silent yacht 55 layout

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Review: Silent 55, the extraordinary solar powered yacht

• January 18, 2019

Silent Yachts is tapping into the solar zeitgeist and creating a new meaning for the term ‘powercat’.  Sam Fortescue reports

There is a slow, silent revolution under way in the yachting world. It is a revolution that is introducing tonnes of lithium and a sprinkling of silicon to the spec list of new boats. Holding out the promise of silent mobility, plus limitless domestic power on board, it made a big splash at the last Cannes Festival of Yachting – not least thanks to the new Silent 55 catamaran which debuted there.

From the pontoon side, the Silent 55 looks like a typical modern catamaran, with a big coachroof studded with windows and a flybridge helm. Except there’s no mast. Now, bear with me here. I realise that this is a sailing magazine, but we will shortly get back to more familiar territory. The unique qualities of this catamaran only become apparent from up top, where an expanse of solar panels stretches away fore and aft, embedded into the coachroof. The hard top itself carries yet more panels, and can be folded down flush to give an unshaded solar array of 49m2. During the heat of a summer day in the Med, this is capable of generating 10kW of power and up to around 60kWh in the course of the day.

But to make a solar system work in reality, Köhler had to go back to the drawing board on yacht design. The saloon and hulls have extra thermal insulation to keep air-con losses down, and the use of carbon and aramid in key areas helps reduce the overall weight to a decent 17 tonnes (a Lagoon 52 weighs 22.5 tonnes). He has tried to keep windows out of the direct sun with long overhangs and in contrast to the Lagoon’s 12 deck hatches, the Silent 55 has just two.

Holistic design

On the other hand, it has lots of opening windows, to allow a natural draught to do its job. “It’s a holistic approach – you can’t take the batteries and the drivetrain and drop it into another boat.”

Of course, using the propulsion system quickly takes its toll of the boat’s 140kW battery bank. The model on display at Cannes had two 135kW motors, giving you just half an hour of silent motoring flat-out, albeit at a top speed of over 20 knots. More reasonable 30kW engines and a single-digit speed give you greater range. Nonetheless, the electric drive alone isn’t going to allow you to outrun a storm, or race home after a day at anchor, so the boat is designed to work with a generator hidden in the heavily insulated transom of its starboard hull. At cruising speed of around 5-6 knots, Köhler says there is rarely any need to use the generator, citing an owner who has just emailed him triumphantly about a second year totally generator-free. “In the end, you have to compare it to the performance of a sailing boat,” Köhler says. “It is as fast as a sailing boat in similar conditions – after all, there is no wind without sun.” He went so far as to tell me during the sea trial in Palma, Mallorca, that he believed the majority of sailors would happily dispense with the hassle of sails and a rig if only they could enjoy silent motoring and anchoring. “As soon as people realise the incredible concept of this boat, they won’t understand why they ever did anything else.”

The market does not seem to agree with him – yet. Sales of the boat have been good – they have already sold six, five of which are already in the water. But of those, four customers have taken the sail option, which means planting a 19.7m tall mast complete with boom and rigging slap bang in the middle of the coachroof solar array. “I was a bit amazed,” Köhler admits. “The shade from the rig reduces the energy generated by the solar area, while it costs more and is heavier, so consumes more fuel. Maybe it is for optical reasons.” In fact, the shade of the rig slashes the average yield of the solar panels in half. In the Med, that means around 30kWh per day. But perhaps it figures. The typical profile of buyers is an environmentalist who has a Tesla electric car and is “an early adopter who likes to have things before others”. And at low speeds, with modest use of the air-con, the reduced energy generation should still cover daily consumption.

The performance under sail should be reasonable because of the lightweight build of the boat, its broad 8.47m beam and stub keels added to each hull. Control lines are led back via conduits in the coachroof to the flybridge helm station, to make single-handing under sail a possibility.

More interesting, I think, is a sort of halfway-house option using a kite rig. This optimises the performance of the solar panels and gives plenty of propulsion. On the smaller 55 and the 64, Silent Yachts currently recommends a 19m2 kite that costs around €25,000 – a fraction of the cost of a new mast, boom, shrouds and sails. “The sail automatically makes a figure of eight above the boat, and you can steer it with a joystick or an app on an android phone,” Köhler explains. “It can propel the 55 at up to 6 knots, even in light winds.” Perfect for an Atlantic crossing, then.

For the bigger Silent 79, which will hit the water in the summer, a commercial grade Sky Sail system needs to be used – a smaller version of the ones used on cargo ships. This kite can propel the boat at ten knots, but it costs more than ten times as much as its smaller cousin. Both are capable of pulling the boat upwind. So far, so new. But outside the novel energy and propulsion system, the Silent 55 aims to do what many other cruising catamarans are trying to achieve. “Most of our clients order for circumnavigation and long-term cruising,” Köhler says. So the boat is aimed to be as comfortable and capable as possible with watermakers, TVs and an induction hob that all capitalise on the boat’s abundant energy. A flexible configuration allows owners the choice 
of between three and six cabins – the latter designed for charter. The owner’s cabin lies forward of the saloon, under the windows of the coachroof, which provide magnificent views and abundant natural light. There’s a walk-around bed and steps down into the starboard hull give access to an en-suite shower room and heads.

In my view, the best cabin lies aft of this, accessed in the traditional manner down steps out of the saloon. The king-sized bed lies athwartships and the shower is larger than that of the master cabin. There’s more space down here, better headroom and still plenty of light courtesy of the many hull lights.

