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The Silent Death Knell of Diesel

Zero out of ten ex-Rio Tinto CEO's own Silent yachts. Don't be like them.

Some folk think an ideal day on the water is a long session lounging in the sunshine, glistening bodies and condensation dripping from icy drinks. Others are already scouring this imaginary scene for a singular spot of shade in which to shelter from the burning death rays that pummel them from above.  

Doesn't it seem more sensible to harness the sun's power to propel your vessel, rather than letting it crisp your skin to a painfully rosy shade? In order to make solar-power a viable option, it's necessary to dedicate as much space as possible to solar panels, which means fewer outdoor areas can be directly exposed to the sky. By doing just that, the designers of the Silent 60 solar cat have created a vessel with unlimited range, and thanks to the electric drivetrain it produces zero emissions, no vibrations and is completely silent under power — the benefits of this setup are stacking up fast. And although it has 210kW/h battery capacity, there's a generator to provide extra charge, just in case. 

Of course, the shelter-dwelling boat owner doesn't conjure up the same glamorous appeal as a tanned, sunbathing body, and there's nobody who buys a boat without hoping it'll make them appear at least a tiny bit cool. So if the idea of a solar yacht doesn't seem all that fashionable, consider this: Tesla recently overtook Toyota as the world's most valuable auto manufacturer by market value — a good indication that electric propulsion systems are taking over. And you know how Tesla did that? They made electric look sexy. 

It stands to reason that the marine industry will soon follow suit. Although the boating fraternity has yet to reveal their Elon Musk equivalent, Silent Yachts are doing a good job of making electric seem less like a hippy pipe-dream and more like a reasonable way of flaunting success in the ways of capitalist enlightenment. 

Beyond the impressive solar array and electric drivetrain, the Silent 60 has a lot going for it. A spacious deck level and excellent seakeeping are part and parcel with the twin-hull design, while the hulls themselves provide several options for accommodation, ranging from three to six staterooms and as many as six bathrooms. The Silent 60 can creep into shallow waters with a draft of less than one metre, and is equipped to carry a tender up to four metres long, so even the sandiest bays are accessible.

Objectively, it's hard to find any irredeemable shortcomings on the Silent 60. Unless, of course, you prefer to feel your skin roasting as the world around you succumbs to the death throes of a dying planet...objectively. 


QUICK SPECS

PRICE From €1,970,000

LENGTH (overall) 17.99m (59ft)

BEAM 8.99m (29ft 6in)

DRAFT 0.93m (3ft)

DISPLACEMENT 25t

BATTERY CAPACITY 210kW/h

WATER 1,000L

ENGINE 2 x 250kW electric

WEB silent-yachts.com