Based in Austria, Silent Yachts wants to change the way yacht owners view environmentally minded cruising. It believes solar-powered yachts are the way to go. Indeed, it reports selling 13 projects from 55 feet (16.7 meters) to 64 feet (19.43 meters). It now has a new, larger yacht under construction, the Silent 79. This solar-powered catamaran pledges, as the company name states, noiseless cruising, as well as fumeless travel.
Employing carbon fiber composite construction, the Silent 79 bears naval architecture by Insenaval, which has broad experience in yachting and commercial craft. Styling, meanwhile, for the 78’6” (23.95-meter) yacht is from Marco Casali – Too Design. In profile, the Silent 79 appears to be a customary contemporary cruiser. But, when viewed from above, she shows off her solar panels. Those panels carry a 25-year warranty and cover 92 square meters (990 square feet).
The solar energy from the panels—56 of them—feeds a battery bank aboard. This keeps the appliances and electricity-dependent creature comforts running. It also feeds the Silent 79’s electric motors. Silent Yachts says the Silent 79 can cruise at 8 to 10 knots and top out, depending on the electric motor package selected, at 20 knots. Regardless, because the battery bank gets continuously fed, Silent Yachts claims you’re not limited to a certain range. You can tap a 100-kW range-extending recharger if needed. Also, for backup, a diesel genset is aboard.
Due to having a waterline length of 77’8” (23.7 meters), plus the catamaran design, the Silent 79 provides good interior spaces. Silent Yachts hasn’t specified the accommodations layout for this first hull. A variety of stateroom combinations, to a total of five, are available for you and your guests. You can additionally opt for a cabin to serve multiple purposes, or be dedicated as an office. Regardless of choice, you get a full-beam master stateroom. It occupies 26 feet (8 meters) of the yacht’s overall 35’9” (10.95-meter) width. Your en suite head sits in one of the hulls, too.
From the foredeck sunpads to additional sunning space on the flying bridge, the Silent 79 provides the amenities cruisers expect. And, because she’s a catamaran, she also has the trampolines you’ll want to lay in, to watch the water pass beneath you.
We’ll bring more news about hull number one of the Silent 79 series as it becomes available.
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