, is fire mitigation. Most of us carry CO2 fire extinguishers and some boats have built-in Haylon fire suppression systems. Both may help with a small fire, but if the battery bank actually catches fire, almost nothing is going to put it out. But, foam, ABC dry chemical, graphite and sodiuim carbonite extinguishers may mitigate a fire at a very early stage and are worth carrying aboard.

So, if you are a multihull owner and looking for ways to get weight out of your fast, light cruising boat, lithium batteries are a very attractive alternative to heavy lead acid batteries. But, before you leap, consult experts, talk with your boat yard to see if they can meet ABYC standards and call your insurance company. They all will have valuable input.

4 Multihulls Today • Volume 12, winter

MULTIHULLS TODAY

Editor and Publisher George Day Ph: 401-847-7612 Fax: 401-845-8580 george@bwsailing.com Contributing Editors

Bill Biewenga Rebecca Childress John Neal

Sandy Parks Art Director Ph: 401-847-7612 Fax: 401-845-8580 sandy@bwsailing.com Advertising Sales & Tom Casey Marketing Consultant tomcat911@comcast.net

MT-Multihulls Today is published by Blue Water Sailing LLC in February, May, August and November. Copyrighted 2022. All rights reserved.

Reprinting, photocopying and excerpting passages is forbidden except by permission of the publisher.

Blue Water Sailing ISSN: 1091-1979

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The new NEEL 52 sailing trimaran is a brandnew concept by famed French designer Marc Lombard, who is also responsible for the NEEL 43 and NEEL 47 designs.

The new NEEL 52 multihull is replacing the highly successful NEEL 51 cruising yacht of which over 40 units have been crafted. The NEEL 52 trimaran has some dynamic improvements in her hull design. Her central hull embodies a deep rocker (for quick maneuvers and great load bearing) yet her fine and long

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WE RECENTLY HEARD FROM Sarah Briquet, the new Country Manager for SamBoat USA, who shared the news that she and SamBoat were setting up shop in North America, with headquarters in Florida.

SamBoat is already well established outside North America with operations in 76 countries. They have more than 50,000 sailboats, catamarans and motorboat as in their listings and can service customers in more than 1,400 locations. North America is their next big target.

SamBoat works just like Air B-n-B or VRBO. It is a peer-to-peer rental service that connects people who have boats they want to rent out with people looking for just that activity. Boats range in size and type

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on thelevel and you will not be surprised that many of them are motor boats. Yet, SamBoat does have a range of cruising sailboats and multihulls that will be of interest to Multihulls Today readers. And, they have them in locations that iinlcude some of the world’s favorite cruising grounds.

SamBoat is a subsidiary of Groupe Beneteau so it already has an extensive network of owners and dealers in the US and Canada. The plan is to tap into this family of Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Excess, Swift Trawler and Prestige owners to create the rental inventory that will make it attractive for customers seeking a proper cruising boat.

As the company rolls out their business model, they are beginning in Florida where there is year-round boating and cruising and a large inventory of boats to draw on. Right now, there are dozens

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of boats in Florida to rent and MT readers will find that there are a great sampling of name-brand multihulls to choose from.

For boat owners, listing their boats with SamBoat can lead to a new source of revenue to offset the costs of owning and running their boats. And, it may even create some interesting tax opportunities.

Is this the future of boat ownership and boating in North America? Considering that SamBoat gets more than 300,000 requests for rentals every year, the huge North American market indicates that many of will choose to rent rather than buy their next boat.

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Catamaran Guru Hosts Catamaran Rendezvous in the Abacos, Bahamas

ON MAY 15, 27 CATAMARANS AND 104 skippers and crew convened on Hope Town, Abacos, The Bahamas, for the 2022 Catamaran Guru annual Rendezvous. This was the first such get together since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, so the participants were eager to get the party started. The event is the brainchild of Steven 14 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

and Estelle Cockcroft, founders of Catamaran Guru, and it is intended for their catamaran customers and friends to have fun in these beautiful islands and gain confidence sailing, anchoring, cruising and even racing aboard their boats.

Part of the party is the presence of sponsors like North Sails, Cruise

Abaco Charters, Sands Beer and others who not only provided gifts and other support but also aided the crew with helpful instruction, guidance and the fruits of their long sailing experience.

In a Zoom meeting with Estelle and Steven after the event, Estelle said, “About half of our catamaran customers are new to boat owning and cruising. We created the Abacos Rendezvous with the intention of helping our customers and friends have more fun on their boats and to stretch their cruising horizons.

Plus, it’s all a lot of fun.”

For the Cockrofts, their rendezvous begins in Florida where they group together boats that are crossing over to the Bahamas for the event into a flotilla that they

can help with the Gulf Stream crossing, making landfall and then processing through Customs and Immigration.

gonecruising

“The flotilla helps us and our fleet with some of the new aspects of cruising,” Estell said. “Crossing the Gulf Stream is a big step and it is good to have the company of seasoned catamaran cruisers and passagemakers like us to lead the way.”

After a landfall at West End, the flotilla checked in the Bahamas at Spanish Cay. The process is easy and convenient and Estelle noted that “we love the locals here and 16 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

they make it all so easy.”

From Spanish Cay the flotilla sailed to Treasure Cay, Guana Cay and then finally to Elbow Cay and Hope Town.

On May 14 and 15, the remaining boats joining the rendezvous gathered in Hope Town and the party got started. With 27 catamarans from nine different cat builders, the fleet was truly impressive. The first evening was

the “Pink Party” at the Hideaway Pool in the Hope Town Marina. The theme was to wear pink garb and decorations in honor of the party’s sponsor and host Bali Catamarans.

Despite the rain and squally weather, the party went ahead and there’s nothing quite like getting pink to lower the gang’s inhibitions.

weather continued to be squally and the schedule had to be rejiggered to make the fun events possible. In the meantime, the gang was introduced to the Catamaran Guru’s special tropic beverage known as Hooligan Juice. After some delay and much hilarity, the coconut toss contest proceeded.

The next day the fleet migrated to Tahiti Beach on Elbow Cay for the coconut tossing contest and the famous “Rumbrella Race.” The

The big event of the day was the Rumbrella Race. Every year Lagoon Catamarans donates the turquoise umbrellas that we all see www.MultihullsToday.com 17

gonecruising

at their stands at boat shows to the rendezvous. These are then used as Mary Poppins-style sails by the crews of each boat in a sailing race aboard their SUPs, inflatable rafts, blow-up swimming toys like ducks and swans and even water wings.

The competition was light-hearted and everyone was primed to have a great time.

the 5 to 7 knots of following breeze.

The race was sponsored by North Sails and that provided an opportunity for North’s Bob Meagher to join the race in a motorboat so he could coach the crews on sail trim, sailing angles and tactics. It was a fun learning experience for all and a chance for the crews to get a taste of Day three was time for the big organized competition. Not all the Rendezvous Regatta, a race of boats finished but everyone had a some 12 miles from Elbow Cay to great time.

Guana Cay. While most of the crews were new to racing and few were Estelle wanted to give a big shoutcomfortable flying their spinnakers, out to Rendezvous sponsor Sands the fleet got underway in a timely Beer. “The local brewery had fashion and ghosted downwind in promised a case of beer to the 18 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

regatta’s winning boat,” she said.

“But in the end, they donated that case plus a six pack to every race participant. They were very generous.”

On the fourth day, the fleet migrated to Green Turtle Cay where the cats all anchored off the beach at the Tranquil Turtle Beach Bar. This was a day of knowledge sharing. Aboard Estelle and Steven’s Bali 5.4, Bob Meagher offered tips on sail trim, spinnaker flying and seamanship.

Steven and Estelle launched their life raft so the crews could actually see what happens when it is deploys. Then, everyone jumped into the water to see how easy or

difficult it would be a climb into a raft in an emergency.

The final evening, the crews had a dinner and prize giving the Tranquil Turtle flowed by music and a bonfire on the beach. All in all, the 2022 Catamaran Rendezvous in the Abacos was a huge success for the 27 boats and 104 participants. After a two-year Covid haitus, everyone was glad to back together and once again enjoy the cat cruising life.

You can read more about the rendezvous, see more pictures and watch videos of the event by clicking here.

onpassage

An Element of Risk and an Uncertain Outcome

Part 3: New Age Piracy A delivery from South Africa to the Persian Gulf takes them up the Indian Ocean and through pirate infested waters

by Bill Biewenga

The mysteries of the Indian Ocean’s Maldives and Chagos Bank would have to remain veiled behind the horizon. Monish, Nirvana’s owner, would not be able to rejoin us in Mauritius. Lia Ditton and I would be taking the 48-foot Gunboat catamaran ourselves past reported pirate incidents and up to the Gulf of Oman, 3,400 miles away, for the final approach to the Straits of Hormuz and Dubai. Together, we would be immersed in geo-political current events.

to forego that sort of notoriety for ourselves.

Friends of ours suggested filing float plans, but no one seemed to know who to file them with or how effective that would be as we changed our course and heading with the changes in the weather. One U.S. Admiral suggested we turn around and go back to South Africa. I had to wonder whether that was how the U.S. Navy conducted its business when things became difficult, or if it was just being suggested to Valerie Schaeublin from the Bureau me as we attempted to deliver a of Diplomatic Security, part of the boat to the Middle East for its owner.

U.S. Department of State had told us of piracy incidents that had taken Another friend, a man who owns a place off Mauritius and the Sey- shipping fleet of bulk carriers, came chelles. Global news would soon to the rescue when he passed bring unwanted fame to a British along the advice offered to his own couple who had been kidnapped ships’ captains: Contact the Mariby pirates off the Seychelles and time Security Centre for the Horn taken to Africa. Lia and I preferred of Africa. It was suggested that we 20 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

should track east of 67 degrees East as we sailed north in the Indian Ocean. It is also now suggested that mariners check contact information prior to departure. At that time, it was too late for that particular preparation, however. Whether or not that would be good enough to get us past the piracy problems was anyone’s guess, as the reported incidents of piracy crept further and further to the east.

in from friends ashore, we had to wonder whether it would do any good as a means of keeping us out of harm’s way. We decided to be as discreet as possible as we sailed north. There were to be no radio transmissions, radar transmissions or running lights used at night unless we saw ships coming up on our AIS and were reassured that they were legitimate ships. Meanwhile, the two of us kept a very sharp lookout, especially at night when we knew After contacting the UKMTO and that we’d be difficult for other, legal the Piracy Reporting Centre, we vessels to see. were instructed to file daily position reports with the UKMTO. If we I can’t really promote the idea of encountered any suspicious prob- sailing without running lights. It flies lems, we were to immediately con- in the face of responsible and pertact the Piracy Reporting Centre haps even legal sailing. However, on their 24-hour hotline (+603 2031 when we were informed that there 0014), and they would direct the had been a piracy incident only necessary and appropriate author- 60 miles to our west, that reality ities to our location. struck a chord. We weren’t interested in any side trips to Somalia.

It was reassuring to know that Being unarmed, discretion seemed someone out there was able to fol- the better part of valor. The Piracy low our progress and perhaps call Reporting Centre’s hotline number in the authorities if necessary. But was put in the speed dialer on the even with daily position reports Iridium phone, and the EPIRBs were going out from us and frequent tested again and kept handy. Lia piracy “situation reports” coming and I discussed who would do what www.MultihullsToday.com 21

onpassage

in the event that a boarding was attempted: I’d drive and change sails. She’d be busy making phone calls with our current position, speed and heading.

Amidst the drama, there was still a sense of humor while we took our precautions seriously. Lia, being the linguist in the group, learned to say, “Please take off your shoes.” and “Would you like a cup of coffee?” in Somali. I suggested that in the event of a boarding, she might want to hide one of the EPIRBs under her burkha, although I’m not sure if that was really part of her wardrobe.

We worked our way further to the north. Still undecided about where to pick up Monish for the final stretch into Dubai, friends sent us information about Customs clearance into Oman and various Emirates in the UAE. Since each Emirate has different laws regarding Customs and Immigration, it wasn’t as simplistic as one might think.

And since there were unmarked rocks within a few hundred yards of the harbor’s entrance, a very good case could be made for a daylight approach – or local guidance. Monish arranged to meet us in Fujairah on the eastern coast of the UAE shortly after dusk with a 22 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

small power boat and a group of men who would guide us into the port.

After three weeks at sea, Lia and I were ready to make landfall. The sailing and sunshine had been beautiful. As engineer onboard the boat, Lia had done a spectacular job dealing with the various maintenance issues and putting things back together if they failed.

As someone to sail with through a wide variety of problems and situations, she definitely set a high-water mark of excellence. But it was getting to be time to make landfall, and I doubted that she would miss my mashed potatoes or pasta al pesto.

The people in Fujairah proved to be exceptionally helpful and friendly. Clearing customs was made easy by the people who ran the marina. The facilities were modern, and we managed to find a little time to go through the souk down the street. It certainly seemed like a place to return to.

But it was only going to be an overnight stay, and the morning saw us depart for the overnight passage through the Straits of Hormuz, bordered on the north by Iran and on the south by Oman and the UAE.

As night fell, we could see the shipping lanes to our starboard, with its steady stream of tankers. To port, the mountains of Oman loomed through the dusty, moonlit haze.

We worked our way between a few islands and anchored ships, staying well to the south of the shipping lanes. We had already dealt with the threat of pirates. We didn’t care to make a visit to Iran, considering some of the threats emanating from fundamentalists there. We later found out that the night we went through the Straits of Hormuz, hugging the Omani coast, another sailboat, closer to the other coastline and crewed by five British sailors, was pulled over and arrested by the Iranian navy.

Our final approach to Dubai was made infinitely easier with Monish’s help. The Palm Islands off of Dubai’s coast were in the process of being manmade, and they’re not always marked on the charts. But the trip down the coast had been beautiful as night fell and the sandy dust settled.

Lights from the buildings lit the harbor and surrounded the small basin in which we were able to anchor, just outside the

Dubai marina. Nirvana was home at last, and I could catch the night flight to my own home in Newport, RI ready to start the next adventure.

It’s unlikely that’ll it’ll be as magical or as fraught with risk as this last on.

Bill Biewenga has sailed more than 400,00 miles offshore. He is a delivery skipper, offshore navigator, weather router and moderator for the US Sailing Safety at Sea Seminars. When not at sea, he lives on Cape Cod, MA.

The Remarkable Silent Yachts Story Last spring, Multihulls Today had a long Zoom interview with Michael Kohler, founder and president of Silent Yachts, the builder of the unique solar powered, electric driven cruising catamarans. Many years in development, the Silent Yachts systems have proven extremely reliable, efficient and eco-friendly.

24 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

The company builds seven models from 60 to 120 feet in three factories around the world. In 2022 they are introducing a diesel-electric hybrid design called the VisionF 82. You can visit the Silent Yachts website here.

Multihulls Today: How did the concepts behind Silent Yachts all-electric cruising boats come about?

Michael Kohler: In 2006, we decided to explore the feasibility of designing a cruising catamaran that was all electric and powered only by natural energy sources, solar and wind. We built the boat and equipped it with everything that a cruising family would need to be comfortable in their floating home.

We put on an electric stove and oven, a dishwasher and washing machine. We put on a fridge and freezer and a watermaker and then we tested it with both wind generators and solar. Over the course of a voyage from Europe to the Caribbean and back, we learned a lot about actual performance and learned that wind power was superior to solar on only a very few days a month. In the end you always have a schedule, so if the wind is not coming from the right direction, we and most sailors turn on what we call the

“iron genoa” – the engine. In the end, over the course of five years, we measured the time spent sailing and motoring and discovered that it was more favorable to focus on motors instead of sails. Based on what we learned over that time, we began building a new 46 with an all-electric drive train and solar panels to charge the battery banks.

We equipped the 46 with all of the electric appliances we put on the first boat. We then tested the 46 for another four years before deciding to put it into production.

MT: Can you tell us something about the all-electric, solar panel driven power train?

MK: in fact it is quite simple. We did not have to reinvent the technology. Electric motors , gensets and solar panels are all available on the market. The thing that was unique to Silent Yachts, was the hybrid technology. We are able to charge the batteries mainly with solar but we have a www.MultihullsToday.com 25

multihullenthusiast

MT: I was aboard the Silent 60 in Cannes and was impressed by the control panel and software you use to track battery condition and the performance of the whole integrated system.

Is that unique to Silent Yachts?

MK: Yes, we created our own proprietary software based on our many years of experience and testing. This is in fact the secret thing that makes the whole system work so well. In fact, integrating all of the pieces so they work together well is not so easy. If it was, many others would have done it. The solar panels and batteries, the generator and inverters, the motors and the drive train all have to talk to each other.

At least, you need this software to do this in a professional way. For use by regular cruisers, the system needs to be safe, reliable and easy.

So, all of the components need to speak a common language and work together. So, this is the software that we developed and what makes Silent Yacht unique.

generator as a back up in case we need it. And, also, we can charge the batteries in a marina with the power cords. The unique aspect of this is that we have connected all of the power source and all of the appliances and electronics in a way that works. There are many boats with parallel hybrid systems with both a diesel drive and an electric motor working on the same shaft. Large vessels like cruise ships and war ships, often are dieselelectric hybrids but do not have the diesel connected to the shaft, only the electric motors. This is for noise reasons since it is possible to cut down on vibration and noise. The thing that unique about our drive train is that we combine everything in one system, solar, generator, MT: Over the many years that you batteries and electric motors. have been developing your solar 26 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

based electric power train, have shouldn’t do to batteries, like fast you seen a big increase in the charging and deep discharges, trying to get them hot and create output from solar panels? an emergency shut-off situation, MK: No, we have not. Thirteen we found that the lithium batteries years ago, when we developed worked very well. We removed the the first 46, solar panel efficiency lead-acid batteries and installed a was at about 20%. Three years later second lithium battery bank and we were at 21%. Until about three these are still the batteries that are years ago, we were at 22% and on the boat. today we are at 23%.

MT: Shifting gears, you now have MT: Batteries on the other hand have three factories building your boats, seen quite a lot of development one in Turkey, one in Thailand and and improvement, don’t you think? the home plant in Italy.

MK: Yes, this is indeed the case.

MK: Well, we have had to expand With solar panels you can say they to meet the demand for our boats improve by one percent every five and deliver them in a reasonable years. But with batteries, it is much time. In Thailand, they can only quicker. We started using lithium build two or three boats a year. In batteries in 2012 in combination Italy, we can build up to 20 boats with lead-acid batteries. We kept a year, depending on the size and the lead acid because lithium was model. But this is still not enough. We brand new and we had no data on are also working with a large Turkish performance and reliability over shipyard that is now building boats the long term. The lithium bank exclusively for us because demand weighed 75 kilos and had 10 kilowatt hours of capacity. The lead acid bank was much larger and weighed one ton and had the same capacity, but was about 12 times heavier than the lithium bank.

After one season of hard testing in which we did a lot of things you really

multihullenthusiast

is so great. They are much bigger than our Italian production so we can really ramp up the number of boats and still make reasonable delivery times.

time boat buyers and the other half are evenly mixed between sailors and motorboaters.

MT: You have a charter operation in Majorca, Spain. How does that fit MT: Your boats are pretty unique into your business model? in the marketplace. What are your MK: Yes, the main reason for that customers like? is to have a way to introduce MK: You know, 50% of buyers are first time boat owners and it is interesting that each of them has the same reason for wanting a Silent Yacht. They all say that they have wanted to go on a yacht but they can’t sail, did not want to learn to sail and did not want to cope with the hassles of running a sailing boat. On the other hand, for these buyers owning a motorboat was not an option because of noise and fumes and vibrations and also because of the environment. So, motorboats were never an option.

So, when they learned about Silent Yacht’s propulsion system and the rest that we deliver, they said yes, it is time for me to start boating and cruising.

prospective buyers to the Silent Yachts experience. Our goal is to give everybody the opportunity to sail such a yacht, but not just for a few hours but for days and weeks so they can see how it really performs.

How does it work? Are we pulling a raft behind with a generator on it? Or, do we have a long power cable running to shore? People want to understand how it works.

Are there any restrictions? Do they have to switch off the lights and are they allowed to use appliances?

Are they going to be able to flush the toilet because that will cost power? They soon discover that life aboard is exactly the opposite.

We use electricity more freely on the boat than we do at home. At MT: Your vision was remarkable to home, I always turn out the lights see that the market for these boats when I leave a room but on the was there. Have you seen many boat I don’t because I don’t care.

Tomorrow the batteries will be full sailors buy your boats? anyway.

MK: Yes, some, but less than I would MT: We see that you are initiating have expected. So, 50% are first a Silent Yachts resort experience.

28 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

Can you tell us more about that?

MK: Yes, the resorts project fits very neatly into our system because there is no reason, especially on islands, to rely on diesel generators.

In real life, these noisy generators need barrels of oil and they pollute not only the air but also the soil. In a resort like this, our Silent system can work in the same way it does on our boats, with solar, batteries, a backup small diesel generator, and an electric generator. The diesel generator will only run after three or four days of terrible overcast and stormy weather. They may have to run the diesel generator a handful of times a year so pollution, noise and inconvenience is minimized.

Our goal is to use sustainable energy as much as possible and reduce unsustainable energy to an absolute minimum.

Bahamas. Are there others in the works?

MK: Yes, the Bahamas project is already under construction. We also have projects in Central America and Greece and there are several more in discussion, including a large project in Fiji.

MT: You are an international company. What are your plans for North America?

MK: North America is a very important region for Silent Yachts.

We have a wonderful distributor, Ed Sacks, who is 88 years old and is doing a terrific job and selling a lot of boats. This spring we delivered a new Silent 60 to the U.S. and ran numerous sea trials for prospective buyers and the marine press. Ed is doing a great job.

MT: Many thanks, Michael. We look forward to seeing you at the next MT: Your first resort project is in the boat show.

www.MultihullsToday.com 29

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Electric-Powered Multihulls Shock the Cruising World

Quiet, long-range and no carbon footprint, these modern electric-powered multihulls are leading the way to an energy-efficient future by Peter Janssen made 50-, 60- and 90-foot electric yachts, including an Ocean Eco 60 ALVA Yachts, the new German Explorer with a flybridge. builder, just introduced its new Ocean Eco 60 Coupe, an electricsolar cruiser with a low profile and The new 60 Coupe is a lower-protransatlantic range. ALVA Yachts file version of that boat. It is schedwas started in 2020 by Mathias May uled to start production later this and Holger Henn, veterans of Pica year. The 60 Coupe is driven by two Yachts, where they made more 250kW electric motors with power than 40 all-electric sail and power from a 150-280kWh battery pack. boats. ALVA, in turn, has already An 861-square-foot solar panel arALVA OCEAN ECO 60

30 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

ray on the roof produces 18kW. The table and chairs. In the salon, two cat also carries two diesel gensets chairs face the helm on the port that produce 2x100kW/DC each. side, with a large, angled sofa to port. The galley is aft, to port, with a bar and then a table seating eight The new ALVA can cruise all day at to starboard.

4.5 knots when the sun is out, without running the gensets. Using the gensets with solar power and fully You can order the 60 Coupe in a charged batteries, the yacht has a charter version or owner’s version, range of 2,800 nm. At a dock, shore where the master stateroom with power can replenish the batteries a sitting room and head take up at a rate of 88kW. Top speed is 20 entire starboard hull. Three other knots. staterooms, including a large VIP forward, are on the port side, all with en suite heads. Read more With a massive beam of 33‘4”, more than half the boat’s length, CANDELA C-8 FOILER the 60 Coupe has lounging and entertaining space all around. The Candela, the innovative Swedish foredeck has two L-shaped settees builder, says it’s at the iPhone-like tipwith tables set far apart; you could ping point for revolutionizing boathave a crowd up there. Aft, the ing with its brand-new, all-electric open aft deck has a settee with a C-8 foiling craft. After 16 months of

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development, Candela just tested the first C-8 at its headquarters in Stockholm and the company says it is now ready to start production.

The C-8 foils at 16 knots, leaving no wake, noise or emissions behind. At 24 knots, the boat has a range of 50 nm. Top speed is 30 knots.Candela is expanding and moving to a new factory in May. It plans to produce 400 boats a year by 2024. The C-8 will cost about $330,000.

a counterrotating propeller, and weighs just 110 pounds. The company says they require no maintenance for 3,000 hours. Charging time is two hours with three-phase charging.

The C-8 is designed as a comfortable day boat or weekender. It has a V-berth and a head below, and seats for eight people on deck, with a large sunbed aft. The company says it provides a smooth ride, with The C-8 is the mass production ver- no pounding, even in rough seas. sion of the C-7 prototype that Candela launched in 2019, with refined hydrofoil technology and flight- You can order it as an open cruiser control software. Candela has al- or with a hardtop and sunroof. Facready received more than 100 or- tory options include a cooler, freshders for the C-8 since it introduced water shower, radar and searchlights. the concept last fall.

The boat has a 44kW lithium-ion Specs.: LOA: 27’8”; Beam: 8’’2”; battery and two of the company’s Draft: (foils retracted) 1’6”, (foiling) 55kW C-pod drives; each one drives 2’6”; Disp.: NA; Fuel: NA; Water: NA; 32 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

Power: 2x55kW Candela C-Pod The entire deck on the 72 is devoted to living space, with three, four drives. Read more or even six staterooms below. The 72 is fuel-efficient, since three narLEEN 72 row hulls generate less resistance Leen Trimarans is putting the final than a beamy monohull or most touches on its new flagship 72 in its catamarans. factory in New Rochelle, France. It plans to sea trial the massive tri in Although Leen introduced its first the next few weeks, and then demodel, a 56, just last year, the comliver it to its American owner in time pany has extensive experience for the Annapolis power boat show with trimarans. Leen is the power in October. version of Neel sailing trimarans, just spelled backward.

The Leen 72 is meant to be a fuelefficient, stable, long-range exIn a four-cabin layout, the master plorer yacht. The trimaran design stateroom with its en suite head are has the main 330-hp Cummins on the forward part of the trimaran’s diesel in the center hull, with an middle hull. A double cabin is fitted electric motor is each outer hull. on the back part of that hull, and The two electric motors help with an outer double cabin is in each low-speed maneuvering and proside hull; all the cabins have en vide silent running with no emissuite heads. sions when entering or leaving a port. They also provide backups in case the main diesel has a In a three-cabin version, a garage problem. fills the aft space in the main hull where a double cabin was in the four-cabin version.

