Solar Electric Catamarans are taking over the sailing world. And, for good reason. They are stable, spacious, offer lots of familiar amenities. Their flat roves lend themselves to solar panels and their low water resistance makes them easy to push. Here are several solar electric catamarans you can buy right now.
Solar electric catamarans are gaining popularity for good reason. They are stable, spacious and offer the familiar comforts of home. The have flat surfaces for solar panels, they are lightweight making them efficient, and they have low water resistance which makes powering them relatively easy.
Why Solar electric Catamarans
Just like electric cars are gaining on their gas- and diesel-powered cousins, electric catamarans are gaining on their diesel ancestors. Most catamarans are diesel powered, and diesel is ubiquitous at marinas. However, electric power is increasingly available. Besides, regular 110 VAC household power is all that’s required.
In this article, I will discuss a few of the totally solar powered electric cats I have found online.
Let’s dive right in.
There are several reasons why solar electric power is gaining acceptance among boaters. Catamarans have never been as great at sailing as their sailboat ancestors. They are horizontally oriented, even with a mast, in contrast to the vertical orientation of the sailboats.
Flat Roof
The flat roof gave designers a level playing field for installing solar panels. This is in contrast to the rounded, dome of the sailboats like the ever-popular Catalina 22. Besides, the catamarans have always been a bit more roomy, which was also an advantage.
Narrow Hulls
The narrow hulls offer less resistance to water and waves. Diesel has strong torque and has been the Yanmar engine of choice for motored boats a long time. This meant that the boats were easier for the electric motors to push.
Light Batteries
The last advantage has come from the newest technology, the new lithium batteries. Cats have always been light on their… well, hulls. The batteries are also lighter, don’t require maintenance, don’t release toxic fumes and are lighter. Lighter batteries, also means less weight to haul around on the water.
Like Home
Diesel engines are noisy and smelly. They shake the boats they are on, both sailboats and catamarans. People adapted to the shape of the hull, the noise and the smell. Cats are more like homes and people feel more comfortable on them. They want their homes to conform to their preferences.
Luxury Cats
You can have the benefit of the luxury experience. This is while contributing to the betterment of the environment and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.
By the way, before we get started… Those dashing tiny craft barreling across the water, one of its hulls in the air with a daredevil hanging off the side?
Those are racing cats.
That’s not the kind of catamaran I’m talking about here. Instead, I am, looking at cruising catamarans. These share one thing in common with that other type of cat, and that’s the two hulls. But that’s it. Cruising cats are much slower, more regal boats. Also, those little, quick ones, there isn’t room for an extra wetsuit, let alone be doing any cooking, or even sleeping on them.
Quiet, Fresh and Maintenance-Free
I’m talking solely about solar-powered catamarans here, and although they look like their diesel counterparts, there are major differences, which I will address.
Perhaps the biggest difference, and one of the strongest selling points for solar-power, is the noise level. Anyone who’s been on a diesel boat (or petrol) has had to deal with the smell and the noise. Besides, you don’t really miss the noise, dirt and smell.
But that drone is far from relaxing, which is one of the real reasons people get on a boat, and get off the mainland. Even if you’re fishing, you’re still out on the water and hope for some peace and quiet.
The Secret’s in the Batteries
The key to the success of the solar-powered catamaran is not the solar panels, although those are great. They do look elegant and are well integrated. The secret hero is the battery system.
Solar energy companies work hard to perfect their products. Making their batteries denser, they created batteries that store more power, and for more extended periods, and in smaller spaces.
And that brings us to an aspect you probably haven’t thought of:
Solar-powered catamarans have more interior room simply because their batteries take up less space than the conventional diesel engine. That’s rather astonishing when you think about it.
Solar Electric Catamarans Have More Room
Space that used to hold an engine room has been freed up for more important uses, like fun! For instance, you can entertain in that space.
Since most solar catamarans are almost infinitely customizable, it’s hard to say what you could use that space for. However, it’s available, and that is due to the solar power system.
The cats have solar in all kinds of places. Obviously on the roofs, but also some companies add them to large swaths of the hulls. They look more like a design choice. In addition, they are classy.
Classy cats
You’re dropping millions of dollars on a boat. These are elegant cats. Two things are likely true: you have a lot of money, and you like nice things. All of the yachts listed here are lovely things. Besides, you can’t go wrong.
As a result, and since they aren’t exactly available for test drives, it’s nearly impossible to recommend which one of these is the best. So, the list is ranked in no particular order. Let’s be honest, all solar electric catamarans are perfect!
And by the way, the price is a very general estimate. All solar electric catamarans are all completely custom built to your order. Every one can be made in to your request. Therefore the price can vary accordingly.
Here we go.
Three Solar Electric Catamarans
80 Sunreef Power Eco Yacht
This may be the most amazing boat you’ll see for some time. Sunreef has been boat-building since 2000. This company has been winning awards along the way. However, in the last few years, they began the Eco line.
There are shorter, and one longer, versions, but the 80-footer (24. 38 m) is iconic. It offers two electric motors to glide over the water. There is little noise, no vibration, and zero exhaust smell.
This boat has solar cells everywhere. They are on the hulls and add to the overall design of the ship. Added to the panels on the roof, this solar electric catamaran carries 200 square meters (2152 sq ft) of solar cells. They generate up to 40kWp (that’s 40 kilowatts peak. This means under the best conditions, like in bright sunlight.
Pros
No emissions
Silent running
Unlimited cruising
Cons
Solar panels on the sides of the boat may not appeal to everyone
Cost
Price: $8 million USD and up
Silent 80
This eighty-footer (24m) is made by Silent Yachts and comes in a loft or classic version. You have incredible luxury and very large spaces with both choices. The bathrooms alone are amazing. They are almost enough to live in. Silent Yachts makes its catamarans in 40, 60 and 80 foot versions. However, they refer to the 80 as their flagship. And with good reason, this yacht has been called “the Tesla of the seas.”
Three Power Options
There are three power options available, each power level allows for higher maximum speeds for longer periods on the water than the last, but all of them offer cruising speeds of up to 8 knots.
The rooftop solar panels generate 26kWp of power. That’s a step down from the Sunreef vessel, but Silent Yachts claims you have unlimited range. This is because the solar power is easier and more available on the open sea and the Silent 80 appears to be lighter. This combination provides an endless solar supply. Theoretically, you can cruise (slowly) forever under the right conditions. In other words, most of the time.
State-of-the-art Batteries
Silent 80 has excellent state-of-the art batteries. Whenever it’s time to use that power, the boat quietly powers the electric motors. Which have a Silent Yachts lifetime warranty. That warranty gives you the peace of mind that whatever problems occur will get fixed. Besides, you can relax.
Like all electric motor systems, the Silent 80 needs almost no upkeep. Compare that to the ongoing maintenance on smelly, big and very loud diesel engines. However, the investment alone seems worth it not having to change the oil.
Pros
The recommended maintenance schedule begins long after the yacht’s lifespan. Which means you may never have to do maintenance at all. In addition, you don’t get as dirty.
Silent Yachts offers a kite for additional propulsion. Which is up to ten times more efficient than a sail!
Cons
The draft is pretty deep, at five-and-a-half-foot
Smaller kWp capacity than comparable makes
Cost
Price: $4.6 million and up
Soel Senses 48
This is the smallest yacht in this solar electric catamaran list. It’s a little more than half the size of the others. However, Soel has built such a beautiful boat that it’s entirely powered by solar electric. The 12 solar roof panels generate 2.7 kWp of electric power that is stored in two batteries. Therefore they can be configured to hold up to 142 kWh of solar electric power.
Like the others, this makes for a catamaran that glides over the water smoothly. Totally without rattles, without fumes, and without noise. Its’ top speed is an amazing 18 knots. This is due to its’ smaller size. However, unlike the others in this list, its cruising speed tops out at only 10 knots. Therefore it stores significantly less power, it can only run at top speed for short spurts.
The ship’s range is listed at between 30 and 56 nautical miles (55 – 103 km). This range is due to the various options and choices available in customizing for your order.
Pros
The boat’s 2.3-foot (70.10 cm) draft is shallower than the larger boats
Orders of magnitude more affordable
Cons
This is a smaller boat and won’t comfortably house more than 10 people
Limited range means this is a weekend cruiser
Cost
$600,000 and up
Two Other Solar Electric Choices
These next couple of catamarans are newer and smaller. However, they should be mentioned. We’ll be sure and point out with each one. These are catamarans, and a solar electric catamaran is a step up. However, if you can fit your friends and family on it for a fun trip, then life is good.
Silent 50
Smaller cousin to Silent Yacht’s Silent 80. This product is made by Silent Yacht in conjunction with Volkwagen and Cupra, a Spanish car company. In other words, three design teams for the price of one.
Volkswagen has taken a significant role in building electric engines. The company brings its Modular Electric Drive (MED) to this vessel. This allows for an even more efficient electric propulsion system than the one on the Silent 80.
Cupra‘s presence in the catamaran seems to be in the design. The Silent 50 is a vessel built with an eye toward a world in which water travel creates zero greenhouse gas emissions. All zero emission vessels are welcome. In other words, you can have a better life creating a better environment.
Aquanima 40
Azura Marine, based in Singapore, recently announced their solar powered catamaran. The biggest feature may be its six-figure price tag. According to Azura Marine, the ship can cruise indefinitely with a 10 kW solar power system and a 60 kWh battery pack. This is a smaller battery size than the other catamarans, however it’s also a smaller boat.
This cat is welcome addition to this club and an excellent combination of price and features.
Conclusions
This will be a personal choice and one you’ll want to do a lot of research. This is probably why you landed on this page, in the first place. Since solar electric powered catamarans sell for large sums of money, this will not be an impulse purchase for very many people. Still, it’s a beginning. Prices will come down with boats the same way that Tesla prices came down.
All of the choices listed above are beautiful, well-built, luxurious ways to enjoy life while you’re boating. It may come down to a choice of aesthetics, range, or speed. Additionally, all of these catamarans offer incredible visions that anyone can enjoy and treasure.
The Best Solar Electric Catamaran for You
The luxury catamaran world is an exclusive one. However, it doesn’t have to be wasteful or irresponsible. The boats listed above on this list are some of the best in the world. They combine luxury with solar power and providing emissions-free yachting that’s quiet and relaxing. The sale of these boats will mean improved technologies for everyone.
New yachts can be customized before you order, purchased from the manufacturers, and various online yacht brokers are ready and willing to help you find a craft that’s right for you.
Finding the right catamaran for you will depend on your wants and needs. We can all agree that environmentally sound, sustainable power on these vessels is valuable. Keep looking and dreaming and planning. Make a beginning, make it better, and keep moving.
What to know more? Send me feedback. I will do the research and let you know what I found!
Sources:
https://soelyachts.com/soelsenses48/
https://www.silent-yachts.com/silent80/
https://sunreef-yachts-eco.com/power-eco-yachts/
https://xquisiteyachts.com/60-solar-sail-yacht/