When I had the chance to sea trial the Silent 55, albeit in motorboat format, I jumped at it. It was a contrary autumn day on Mallorca with 15 knots breeze – just a shame, then, that this wasn’t one of the sailing configured versions.

To start with, getting on board is made really easy courtesy of deep boarding platforms on the skirts. She feels rather square because of that vast, glazed saloon with its deep overhang, and perhaps because of the utilitarian nature of the hard top, which is really about supporting more solar panels. Nevertheless, the side decks are broad and uncluttered. The space up top is designed to concertina down flat, hence the hydraulic rams, fold-down seat back and lowering console. It makes a great sailing position, though, with all round visibility, and is also perfect for sundowners at anchor. When the rain comes down, this feels quite exposed, but there is a fully sheltered helm at the front of the saloon, and it is also possible to drive the boat from anywhere using a tablet thanks to smart electronics. Under power, the handling is superb. The quietness of the motors is astonishing, and I gather they’ll be inaudible on the next boat, which will do away with the gearbox. Even in the aft cabins, directly above the motors, there is no more than a distant hum. The boat responds instantly to the power and the wind seemed to have no impact at all. As with any propulsion system, the power consumption jumps as you pile on the speed – it was sobering to see. At 6 knots, both motors drew 10kW but at 8 knots it was closer to 30kW. I liked the huge saloon with its raised table for 360º views. And the sliding door and window gives great access aft, connecting the saloon and cockpit in fine conditions. The finish was smart and in muted tones, feeling more Scandinavian than German.

Intriguingly, at least it seems to me, Köhler has tapped into something with the concept behind Silent Yachts – but not entirely for the reasons that he expected. Buyers are opting for the sail or kite versions of the boat because they want a comfortable wind-powered craft with abundant, quiet energy on tap. It brings a whole new meaning to the 
term ‘powercat’

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Silent Yachts 55 is the Quiet Powercat

• By Phil Draper
• Updated: April 16, 2019

For a quiet yacht, the first Silent-Yachts 55 power catamaran has made a lot of noise. It is the world’s first mainstream yacht with a fully functioning solar installation as standard power.

And it works: When I got aboard a 55 in Spain’s Balearic Isles, it had been cruising for a month without any need for a port or marina services. My arrival was an excuse for the skipper to top off the tanks and fire up the generator for the first time in days.

The yacht comes in three versions: Cruiser (which is what I got aboard), E-Power and Hybrid. Cruiser is solar-focused. E-Power ups the capability of the e-motors as well as the batteries, while Hybrid has twin diesels and electric motors to offer 20-knot speed.

In all the power configurations, solar panels cover most of the Silent 55 ‘s upper surfaces. There are 32 panels in all, comprising a 527-square-foot, 10 kW array.

Beneath those solar panels is a thoroughly modern cruiser with a variable-speed 100 kW Volvo Penta D3-220 generator, a 140 kWh lithium-ion battery bank from MG Energy, Brusa chargers and inverters, and twin brushless 135 kW UQM electric motors whisking straight shafts and four-blade, fixed-pitch props. A control system integrates everything in an easy-to-use format.

“This solar-power installation works properly because we have taken a holistic approach,” says company founder Michael Kohler, an Austrian lawyer and yachtsman with several transatlantic crossings and tens of thousands of sea miles under his belt. He developed the solar concept with Hamburg, Germany-based iYacht.

“You can’t start with a conventional design and install unconventional systems,” he says. “That would not work. Almost every aspect of this model’s specification has been considered from an energy-efficiency perspective.”

Solar-powered boats are destined to function almost exclusively in sunny-weather zones, meaning there will be high demands on air conditioning systems. So the Silent 55’s hulls are insulated, resulting in less unwanted heat entering the boat and less cold air escaping. All of the hull and superstructure glazing limits greenhouse effects with shading and angled glass, to reduce ultraviolet radiation.

Similarly, there are just two deck hatches aboard the Silent 55, whereas a conventional cat of this size may have a dozen. The conventional yacht would probably require 80,000 to 100,000 Btu of air conditioning in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, ­whereas the Silent 55 has a 50,000 Btu system, drawing less power.

Interestingly, the hotter the solar panels get, the less efficient they become. Ventilation has to be effective above and below the photovoltaic cells. The panels aboard the Silent 55 convert around 22 percent of the total energy received into ­electricity. Ten years ago, the best panels converted about 14 percent.

During a typical summer day in the Med, Kohler says, the Silent 55 can produce 50 to 60 kWh with 10 kW power-generation peaks. Putting that into perspective, normal energy demands would be around 10 kWh. With energy-efficient appliances and systems installed, the yacht should support four to six people’s worth of cooking, refrigeration, lighting, hot water and air conditioning.

Cruising ranges depend on load and power-generation variables. At around 5 knots, the 55 could cruise for 20 to 25 nautical miles with the A/C working. The top speed is probably around 14 knots, but for less than an hour. The Silent 55 that I got aboard in Spain had just completed a 70-nautical-mile passage between the closest bays of Mallorca and Ibiza. The passage took about 12 hours using only solar generation and stored battery power, at an average speed of 5.8 knots, Kohler said. Her diesel generator was not used at all, although on arrival, her batteries were almost empty.

At an average 4-knot pace with the watermaker aboard, she’s virtually self-sustaining, Kohler says. She has the potential to achieve 100-nautical-mile days. With generator help at around 7 knots, she should manage 360 nautical miles before refilling her diesel tanks, which hold 159 gallons total. The generator kicks in automatically when battery levels fall below preset parameters, and switches off when a sufficient charge returns. During my test cruise between Puerto Portals and Santa Ponsa, which is about a dozen miles, the limits were set at 30 percent and 70 percent, respectively, and the generator hadn’t been run for at least three days, during which she had covered a relaxed 40 to 45 nautical miles around Mallorca’s coast. And she didn’t need to run the generator overnight with the A/C on.

Beyond her power setups and capabilities, the Silent 55’s outdoor areas deliver the usual walk-around features of a catamaran: side decks, a foredeck with trampoline loungers, and a full-beam aft deck, whose setup is open to client interpretation. The 55 that I was aboard had a dining table, double sofas and a raised a sun pad that could be replaced by an optional hydraulic tender platform.

The deckhouse includes a galley aft, an amidships sofa and table to port, and a helm station to starboard. The forward owner’s stateroom is wide with well-shaded wraparound windows and portlights at varying heights. There are three other guest staterooms, all en suite with the same matte oak veneers.

The Silent-Yachts 55 creates relatively green cruising with notable range for a solar-powered craft. Though she runs quiet, her mission rings out loud and clear.

Silent 79 The next model from Silent-Yachts will be the Silent 79. While the company developed the Silent 55 and 64 models with iYacht in Germany, the Silent 79 is the work of Marco Casali in Italy and Enrique Castilla’s Inseval studio. Lamination of the first 79 is expected to commence this year.

Sails Be Gone The first four Silent 55s, delivered in 2016, were sailboats with masts and booms towering above the solar panels. The first true power catamaran is new, and the founder of Silent-Yachts says the design improves on efficiency; the shade from sails significantly impairs the efficiency of the solar panels.

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SILENT Yachts

SILENT 55 – The award-winning solar yacht

In November 2019 the SILENT 55 won the “Best of Boats Award” in the “Best for Travel” category.

This special category is defined as “suitable for long-distance travel with all the amenities to live permanently on board, adapted to both inland waters and the harsh conditions at sea”.

In general, it can be handled easily by two people, which makes the SILENT 55 ideal for families who travel with or without additional crew.

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500 – 1.000 L

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600 – 1.600 L

Solar panels

Ce certification, sunlight yachts, office mallorca.

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Silent Yachts 55: Liveaboard test of this future-proof electric catamaran

• Photos: Jack Haines / Silent Yachts

With there being no engine noise the skipper could make an early start without disturbing charter guests

The crew meet up with another Silent 55 on charter in Mallorca

• Silent Yachts CEO and Tinker head ashore on the tender

The solar array is most effective with the hardtop retracted so it doesn’t shade the other panels

• The 27ft 7in beam gives the 55 excellent natural stability when at rest or on anchor
• You only need to head into port to replenish food stocks – the rest takes care of itself

Returning to the Silent 55 after an evening walk ashore

Breakfast at anchor is the norm when shore power isn’t an issue

• The heart of the boat is a brilliantly sociable space
• The American-style domestic fridge/freezer in the galley

The internal dinette is the team’s workspace during the summer months

• Familiar controls mean the Silent 55 feels no different to helm than a “normal” boat
• The master suite is a great cabin but it needs blinds or curtains
• The VIP ensuite runs most of the length of the starboard hull and it’s a real gem

This spectacular Mallorcan sunset marks a suitable end to a day of silent cruising

• The energy harnessed from the solar panels is stored in a 210kWh battery bank
• The compact electric motors reside beneath the floor
• The digital management system displays power usage and battery life
• Top stories

An extended stay on board the revolutionary Silent Yachts 55 allows us to assess whether this really is the future of the motorboat

The April 2019 edition of MBY – our Future of Boating special – included a boat test of the Silent Yachts 55 in, shall we say, less than ideal conditions. Given that the boat is a solar-powered power catamaran the sheeting rain that we endured during our short sea trial somewhat hindered the boat’s ability to show us what it could do.

At the time I lamented the weather and commented that to assess properly whether the Silent 55 is a viable cruising machine we’d need more time on board to test its technology in realistic conditions and, ideally, somewhere sunny. Luckily, Silent Yachts agreed so in July we headed out to Mallorca to live aboard the boat for three days to see if it works.

Our meeting point is Santa Ponsa in Mallorca’s south west, not the most salubrious of locations, but the bay, with shelter from the prevailing winds and excellent holding, is where the Silent Yachts team base themselves for the summer months.

It says much about the liveaboard potential of this boat that Silent Yachts’ CEO Michael Köhler and his wife Heike run the business from the Silent 55 during the season and are regularly joined by members of their team and potential clients so that they can experience the boat for themselves.

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A sailor at heart, Michael is not a man who likes to be tied to marinas (they spent one night in port last season) so this tranquil anchorage is ideal. We are met on the quayside by the tender (powered by a Torqeedo electric outboard , naturally) and whisked silently towards the transom of the awaiting Silent 55 where we are welcomed by the Köhler’s Australian sheepdog, Tinker, and meet the other crew members Euan and Christian, who both work for the shipyard.

Every berth on board is occupied, meaning the boat’s living spaces and the technology used to keep the creature comforts running smoothly are going to be thoroughly tested.

Article continues below…

VIDEO: Silent Yachts 55 review

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Our hosts graciously offer me and my wife our pick of the cabins but they usher us towards the master suite and after some token protestations, we cave and head forward to stow our bags. The master on this four-cabin version (there are five- or six-cabin options available) is a beauty that straddles the hulls and has a vast ensuite that occupies the forward portion of the starboard hull.

The bed is huge, there’s more storage space than you can shake a stick at and the separate toilet, shower cubicle and open-plan basin are particularly luxurious touches. The lack of curtains or blinds over any of the numerous windows catches my eye, however, as this odd omission was also noted on the boat I originally tested back in April.

The boat we’re on is the E-Power version; there is a Cruiser with smaller electric motors and a Hybrid , which mates two 14kW electric motors to a pair of 220hp diesel engines. Our boat has two 250kW (the equivalent of 335hp each) electric motors, an array of 30 solar panels on the roof with a maximum output of 10kW and a 210kWh battery bank.

This neatly interlinked system is tasked with propelling the boat up to a top speed of 18 knots and running its domestic supply, which on top of the usual lighting and sockets includes an American-style domestic fridge/freezer, air-conditioning and a water maker. There is some internal combustion going on, though, because there is a 100kW generator on board, employed as a range extender or charging aid if there is nothing but liquid sunshine in the air.

It’s a beautiful late afternoon so we haul the anchor and creep, in total silence, past our neighbouring boats for a shakedown around the headland. Much of the driving experience is the same as a boat with engines: you turn a key to activate the drivetrain and, though there is no gearbox, the throttles still have neutral, forward and reverse settings – more for their familiarity than anything else.

And it is totally silent; the gearbox whine of the boat I tested earlier this year now eradicated, all you can hear is the gentle swish of water folding around the bathing platform.

Though our boat has twin 250kW motors it’s only got 70kW of power per side because it is still in the final stages of manufacturer testing, which is a shame. That said, even with the full 500kW on tap, you’re still going to run the boat most economically at 6 knots.

Even an increase of speed to 10 knots could decrease running time by two hours or more, so it pays to stick in the slow lane – no hardship on a power cat of such dimensions and inherent stability with a litany of places to chill out in as the boat glides towards its destination.

We found ourselves gravitating towards the padded nets on the foredeck where you can sit with the sun on your face and breeze in your hair, gently bobbing up and down with the motion of the swell. The nets, your proximity to the water and the hushed progress engender a unique connection to the sea beneath you that is really rather special.

Though we have over 50% charge in the batteries Michael fires up the generator on the way back to base to top them up a touch; doing this while running is the best time because you barely notice the noise of the generator on the move.

We awake early the next morning as bright sunshine cascades through the windows of our cabin. Every other cabin on board is fitted with blinds, but the splendour of our huge master suite is dampened a touch by the lack of them in here. The windows are at least heavily tinted so we can get changed safe in the knowledge that we can’t be seen by the crew on deck.

These quibbles evaporate as we head to the main deck for breakfast, which is laid out invitingly on the sprawling cockpit table. This is the heart of the boat, an area where the cockpit and galley merge and one where the crew naturally congregates. The weather is beautiful so we plan a longer cruise to an anchorage a few miles east near Puerto Portals.

With the sun beating down already we depart our base with 65% charge in the batteries, pick up the 6-knot cruising speed and settle in for the ride. To get the best out of this boat you have to think like a sailor when passage planning, manipulating the elements as best you can so that they are helping and not hindering progress.

Tidal flow or current and wind direction all have an impact on range so it pays to have nature’s forces on your side. If high-speed blasts between islands is your thing then this boat isn’t going to work for you, but if time is your friend then the Silent 55 makes a lot of sense. Consider this too, if it’s autonomy you’re after then the 55 is in a league of its own. You only need to head in to port to top up with water (if you don’t have the water maker) and replenish food stocks.

With a 600-litre diesel capacity the generator’s tank will not need regular fills and there are no mechanicals to service apart from the generator itself so you need to carry very few spare components. You don’t depend on shore power either so if you genuinely want to live on board and get away from the crowded surroundings of a marina this boat delivers that.

The powercat frame is ideal for this usage too, given the sheer amount of living space. Where you’d normally find a pair of big engines are two enormous storage voids because the compact electric motors live beneath the floor in the aft cabins. Its twin hulls and 27ft 7in (8.46m) beam endow it with inherent stability, too, creating what feels like your own little island and a tremendous base from which to enjoy the piercing blue water of a Mallorcan cove .

She’s electric

Our 10nm mile journey on electric power took around two hours and during that trip the charge diminished from 65% to 48% (giving a theoretical range of 59 miles on a full charge). Once the anchor hits the seabed we use just 2kW of power running the domestic supply, though there is a spike when we turn on the air-conditioning to cool the cabins down before bed.

There is sufficient energy to run the air-con without turning the generator on, but with a stiff breeze blowing through the boat a quick blast is all we need for a comfortable night’s sleep. As the day boats make a dash for home at dusk, the bay becomes our own and after a refreshing dip we shower and change before the teppanyaki grill is set up on the cockpit table and we prepare to enjoy a beautiful dinner as the sun melts into the horizon.

The next day we have to return to Santa Ponsa so it’s up early for a glorious morning dip to shake off the previous evening’s digestif. The pace of life mirrors the pace of boat, but we decide to have breakfast on the move so we can get back to base before it gets too busy.