You can order the 72 with power ranging from a 300-hp to 500-hp main engine. Hybrid and solar instal- The main hull is all on one level, lations are options. With the standard from the cockpit all the way for330-hp Cummins, top speed is is ex- ward, with a luxurious salon and pected to be about 18 knots with a galley. Up top, the wheelhouse has range of about 500 nm. a large U-shaped sofa, a TV, desk www.MultihullsToday.com 33

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and a helm station for two people. lounge area that is not present on A door provides access to the main the SILENT cat. The salon and aft dining area will still be large and deck for docking. luxurious, with lots of room for relaxing and entertaining.

Specs.: LOA: 72’0”; Beam: 29’0”; Draft: 4’5”; Disp.: 64,000 lbs.; Fuel: 1,320 gals.; Water: 264 gals.; Power: The hull and superstructure will be 330-hp Cummins diesel. Read more built with aluminum, which offers more flexibility for the layout. The

SILENT VISION F 82 SILENT-YACHTS, the creative Austrian company, just announced that it’s building a new hybrid 82-foot cat with VisionF Yachts in Turkey.

The new SILENT VisionF 82 will have a hybrid drivetrain; a fully electric model will also be available.

The new cat will be a bit longer than the SILENT 80, but will carry less beam. It also will have more room on the foredeck, with a sunken 34 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

standard layout calls for a large master suite and three guest cabins, all with en suite heads, in the two hulls; one of the cabins can be converted easily into an on-board office.

The extended flybridge has a large solar array like other SILENT yachts to provide electrical energy for the 160kWh lithium-ion battery bank; that’s enough to run all the house appliances at anchor.

The new drivetrain comes with three modes: electric, hybrid, and power.

In the electric mode, you can have sustainable power at low speeds, for transiting a harbor, for example, or waiting for a bridge opening.

“The aim of our collaboration with VisionF Yachts is to share our expertise and know-how in order to support other manufacturers. Tesla did something similar by opening up their patents and making the technology available to everyone.”

In the hybrid mode, the system will automatically select the electric VisionF makes yachts form 80 to 175 motor, the diesel engine, or both, feet. Read more depending on the speed and battery condition. In the power mode, both the electric motor and the SOEL SENSES 62 LONG RANGE diesel engine will be engaged to CRUISER boost acceleration and top speed.

Soel, the innovative Dutch builder, just unveiled a new Senses 62 “The SILENT VisionF 82 is a fantastic electric-powered catamaran with yacht that will combine the best of a massive 564 kWh battery that both worlds,” said Michael Köhler, the company says provides “transthe company’s founder and CEO. ocean range.” The 62 is Soel’s lat-

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est and largest yacht, and it uses battery packs and solar panels to replenish its power supply at sea.

It’s also a massive yacht, with a 33’ 6” beam that represents more than half the cat’s length. That means it carries a lot of luxury space, inside and out.

The 62 has sleeping accommodations for nine passengers, plus three crew, who have separate cabins with outside access for privacy. It also has several lounges, two dining areas, an open galley with a bar, and a desk office.

Soel started building solar electric boats in 2016, with a focus on providing maximum efficiency. It now builds an electric ferry as well as a sustainable floating island called Soel Haven. In addition to large catamarans, the company builds the 35-foot Soel Cruiser (pictured below). With just electric power, the Cruiser tops out at 14 knots. With diesel/electric, a hybrid Cruiser hits 17 knots.

The new 62 has integrated solar panels on the roof that generate 17.6 kWp of solar energy, the equivalent of 50 kWh. The solar panels have Soel’s propriety active cooling system. The company says it helps 36 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

increase the energy production by as much as 20 percent You don’t have to recharge at the dock, but the boat still has DC fast charging in addition to AC shore power.

The 62 comes with two propulsion systems, Cruise, or Power. The Cruise has two 100 kW electric motors, with 282 kWh of lithium battery capacity and a 100 kW DC generator. It cruises at 8 knots and tops out at 10 knots. The Power version has two 200 kW electric motors, with 424 kWh of lithium battery capacity, and a 150 kW DC generator.

You also can add more battery capacity, up to the 564 kWh that theoretically can provide oceancrossing range since the battery pack is constantly being recharged from the solar panels.

Running on just the batteries alone, at 8 knots the 62 has a range of 32 nm with the 282 kWh battery pack; 47 nm with the 424 kWh pack, and 63 nm with the 564 pack.

Specs.: LOA: 61’5”; Beam: 33’6”; Draft: 3’1”; Disp.: 36 tons; Fuel: 264 gals.; Water: 264 gals.; Power: 2×100 kW; 2×200 kW electric motors. Read more

HH 44 HYBRID The new HH 44 Hybrid offers a ocean-capable family cruising boat under 50 feet that comes with a dual power system –diesel and electric—that makes the boat truly self-reliant and independent.

Here’s an excellent write up on their website:

The HH44 incorporates all the features that set HH Catamarans apart: excellent sailing performance, robust carbon fiber and epoxy composite construction, exquisite interior fit and finish, and state-of-theart marine equipment. Every line and curve has been carefully considered and executed to The HH44 is a disruptive new create the most beautiful 44ft market entrant designed for those cruising catamaran on the planet. seeking the perfect balance of style, performance, safety and To meet the ever increasing for energy innovation. The carbon composite demand parallel hybrid HH44 is a game independence, the HH44 has changing, eco-friendly cruising been conceived from the ground yacht, poised to win the hearts up to work with a parallel hybrid and minds of early tech adopters, system. The HH44’s parallel world cruisers and serious sailors hybrid provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fumealike.

www.MultihullsToday.com 37

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free motoring, instant torque for maneuverability, and hydroregeneration while sailing, with the ability to switch to a trusty diesel engine when needed. The helms have been positioned in the aft corners which opens up the cabin top for up to 3.2kW of solar panels (+.5kW mounted on the davits) to compliment the hybrid.

Propelled by electric motors the boat will do 7.5kts for 2.5 hours; an 18nm range while powered by batteries and sun alone. The hydro-regeneration combined with huge solar array and excellent sailing performance in all wind strengths give the HH44 infinite range.

Safety being paramount, the HH44’s redesigned enclosed aft cockpit provides a secure platform to live and operate

38 Multihulls Today • summer 2022

the boat. Closed transoms and uncluttered side decks make the boat more child and pet friendly.

A clean aft beam, with davit winches hidden below and the mainsheet traveler on the cabin top, creates a safer aft cockpit with uninterrupted views aft. Read more Peter Janssen is the editor of the weekly e-journal Cruising Odyssey where the first five of these reviews first appeared. Cruising Odyssey is for power cruisers and the owners of cruising powerboats. You can visit new e-journal’s website here You can subscribe for FREE to the weekly e-journal, with the ability to opt-out at any time, and the knowledge that Cruising Odyssey never shares our subscriber list, here.

The World Awaits As we turn the calendar to a new year, we look forward to new opportunities and a renewed optimism for the future.

Now is the time to break free, set sail, and enjoy the world in all her splendor once again.

Your next yacht charter escape awaits.

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Lagoon 42 - February 2016 - Photo Credit: Nicolas Claris

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New additions to the fleet

Since 1979 friendly and memorable staff has welcomed our clients, delivering first-hand local knowledge of the British Virgin Islands. Year on year we strive to deliver this experience whilst maintaining a diverse fleet of modern yachts at competitive prices.

We have kept our fleet fresh with many new vessels to enjoy. Additions to the fleet this season include: three brand new Lagoon 42’s, a 2016 FP Saba 50, 2017 Lagoon 450 and a 2017 Helia 44 Quatuor Evolution.

All the information you need to book your bareboat charter can be found on our website, www.sailtmm.com

charter@sailtmm.com

1-800-633-0155 For yacht purchase enquiries please contact Don at 1-877-648-6721 or don@sailtmm.com Representing these fine yacht manufacturers:

The Moorings Yacht Brokerage has the world’s largest selection of pre-owned charter 2016 LEOPARD 58

Laurel Lee - 6 cabin / 7 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $1,149,000

2017 JEANNEAU 419

Ghalazio III - 3 cabin / 2 head

Located in Road Town, BVI Asking $135,000

2011 BENETEAU 43

2017 BENETEAU 48

Meant To Be - 4 cabin / 4 head Located in Road Town, BVI Asking $270,000

yachts.

2018 LEOPARD 40

Tres Bien - 3 cabin / 2 head Located in Saint Martin Asking $400,000

2012 BENETEAU 54

2017 JEANNEAU 519

Erocridar II - 4 cabin / 3 head

Deep End - 4 cabin / 4 head Located in Saint Lucia Asking $289,000

Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $189,000

2017 JEANNEAU 419

2018 JEANNEAU 389

STOCK IMAGE

Loma IV - 3 cabin / 3 head Located in Saint Martin Asking $119,000

Athena - 3 cabin / 2 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $145,000

Good Stuff - 2 cabin / 1 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $147,000

www.mooringsbrokerage.com | 800-850-4081 | info@mooringsbrokerage.com