Image: Silent Yachts
Silent Yachts unveils its new Silent 60, a solar-powered catamaran with a kite wing instead of conventional sails. The ship has 42 solar panels that generate 17 kWp to power two electric motors of 200 kW each. The yacht also has a battery capacity of 286 kWh, allowing for zero emissions.
The Silent 60 is designed to go everywhere as a true bluewater cruising yacht. The solar-electric system is configured to power all on the onboard systems without the need for a fossil-fueled generator.
The kite design was created by a Dresden-based company, Wingit. The kite wings enable the catamaran to reach a top speed of 20 knots. Wingit founder Stephen Schröder explained: “The main advantages of a kite wing over a conventional sail system is that it does not need a tall mast, flies much higher in the sky where there’s more wind, and generates up to 10 times more power per square meter than a traditional sail.”
“It makes even more sense for the silent boats that run on renewable solar energy because the power generated by a kite easily exceeds the energy consumption of the system, so you can charge the batteries while cruising under kite power. and besides that, it’s great fun!” He added.
Image: Silent Yachts
The kite wing consists of an electric winch and a short, collapsible mast and is stored in a locker underneath the foredeck. The kite is inflatable and upon inflation, will be released overboard to drift away on the surface of the water. Pulling on the lines launches it into the air once it reaches the optimal height for flight.
The kite will generate power to pull the yacht while gilding in a figure of eight motion in the air. Controlling the kite’s movement is simple as an automated app is available which the owners can use. To bring the kite back down, the controls will move the kite above the boat where it has the least amount of pull on the boat. From here you can easily winch it down and collapse it over the foredeck for stowage.
The kite wing is also available on all Silent Yacht models.
The Silent 60 has four guest cabins on the lower deck and a spacious master suite. The yacht also offers several social areas onboard — the main salon, aft cockpit, bow area, and a flybridge. The yacht’s main salon has a staggering ceiling height of 2.3 metres.
Image: Silent Yachts
A draft underneath the yacht enables it to access shallow bays, a crucial consideration for cruising grounds in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Two swimming areas in the stern can be extended to carry two electric jet skis. There is a lifting hydraulic platform that can be enlarged to carry a four-metre tender as well.
Image: Silent Yachts
The Silent 60 is equipped with the company’s aeration system that provides cool and fresh air to all interior guest spaces and can be individually adjusted to suit different conditions. A reverse-cycle heat pump system heats the interior for all-season comfort. The hull is insulated and ensures the onboard temperatures are stable and does not use excess energy.
There is a watermaker that is powered by a solar-electric system and produces enough water for an ample amount of guests. The galley features a refrigerator and freezer space and an induction cooker, so there is no need for propane gas.
This yacht isn’t the only ship with a solar panel, Absolute Yachts debuted its new 60 Fly at the Cannes Yachting Festival. A solar panel is installed on the hardtop of the yacht. The solar panel is enough to power the fridge, water heater, entertainment system, and more for hours without using the generators.
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