With there being no engine noise or vibration the skipper could easily make an early start without disturbing charter guests, something you would struggle to achieve on even the most well-insulated diesel boats.

Maybe it was the Mallorcan sun or a case of being caught in the moment but as we cruised silently west and I took to the cosy perch on the Silent 55’s port side deck I couldn’t help thinking what hard work it looked as other boats charged about with their bows in the air and guests glued to their seats. We pull up in Santa Ponsa with a healthy 37% of charge remaining in the batteries.

Our verdict

The Silent 55 is not perfect and you can see and feel the yard’s immaturity in the rudimentary finishing in places. I also have an issue with the terrible view from the lower helm, even though you spend most of your time helming from the flybridge. Nor is the Silent 55 a handsome craft; designs for the 80 and 60ft versions show a far more attractive look with much neater proportions and a tidier window line.

In early September, though, I receive a video from Michael via WhatsApp. It’s of him standing on one of the bathing platforms as the Silent 55 charges through the water at 17 knots on electric power. The testing phase, it seems, is complete and all 500kw can be laid down at once; it’s quite a sight to see the boat travelling at such speed with no engine noise whatsoever. The boat may still need some of its rough edges smoothing off but the technology works and sets an important motorboating milestone.

Price as reviewed:

£1,730,000.00 (ex. VAT)

Price from : €1,400,000 ex VAT LOA : 54ft 8in (16.7m) Beam: 27ft 7in (8.46m) Draught : 2ft 1in (0.64m) Displacement : 19 tonnes (light) Fuel capacity : 600 litres (132 gal) Water capacity : 500 litres (110 gal) RCD category: A for 12 people Design: Michael Köhler & iYacht

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Summary / Test Silent Yachts 55 E-power+, cruising in silence and autonomy

Silent Yachts specializes in the production of electric and solar-powered catamarans for comfortable, fully autonomous sailing. The Silent Yachts 55E-power+ is no exception to the rule, providing a spacious and very comfortable interior for cruising, and combining a silent navigation!

The Silent Yachts 55 E-power+ is a motor catamaran with 2 x 250 kW with a 100 kW generator and a 210 kWh battery pack. This is the most powerful version offered by the shipyard on this model, guaranteeing a top speed of 14 knots, but above all the possibility of sailing at 8 knots for 50 miles without having to switch on the generator. Its interior and exterior layout is designed for cruising, with large relaxation areas and 4 to 6 cabins, depending on the program.

Summary of the report

Silent Yachts 55 E-power+, a new way to sail

Accommodation and life on board Silent Yachts 55 E-power+, all the comfort of a luxury yacht

Navigation and Program of Silent Yachts 55 E-power+, sailing silently and without pollution

Pricing and alternatives for Silent Yachts 55, a forerunner in a market without competition

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Stay at Sea Forever with Solar-Powered Yacht

Silent yachts’ silent 55 catamaran runs on 100-percent solar power for weeks on end., john lyon's most recent stories.

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Like the automotive, aviation, and, let’s face it, nearly every other industry, yacht builders have caught on to the power (pardon the pun) of eco-friendly design. To be fair, the concept is nothing new: There are plenty of hybrid-electric yachts out there, and even a few equipped with large banks of photovoltaic cells. But traditional hybrid models still rely—to some degree—on burning fossil fuels, and the solar panels are generally able to produce only enough energy to power onboard systems.

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The Silent Yachts Silent 55 catamaran that made its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival last week , however, changes all that. It’s able to generate enough power through its high-efficiency solar cells to power both onboard amenities as well as propulsion. Translation? Like a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that can spend huge amounts of time at sea, the 55-foot yacht can be configured to be almost entirely self-sufficient. Not only does this mean that the boat doesn’t produce any nasty exhaust, distracting operating noise, or excessive vibrations from traditional engines, it also means that it has an essentially unlimited range (as long as the sun keeps shining). For inclement weather and emergencies, there is a generator on board that can charge the battery. The yacht is even able to harness the solar-electric system to power a water maker capable of supplying as many as six staterooms.

The model shown at Cannes was the E-Power version, which uses two 135 kW motors to travel as fast as 14 knots. But the boat can also be configured in the slower Cruiser version or the more powerful Hybrid Power variation, which pairs two electric motors with two diesel engines. Finally, the sailing set can invest in the Sailor version, which has a mast as well as any previously mentioned motor configuration.

The customization continues inside, with the shipbuilder offering five interior layouts available that accommodate anywhere from three to six staterooms—each of which can be equipped with double or twin berths. If you’re focused on personal pampering, three of the layouts include a full-beam owner’s stateroom. A deck above, you’ll find a combination galley, saloon, and helm, where guests will spend much of their time.

Given all the problems in the world, we wouldn’t blame you for abandoning land altogether, and since the Silent 55’s has the ability to travel 100 miles a day for weeks on end without needing to stop at port, you may have found your perfect escape from reality.

John Lyon joined the Robb Report team in 2009. Starting out as an intern, he has worn many hats over the years and written and edited for nearly every category. However, his lifelong love of all…

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BOAT REVIEW Silent Yacht 55

• The silence! Almost eerie.
• Multiple areas for relaxing
• Quality finishes wherever you look

The solar-powered Silent 55 catamaran is successfully pioneering renewable power in a quality and seaworthy design.

Solar cell development is a moving at pace which is creating more uses for it, something Silent Yachts company founder Michael Köhler is acutely aware of. After many years of voyaging on conventional power boats it led him and wife Heike to build their first electric prototype which they sailed for five years and 15,000nm before founding the company and constructing their first production Solarwave 46 in 2009. She was the first renewable-powered blue-water catamaran.

I first met the Köhlers in 2017 when they arrived at La Grande Motte boat show with the Silent 64, which I took out for sea trials. I recall gliding along on the Mediterranean at 10 knots while the twin electric motors hummed quietly, consuming 64 kilowatts, before we throttled back to a cruising speed of 6.6 knots for a more sustainable consumption of 31 kilowatts. I steered with a Raymarine autopilot dial and the twin throttles (but a conventional wheel clips into place for traditionalists). The latest boat, the Silent 55, has advanced substantially from the 64, especially with the developments in much more powerful lithium batteries. Along with the Silent 55 and the Silent 64, the other models in the range are the Silent 55 VIP Ferry and the upcoming Silent 79.

The electric proposition The Silent Yachts proposition to buyers is that their systems require hardly any maintenance and produce no fumes or noise so the operational costs are substantially lower compared to power yachts using more traditional propulsion systems. This Silent 55 cruises in the remote Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar during winters so has to be self-sufficient. The company offer several varieties of its vessels, including sailing versions, kite-powered versions, electric ones and a hybrid model. Our review boat was the electric version with upgraded 2 x 135kW motors that achieve 14 knots and a large optional diesel generator.

At first glance the Silent 55 looks like many other power catamarans – a tall flybridge above a large squared-off saloon and spacious lounge decks fore and aft. Looking closer revealed the reason for the large topside structures – these areas host the solar panels. The overall shape is fairly sleek and low-slung to reduce windage. But to maximise the extensive inside space requires upright topsides and squared bulkheads in the saloon which somewhat compromises the aesthetics. So it doesn’t have the smooth curves of a Tesla electric car but, like these vehicles what counts is under the hood.

Apartment-style saloon Cruising catamarans attract buyers for their comfort and stability. The two hulls allows them to carry heavy loads and of course contain a lot living spaces. Looking around the Silent 55, it doesn’t disappoint in any of these areas. Walking inside from the sheltered aft deck reveals a spacious saloon to me with galley at the doorway, dinette on the forward port quarter and steering console opposite. Ahead is a deck level owner’s suite, an unusual feature; and up to six cabins can be optioned on the Silent 55. The U-shaped galley on the portside comprises a deep sink, electric cooktop, dishwasher and worktop space nearby on the starboard side as well, making it an effective cooking space with lots of cupboards; ideal for those blue-water voyages. Refrigeration consumes the most energy on yachts but is an essential so there’s a drawer fridge; in addition our review boat had a large upright household fridge.

The other big consumer is air-conditioning which is a 50,000 BTU reverse-cycle unit on the Silent 55 – it heats as well as cools. Most usefully, there’s a water-maker powered by the solar-electric system, which produces 100l/per hour, so enough to supply a boat load of passengers. Other good galley features include a sliding window that opens aft to the outside dinette area.

But in sunny weather, running at 5 knots, the Silent 55 can do 100 miles daily. The hydraulic steering wheel felt heavy, something that the company was going to rectify, as it consumes more energy from the autopilot. But turning the wide catamaran was done easily, as it gently glided around; with no smoke or noise. All I could hear was the water streaming past the fibreglass hulls and the feel of the wind on my face.

2019 Upgrade to Silent Yacht 55

The Cannes 2019 boat show saw the arrival of an upgraded Silent 55. Key improvements include higher-powered 250kW motors as standard and increased stored power (210kWh batteries compared with 70kWh). More efficiencies have been found through a redesigned drive-train that minimises friction and reduces mechanical noise. Following customer feedback some interior design improvements have also been made, says Köhler. “We did these updates and changes because we always try to improve and to install the best and latest technology available to satisfy our clients. We have built one new SILENT 55 already and we’ve got three more orders for this model, which shows that we’re heading the right direction”.

Vindex 350 S

When the itch for another boat project required scratching a little over two years ago, de Fluiter decided that repurposing a Vindex 350 flybridge would be quicker than building another new boat.

Cora 48 Catamaran

Performance is modest, as expected for its power-to-weight ratio, but nearly 17 knots of speed was available when I used maximum throttle.

Beneteau First 44

Fifteen knots eased back to about 10 knots and the boat felt light on the helm, responding nicely to changes in wind pressure as they came through.

Buccaneer Five Seven Five

The spacious cockpit is uncluttered but has plenty of seating. The cockpit sole is covered in SeaDek. The bolster-equipped helm chairs are a decent size and proved comfortable even in the lumpy conditions we experienced.

Silent Yachts

Creators of the world’s first series produced, solar-powered electric yachts.

Unlimited Range

Noiseless cruising, zero emission, minimal maintenance, pioneering solar powered yachting since 2009.

The Original Solar Yacht

As the original inventors of series produced solar-electric yachts, we pioneered this innovative approach. Our first model, the Silent 64, was launched to the market in 2016, several years before any other shipyard considered the possibility of going electric.

Leading Technology

Our founders began to research alternative energy sources to power yachts during the mid 1990s. Today, the technology of our in-house developed solar-electric drivetrain has been perfected and is multiple generations ahead in terms of reliability, performance and efficiency.

Historical Track-Record

In 2009, the Solarwave 46 was launched as our first prototype of a fully solar-electric, self-sufficient ocean-going catamaran. Since then, our electric yachts have cruised many 10.000s of nautical miles, performing flawlessly during a variety of weather conditions.

Enabling Self-Sufficiency

What differentiates a Silent is the unprecedented level of autonomy provided by our yachts. Being able to produce your own energy enables a fully self-sufficient lifestyle on board. Travel the oceans sustainably while making them your infinite playground.

The award-winning entry to solar-electric yachts.

Timeless design meets state-of-the-art technology.

120 Explorer

The boldest expression of solar powered yachting yet.

What Makes Us Unique

The tranquility on board of our yachts is unique. A lack of noise, fumes and vibrations create a deep connection with the sea. Luxury and sustainability finally merged into a holistic experience, working hand in hand with nature by minimizing the impact on the marine environment without compromising comfort.

For optimal performance and efficiency, our solar-electric drivetrain integrates seamlessly with all onboard systems. Compared to fossil fuelled powertrains of motoryachts, electric powertrains have very few moving parts, resulting in minimal maintenance, maximum reliability and significantly lower running costs.

The ability to recharge your own batteries with the sun marks a new era of freedom. Depending on cruising speeds and weather conditions, a Silent has virtually unlimited range, enabling you to live a fully self-sufficient lifestyle on board. Unbound by the limitations of fossil fuels, you are free to explore the horizons.

The technology powering our yachts today has been pioneered by our founders almost three decades ago. Continuous upgrading and steady optimization of the entire system are some of the key reasons our in-house developed solar-electric drivetrain offers a comprehensive portfolio of assurances and warranties.

Why Silent Yachts

A sensible approach to yachting which works in self-sufficient harmony with nature and creates a completely new experience on board.

Tech Corner

Why a Solar Powered Yacht?

Let’s break down the advantages of harnessing the sun’s energy for yacht propulsion: solar power offers remarkable efficiency, significant environmental benefits, and an unmatched synergy with the yachting experience. Join us as we dive into the future of sustainable yachting and discover how solar-powered yachts are revolutionizing the seas.

Living on a Silent 62 Solar Electric yacht

Silent Yachts’ range is designed to harness the power of the sun, providing green energy and silent cruising. But what can owners truly expect? How much power does the Silent 62 use while cruising? In this article, we evaluate a typical day onboard the Silent 62, based on actual data from our yachts.

Silent Yachts’ shining debut at the Venice Boat Show 2024

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Electric power event on the water

Shipyard tour Italy by Michael & Heike

“The Tesla of the seas! An amazing founding couple, a highly innovative product as well as a really cool story behind it. Furthermore, a lot of love and attention has been invested into every single detail – truly impressive!” Frank Thelen / TV Personality, Founder, Angel Investor & Disruption Expert

While the present has brought us the dawn of smart cars, I strongly believe the future will bring us solar powered smart boats – and I definitely want to be at the frontline of that journey. Michael Jost / Former Head of Group Strategy of Volkswagen Group

The idea of sailing while charging your own battery is super powerful to me – solar powered sailing is the perfect love story! Jochen Rudat / Former Tesla Central Europa Director, Advisory Board Silent Group

Elon Musk single handedly forced an entire industry to go electric, as a matter of fact if they don’t all go electric now they will soon die. I would like to see the same thing happening for boating. You are not just selling boats – you are the actual leading edge of a crucial and much overdue revolution to sustainable transport!” Klaus Obermeyer / Emmy Award Winner

I am completely excited about solar catamarans. I knew before they are great but now I truly believe this is the future. After so many boats I’ve seen in over 18 years with Boote Exclusiv, this yacht truly blew my mind. Such a silent and peaceful cruising experience – just the way it should be. Martin Hager / Editor in Chief for Boote Exclusiv - Yachts

Silent 55 Green Power and Solar Panels

25 February 2019 Dominique SALANDRE New Boats , News 0

The Silent 55 is a new kind of boat which uses solar power via special panels, li-ion batteries and electric motors by Silent-Yachts. This boat sets a new trend in terms of ecologically oriented and careful yachting that respects nature and guarantees owners full comfort in total silence. Michael Köhler, CEO of SILENT-YACHTS, explained: “ Purely solar-powered yachts become a commercial reality now. Even if we keep a diesel generator on board our catamarans, this is for safety reasons. An owner of the SILENT 46, for instance, told me that he did not start a generator for the last two years despite he spends the whole summer on the boat with guests cruising around Greek islands. ” Köhler   adds: “ Solar is a more practical generator of power than wind, hydro-generation or other technology because the sun is much more reliable than the wind in the common holiday destinations. Most people are searching for a sunny – not for a windy – holiday destination. Hydro generation only works when the boat is being moved – not on anchor. When moving, the hydro generation reduces the speed in the same way as it generates energy minus the loss for friction and efficiency. It decelerates the boat twice as much as it generates power. Nobody can beat physics. The efficiency of the panels that we use in SILENT-YACHTS is 23%, which is strong in today’s world. We use Sunpower panels, by far the most efficient commercially available panels on the market. There is a perception that with time solar panels become less efficient. This is not an issue anymore. Sunpower guarantees  80%  efficiency after 25 years. Believe me, after that time span, you will be glad to change them voluntarily, as more efficient panels will be available for much less money. ”

Battery technology problem has also been passed. “ Advanced batteries allow SILENT catamarans to cruise day and night without stopping ”, comments Michael Köhler. “ As technology improves, we can go faster during the night and the batteries will be lighter due to higher energy density. ”

Configurations

The Silent 55is available in several power configurations to suit a variety of cruising applications. All of them stick to the SILENT-YACHTS philosophy of relyingmainlyon solar power for propulsion and onboard power needs.

