Silent Yachts has just taken the idea of adventure or explorer yachts to an entirely new level by announcing that its new 120 Explorer will have both a vertical takeoff and landing airplane and a personal submarine. The all-electric powered catamaran also will have trans-oceanic capabilities and virtually unlimited range.
The plane, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) named the XP4, is made by the British startup VRCO. It can hold four people, cruise at 160 knots, and fly for an hour. Large solar panels on the yacht’s roof slide out to port and starboard to open a touch-and-go landing pad for the plane.
The submarine, a Nemo from the Dutch builder U-Boat Worx, holds two people and can dive down to 328 feet below the surface. It has a top speed of 3 knots, and can stay underwater for up to eight hours. Owners can store it on the Silent 120 Explorer either on the aft deck next to the swimming pool (oh, your yacht doesn’t have a swimming pool?) or in one of two tender garages.
The new Silent 120 is scheduled to be launched in 2024. It’s 120 feet long with a 45’ 4” beam and it displaces 490 gross tons. It uses a series of 40-kWp solar panels to charge an 800-kWh lithium-ion battery bank. That, turn, powers two 340-kW electric motors, producing a top speed of 16 knots. The cat’s most efficient speed is 8 knots.
The electric power produces no emissions, virtually no noise, and requires minimal maintenance. It also does not take up as much room inside the yacht as a diesel or gasoline system would, opening up more interior space for things like tender garages or toy storage.
“The trend is for bigger yachts and more luxury, more comfort, more water toys and more possibilities,” said Michael Köhler, Silent Yachts founder and CEO.
Silent, an Austrian company, makes seven models of electric-powered catamarans, from 60 to 120 feet, in yards in Italy and Thailand. The interior and exterior of the new 120 Explorer were designed by Marco Casali, who has run his own firm, Too Design, in Rome since 2004; he’s one of the most active designers in the large yacht field. Read more at http://silent-yachts.com and see the video below:
