Soel Yachts, the Dutch award-winning solar electric boat builder, just launched the Soel Senses 48, a low-profile, alternative-energy catamaran that the company says is “the ideal luxury weekend cruiser for the sustainability minded.”
The new Soel Sense is totally free of fossil-fuel. An array of 12 solar panels on the boat’s hardtop can collect 2.7kWh and works with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors to drive the boat and produce all the power on board.
With its standard power of twin Naval DC 40kW electric motors, the boat cruises at 10 knots and tops out at 12 knots. With optional twin Naval DC 100kW motors, it tops out at 18 knots.
The range is 30 nm with the standard twin Naval DC 71kWh batteries. With optional twin Naval DC 142kWh batteries, the range goes up to 56 nm.
The new cat is Soel’s first recreational boat. It has been producing smaller cats for several years to prove the viability of solar electric boats for tourism and diving destinations, such as the Bora Bora Beach Resort in French Polynesia. Three years ago Soel received the Innovation Award at the Tourism Awards ceremony of French Polynesia for its boats there.
The main deck of the new Soel 48 has windows all around, for 360-degree views and a light-filled interior. The salon has a central bar with a lounge and dining area. Doors on both sides of the helm open to the decks for access to the foredeck; it has a large sun lounge and an electric passerelle that allows for bow-forward mooring for privacy.
Bi-fold doors aft in the salon open to the cockpit, with more seating and stairs leading down each hull side to the swim platforms and the water.
Below, each hull has a cabin with a double bed and an en suite head and shower. The salon can be configured with convertible lounges, so more people can sleep up there.
So far, Soel is happy with its venture into recreational boating. “Essentially, we’ve designed the solar electric yacht we would use personally with our families and friends,” said David Czap, managing director of Soel Yachts.
Specs.: LOA: 47’5”; Beam: 16’7”; Draft: 2’3”; Disp.: 19,800 lbs.; Water: 105 gals; Power: 2x Naval DC 40kW electric motors and 2x Naval DC 71kWh batteries. Optional: 2x Naval DC 100kW motors and 2x Naval DC 142kWh batteries. Read more:
