When Alva Yachts opened its doors in Germany a few years ago, the management team was convinced that electric yachts were the future. While it has seen growing interest across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, interestingly, it is seeing particularly strong demand from North America. To better service Americans and others in the region, Yacht Sales International is now the official Alva Yachts U.S. office.
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Yacht Sales International additionally has locations in Cape Coral, Florida, as well as Annapolis and Chicago. The head office includes (pictured above, left to right) Udo Willersinn, the founder and CEO; Wendy Meade, the co-founder and broker; and Brewster Knott, the marketing director.
Already, this Alva Yachts U.S. office has acquired the first Ocean Eco 60, a production-boat model, as a demo yacht. This will help introduce new customers, plus show keen-to-buy yacht owners the possibilities. Already, Yacht Sales International is speaking with clients about megayacht models, too, like the Ocean Eco 90 Explorer (above). This 90-footer (27.5-meter) offers three propulsion options, including electric drives. More than 2,153 square feet (200 square meters) of solar panels cover the superstructure, too. These feed the battery bank and, in turn, the electric drives. Regardless of propulsion package, the megayacht reportedly can cover 100 nautical miles in battery-only mode. Furthermore, thanks to a shallow draft of 3’9” (2.1 meters), you can easily access areas like the Bahamas. Plus, the nearly 46-foot (14-meter) beam means plenty of room inside for you and your guests—and it’s semi-custom.
“We have a large customer base of electric/hybrid enthusiasts,” Willersinn shares. “Alva Yachts brings a logical progression in size/range capabilities from our current electric/hybrid offerings. The shallow cruising waters in South Florida, as well as the Caribbean and Bahamas, makes catamarans an attractive solution.”
Willersinn also asserts, “As our climate changes, we also must change.” He believes that the German yacht builder’s models mean “living off the grid, silently becomes the new normal.”
Alva Yachts alva-yachts.com
Yacht Sales International yachtsalesinternational.com
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