Most major boat brands are still building sailboats with dirty but reliable diesel propulsion. Fortunately, however, a growing number of innovative companies are offering fully-electric yachts. These early adopters are pushing some larger manufacturers to offer electric options as well. This new generation of boats with quieter and cleaner propulsion represents the future of sailing.
So what are some of the most exciting electric monohull and multihull sailboats on the market in 2022? We highlight newer green monohulls and multi hulls from Alva, Arcona, Elan, Salona, Sunreef, X-Yachts, Zen Yachts, and more.
Alva Yachts
Alva Yachts is a brand new builder of luxury solar power yachts. The company evolved from Pica Yachts, which built 20-30 foot sailing and electric powerboats from 2013-2019. Launched in 2020, Alva Yachts offers the Ocean series of eco-powered yachts and sailing yachts. The company's eco-powered yachts include fully electric-solar cruisers and catamarans from 50 feet (15.20 meters) to 90 feet (27.5 meters).
Alva Yachts has also designed two electric sailing yachts, the Ocean Sail 72 (22,25 meters) and the mammoth Ocean Sail 82 (25 meters), likely the first fully-electric 80-foot sailing yacht.
Ocean Sail 72
The company's stated goal for the Ocean Sail 72 was to design the best electric performance yacht possible by combining the efficiency of a racing hull with a deck layout that is comfortable and cozy. The futuristic design by Holger Henn / Henn Project, with input from naval architects at the Henn Project and Hamburg's Bad PyrmontI-Yacht, includes integrated solar panels.
A 135 kW electric motor with 124 kWh battery capacity and a 200 kW DC generator powers the yacht. The boat comes with 4.8kWp photovoltaic capacity with three 230 kVA 230 V shore power hookups. With energy to spare, a 50,000 BTU air conditioner is available for hot summer days and warmer climes.
The sailing gear includes a123 m² self-tacking mainsail, a 121 m² jib, an optional 142 m² genoa, and a 305m² gennaker. The boat is ready for the boldest bluewater adventures, coming with a Europe, CE (Category A) classification. It carries 10,680 kg of ballast, displaces 32,500 kg, with a draft of 3 meters. With a generous beam of 18.7 feet (5.7 meters), the Ocean Sail 72 is spacious. It comes with a 1,000 liter freshwater tank, two 200 liter blackwater tanks, and two 200 liter greywater tanks,
Arcona Yachts
Sweden's Arcona Yachts is one of the world's leading builders of electric yachts. Electric propulsion upgrades are available across the entire Arcona fleet. Arcona Yachts claims to have the largest fleet of electric zero emissions yachts. It was an early adopter of electric propulsion, launching the Arcona 380Z in 2015 (for more see a Cruising World review of the Arcona 380Z).
Arcona 415
The company officially rolled out the new Arcona 415 in 2021. Designed by Stefan Qviberg and the Arcona Design team, the boat comes with electric propulsion as a standard feature. Arcona installs Oceanvolt motors, and the Arcona 415 comes equipped with a powerful 15kW Oceanvolt Servoprop electric propulsion system. A 19kWh battery pack comes standard. The Oceanvolt Sail Drive is able to regenerate power via the propeller once the boat is making sufficient speed.
This new model builds on the success of the older Arcona 410. Like the Arcona 410, the 415 comes with an open transom and twin wheels. The hull is made with a 20 mm Divinycell foam core using vacuum infusion technology. The company says it built the 12.20 meter-long boat for strength, speed, responsiveness, and ease of sailing. Bulkheads are bonded to the hull and deck for added strength, and a galvanized steel cradle helps to absorb the dynamic loads of the rig, mast and keel. The boat meets A-Ocean European CE Category. The 415 displaces 7,800 kilograms (17,200 pounds).
The boat comes with a sailing setup built for speed, with a mainsail of 57 m2 a 107% jib, 148 m2 spinnaker, and 132 m2 Gennaker.
The company designed the interior of the Arcona 415 with the option of elegantly handcrafted Mahogany or Scandinavian Light Oak. With a 3.9 meter beam, there is plenty of space. Customers can purchase two- or three-cabin models, and the boat is billed as a quality performance cruiser. A spacious saloon and well-equipped galley round out the interior. This model has a water capacity of 230 liters, 25 liters for hot water, and a 75 liter holding tank.
Elan Yachts
Elan Yachts has a seven decade pedigree of innovation and award-winning boat building. The company builds three boat lines: The E-Line, Impression-Line, and GT Line. SAIL magazine awarded the Elan GT6, a 49 foot luxury performance cruiser sailing yacht, the Best Boats 2022 award.
E6
The new flagship model for the high-performance E-Line range is the E6. Launched in March of 2022, the 50 foot 2 inch (15.30 meter) (length overall) E6 is the company's largest and fastest performance cruiser. According to the company, the E6 is “…intended to be the fastest, lightest and stiffest 47 ft fitted production performance cruisers on the market.”
Boats in the E Line series are designed in conjunction with Humphreys Yacht Design to be high-performance yachts with ocean cruising capabilities. The boats are built with Vacuum Assisted Infusion Lamination (VAIL) technology to create strong, stable, and safe cruising boats. Like many modern performance cruisers, boats in the E Line series come with chined hulls and twin rudders to deliver control and stability at high heel angles. All models include a carbon fiber retractable bowsprit, tapered keel stepped masts, a genoa furling system, and adjustable split backstays.
The boat comes with 97.7 US gallons (370 liters) of water capacity. While the standard model comes with an available 63.4 US gallon (240 liter) fuel tank capacity and 57 or 80 HP Yanmar engines. However, the E6 is also available with twin 15 kW Oceanvolt SailDrives for sailors trying to reduce their diesel footprint. The E6 comes with three pairs of Harken winches that were reportedly positioned after in-house testing with an Olympic sailing team.
The E6 is just as elegant below as it is sporty above. Designed by Pininfarina, the spacious interior includes natural oak veneered and solid wood finish.
Salona Yachts
Salona Yachts is a relatively small yacht builder, but the company is making heads turn with its award-winning eco-friendly yachts. The Croatian yacht builder, which has been building yachts since 2002, offers performance cruising models ranging from the Salona 33 to the Salona 46. The U.S. dealer for Salona is Green Yacht Sales, itself a leader in promoting the electric yacht revolution.
Salona S46-XLVI
Salona launched the high-tech Salona S46 in October 2021. The S46, designed with J&J Design, evolved from the S44. The company says the solid hull and deck are produced using vacuum infusion and vinyl ester resin. An internal steel frame supports the keel and mast.
The S46 has a large and functional cockpit with halyards and other lines running aft to the cabin roof to make single-handed steering easy. The boat comes with a fractional rig and oversized winches. The main is managed with an electric winch.
A twin Oceanvolt electric propulsion system offers speed as well as hydroregeneration while under sail. Green Yacht Sails reported in a test sail that the S46 reached 5 knots of speed in 4.5 knots of wind on a beam reach and over 10 knots in winds in the range of 15-20 knots.
The boat is as good looking and comfortable as it is well built. The interior has a light “Euro” modern look. The S46 comes with a spacious refrigerator, double sink, three-burner galley, and spacious counter and cabinet.
The boat comes equipped with a 53 gallon water tank, twin Oceanvolt 10 kW Servoprop Electric Motors, and a 30 kW battery bank. The S model is reportedly able to travel approximately 70 miles at a speed of 3 to 3.5 knots (or 6.6 knots for about 15 miles at high speed).
Judges at the 2021 Newport International Boat Show recognized the quality and innovation built into the S46 by awarding the S46 with the Best Green Boat award. According to an article on the 2022 Boat of the Year in Crusing World Magazine one of the judges reported that, “This boat lit up under sail, and was a joy to steer and tweak.” For a complete review of the S46 see this article in Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting.
Sunreef Yachts
Sunreef Yachts is a leading builder of luxury sailing and power catamarans. Founded in 2002, the company builds and finishes boats at its facility in Gdansk, Poland. The company claims that Sustainability is at the core of its activities.
Sunreef offers the Sunreef Yachts Eco series. The company equips these boats with a composite-integrated solar panel system and among the lightest batteries in the industry.
Sail catamarans in the Sunreef Yachts Eco series feature recyclable sails and advanced electric engines with custom-engineered battery banks. Solar panels that the company manufactures in-house are plentiful. Additional power is supplied from hydro generation and wind turbines.
Below decks, Sunreef's eco-yachts emphasize sustainable materials, including reclaimed teak, linen and basalt-based furniture, and naturally-sourced and recycled fibers.
The Sunreef Yachts Eco series include six models ranging from the Sunreef 50 Eco to the enormous Sunreef 43M Eco (141 feet) mega yacht.
Sunreef 50 Eco
The Sunreef 50 Eco powers its twin 40kW electric engines with up to 67 m² of solar panels designed and built into the mast, boom, hulls, superstructure and bimini. Additional power comes from hydro-generators and wind generators. Installed solar panel specifications range from 3kWp up to 13kWp. Energy is stored in the boat's 80kW lithium batteries. The sailing catamaran includes an 80m² mainsail and 79m² genoa.
The customizable interior includes a stern cockpit equipped with a hydraulic platform, spacious dining and lounging areas that transition into a main saloon. Wrap-around windows provide stunning views while sailing or docked. A bow terrace features a lounging space protected from wind and sun. The catamaran accommodates up to 12 people.
X-Yachts
After four decades of innovation, X-Yachts is launching a new electric-powered sailboat model to join the green boating revolution. This new range of boats mirrors the company's recent visible corporate environmental sustainability commitments. For example, In 2021 X-Yachts became the main sponsor of the Race For Oceans Foundation, an organization whose target is to protect the oceans from plastic.
X4⁹E
The X4⁹E is the first X-Yacht sailboat the company has built as a hybrid-powered yacht. The company fitted the yacht with two 10 kW electric saildrives from OceanVolt, a 28.8 kWh 48 volt LiFePO4 Lithium battery bank, and an onboard Fischer Panda DC generator with capacity of 11 kW. The company plans a fully electric option for owners who request it.
Two Oceanvolt saildrives have a maximum power of 10kW each. This would enable a theoretical maximum speed of up to 7.8 knots. At this speed the saildrive could repower the battery bank with a regeneration power of up to 3,000 watts.
The generator recharges the 48V lithium battery bank and/or simultaneously provides power to the Oceanvolt saildrives. Recharging from 20% to 80% with the generator is estimated to take around 95 minutes.
OceanVolt and X-Yachts project a range of 12.6 NM at a fast 7.3 knots of speed up to 49 NM at a more leisurely 4 knots of speed estimated under flat water and no wind conditions.
The company reports it expects to launch the first X4⁹E in May 2022.
Zen Yachts
Zen Yachts is one of the newest and most ambitious eco-yacht builders. The company has a stated mission to strive to accelerate the transition to zero-emission boating, yachting, and even shipping.
ZEN50
Zen Yachts claims the ZEN50 is the world's first series production catamaran equipped with a wingsail. Award-winning naval architect Julien Mélot designed the catamaran.
The ZEN50 (LOA 15.7 meters) sports racing carbon hulls. A huge solar roof enables abundant solar power, with a reported solar power versus displacement ratio of 16 kW to 16 tons. The boats most unique feature is its revolutionary, fully automated, optional wingsail manufactured by Ayro. The OceanWings32 was originally developed for Team Oracle for the 2010 America’s Cup. Zenso claims this boat is the first series production leisure craft equipped with a fully-automated wingsail. A high capacity 160 kWh lithium battery bank powers a powerful electric motor. The ZEN50 reportedly can achieve 14 knots and maintain high continuous speeds.
The ZEN50 comes in three versions: Racer, Cruiser and Explorer models. The company lists the base “Sea Racer” model at US $1.6 million. It lists the “World Cruiser” model at US $2.25 million. Construction of the first units began in March 2022.
The interior of the ZEN50 is just as elegant and roomy as the topside is innovative. The boat includes two large day beds, three dining areas for at least ten people, a professional galley, two wet kitchens, five heads, and up to four double ensuite cabins. Additional sleeping areas are available via a bunk double and single.
The ZEN50 also comes with an electric tender, dive compressor, satellite internet, and helm stations in the cockpit and flybridge.
On Deck
In the next few years we expect that electric yachts will no longer be a niche market. For example, In 2021 Groupe Beneteau announced plans to develop electric options across a number of its brands. This is important because Groupe Beneteau is one of the most important players in the boating industry.
Group Beneteau controls 17 brands and services at 20 different production sites. The company reported revenue of €1.15 billion (US$ 1.25 billion) in 2019-20 across all its brands (including non-boat brands). The boat division at Groupe Beneteau includes 180 recreational boat models across its 12 boat brands. These include Beneteau, the iconic namesake brand, which includes 45 different models; Jeanneau, which itself has a more than 60-year legacy of designing and building powerboats, sailboats, and yachts; Lagoon, a leader in the construction of cruising catamaran sailboats; and Excess catamarans.
Excess 15
As an example of where Groupe Beneteau may be heading, In 2021 the first hybrid Excess 15 was introduced at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival. The prototype catamaran came equipped with the Deep Blue Hybrid system from Torqeedo.
The Excess 15 is spacious. It is the largest catamaran in the Bénéteau Group family with an area of 125 square meters (1,345 square feet) and a 25-meter (82 foot) high mast. The electric prototype included a bluewater sailing configuration that included twin Deep Blue 50 kW electric saildrives and two Deep Blue high-capacity lithiumion BMW i3 batteries.
The prototype is part of a Groupe Beneteau's reported strategy to incorporate hybrid engine projects across a variety of its brands and boat models. However, as of April 2022 it did not appear that buyers could select the electric power option from the Excess 15 configuration page.
Beneteau 30.1
In 2021 Beneteau also introduced a prototype of its Oceanis 30.1 model sailboat. The Oceanis 30.1 basic model is the smallest yacht in the Beneteau line of cruising boats. Launched in 2019, the 30.1 won Best Small Cruiser of 2020 from Sail Magazine and Best Performance Cruiser of 2020 from Cruising World Magazine. As of April 2022 it did not appear that Beneteau listed an electric power option for the Oceanis 30.1 on the boat's public specification page. Based on the introduction of an electric prototype, we hope this option will be possible soon for this award-winning small cruiser.
Conclusion
If 2022 is any indication, we are in an exciting era of new electric yachts from innovative small yacht companies like Salona Yachts. More established companies like Elan Yachts and X-Yachts are beginning to offer electric options. Major brands like Beneteau and Excess are teasing electric prototypes. The ever-growing number of innovative multihulls from companies like Zenso and Sunreef offer an even more exciting range of options for the boater trying to sail greener.
More Information
Reach out to us if you would like us to highlight additional new electric yacht models and lines! If you want to learn more about the benefits and challenges of electric yachts, check out The Pros, Cons, and Future of Electric Yachts and Sailboats. For a growing list of boat builders that manufacture electric yachts, electric propulsion systems, as well as other useful green boating resources, check out our Sail Greener Resources Page.
