Austrian solar catamaran pioneer Silent-Yachts sold its first solar cat in 2018, and business is booming. The builder now has 11 electric yachts in the water, and it will build 20 more electric cats in 2021 at the company’s two new shipyards in Thailand and Italy.
In all, 15 Silent 60s, one Silent 55 and four of the new Silent 80s will be built next year, and the company has ordered 500 lithium-ion batteries to power the boats.
In January, Silent-Yachts will also deliver the first Silent 60 with a new automatic kite sail system to assist with propulsion. The kite will be stored in a dedicated compartment below the front deck when not in use.
Silent-Yachts is not alone. Soel Yachts of the Netherlands, Slovenia’s Hovercraft, Singapore’s Azura Marine and other builders are getting into the electric boat business, too.
You can read more at Plugboats.com.