The standard “Cruiser”   version of the Silent 55   has 2 x 30 kW turnable saildrives e-motors, while a more upgraded “E-Power”   version is equipped with 2 x 250 kW e-motors. There is also a “Hybrid Power”   version with 2 x 220 hp diesel engines and two 14 kW electric motors. A “Sailor”   version can be equipped with all the previously mentioned drivetrain configurations and is rigged with a mast and sails to provide additional propulsion in fair winds. With 30 high-efficiency solar panels rated for approximately 10 kilowatt-peak, the Silent 55 uses maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solar charge regulators and lithium batteries, which provide capacity for all-night cruising, while a 15-kVA inverter provides power for all household appliances. The systems requires hardly any maintenance and produce no fumes or noise. Because of that, the operational costs of the vessels are substantially lower compared to power yachts using more traditional propulsion systems. Michael Köhler, SILENT-YACHTS CEO, said “ What this represents to the yachtsman, among other features, is the ability to cruise for many hours at normal speed and throughout the entire day and evening at reduced speed. SILENT-YACHTS sets the standard for an entirely new feeling in yachting: No fuel. No maintenance. Pure solar-powered luxury. ”

DIFFERENT LAYOUTS 

The Silent 55 is available in five different layouts ranging from three to six staterooms with three or four heads. A full-width central owner’s stateroom is the centerpiece in three of the layouts, with guest staterooms located in port and starboard hulls. All staterooms offer double or twin berths, and all heads include a separate shower. Other layouts are available on request.

Construction

The Silent 55is built using vacuum-bagged resin infusion to create a lightweight glass-sandwich composite construction that has sound- and temperature-insulating qualities. The hull is reinforced with carbon fiber at stress points, and uses vinylester resin to prevent osmotic blistering.

The Silent 55   hull shape was designed using extensive tank testing for optimal efficiency. The molds were then created using CNC milling for true replication of the refined, enhanced shape in the tooling. The Silent 55   has a shape both above and below the waterline that is designed to slip through the wind and waves with minimal resistance. Designed with sealed deck sections and collision compartments for safety, the Silent 55 uses watertight bulkheads and integrated interior furniture to create a torsion-resistant hull structure. The electrical system can allow such features as a powered aft swim platform, a 1,500-watt electric windlass, and other features yachtsmen have come to expect on world-class oceangoing cruising yachts.

Onboard experience

Because the Silent 55   is designed to range everywhere as a true ocean-going cruising yacht that is self-sufficient, she is equipped to keep her crew happy and comfortable for virtually any voyage. It starts with the benefits of the propulsion system. The Silent 55   can cruise efficiently for up to 100 miles   a day for weeks. At the same time, the arrangement of the components enables the system to power all onboard systems without need of fuel to power a generator. Because of her revolutionary design, the Silent 55   travels just with the sound of the wind, and the water streaming past the hull, with no smoke, noise, or vibration of engines. “ The generator is only used to recharge the batteries in the rare case when higher speed is required for longer periods of time or if the weather is bad for several days,”  Köhler   says. In addition to the ergonomics of the living spaces, the Silent 55   – thanks to her advanced conveniences – offers a comfort level that sparks peace of mind. A water-maker powered by the solar-electric system, produces enough water to supply a full six-stateroom company with reasonable rate of consumption. 

On the Silent 55, all onboard appliances operate on the 220/110-volt system, to which her crew might be used to from their homes. The galley has refrigerator and freezer space to sustain the crew and an efficient induction cooktop, precluding the need for carrying propane.

“ Under normal, average holiday conditions, the boat is self-sufficient with unlimited range without burning fuel, ” Köhlersays. But perhaps even more importantly, the time under way is spent enjoying the sounds of wind and water, with no fumes or vibration, with no noise but the laughter of friends and family.

• Silent yachts
• solar panels

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2021 Silent Yachts Silent 55

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This is a demo version of current model SY 55 and is now available for immediate  purchase. 

The Silent 55 solar-electric power catamaran combines green propulsion with luxury accommodations. Solar-powered and self-sustaining, it’s a 55-foot, ocean-going catamaran with four staterooms and heads. There is no engine noise or vibrations and the only mechanicals to service are the generators.

This is a fully optioned vessel with the most powerful E-Power+ propulsion option which combines the largest battery bank with the strongest electric motors available. Therefore higher speeds can be sustained for even longer periods of time while also maximizing the amount of energy which can be stored for back-up and deployed whenever needed. E-Power+ delivers the ultimate solar powered yachting experience.

Front-exit version with: - 6 Years warranty for the battery banks - 23 Years warranty for the solar panels - Lifetime warranty for the electric motors - 100% Solar powered - Unlimited cruising range - Lifetime maintenance-free motors - Noiseless and fume-less luxury navigation - No heat build-up - Highest quality materials & craftsmanship - Safest marine propulsion system

Built to CE-A standards, this amazing solar-powered catamaran is immediately available. 

Sistership pictured -see or call for full brochure on this model.

Premier Yachting, the exclusive agents for Silent Yachts in Australia, for comprehensive details on this vessel. 

Specifications:

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