
Austrian yard Silent Yachts has premiered 16.7-metre (55-foot) solar-powered catamaran Silent 55 at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Silent 55 uses silent electric propulsion for unlimited range with no noise or fumes and minimal vibration – she is completely self-sufficient and largely maintenance-free.
Available in several power configurations to suit a variety of cruising applications, all of which adhere to Silent Yachts’ philosophy of relying mainly on solar power for propulsion and on-board power needs.
The Silent 55 on display at Cannes is an E-Power version with 2 x 135kW motors and can reach up to 14 knots. The model can be equipped as a Cruiser version, with a pair of 30 kW motors or a Hybrid Power version with 2 x 220hp 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 Continue reading “World’s only oceangoing solar-electric production catamaran is unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival”