Just introduced to the U.S. market at the Fort Lauderdale boat show, the new Greenline 36 Hybrid offers a combination of a totally silent 6.5-knot speed under electric power, or an 18-knot speed under traditional 220-hp Volvo diesel power (boosted to 25 knots with an optional 370-hp Yanmar). The reaction to the boat at the show, said Vladimir Zinchenko, the CEO of SVP Yachts of Slovenia, the new owner of Greenline, was “very good. People are much more comfortable with hybrid technology today. They love the environmentally friendly aspect and the idea behind Greenline.”
I tested an earlier version of Greenline, a 33, in Annapolis a few years ago, and at first was disoriented by the lack of noise as we cruised down Spa Creek at 6 knots under electric power. It was like being on a sailboat but without hearing any wind in the rigging. The switch from diesel to electric power, and back again, was seamless. Soon I was more than happy with the almost-silent performance of the boat and felt like I was connecting with the real world again.
The company has won 21 international awards for its earlier hybrid boats, and now claims that the new 36 is the first production-model hybrid. It offers a constant 110V to power an air conditioning/heating unit, a large fridge, a microwave, an oven and TV. That’s all powered by a 5.7 kW Li-Po battery and inverter/charter, plus solar panels on the hardtop.
The Greenline 36 has two staterooms and one head with shower. The transom folds down to open up the cockpit for water sports, and a sliding door at the starboard helm gives easy access to the side deck. Maximum range under diesel power at 7 knots is about 1,000 nm. Zinchenko says he wants to find brokers to sell Greenlines, with models from 33 to 48 feet, in the U.S.
Specs: LOA: 38’0”; Beam: 12’3”; Draft: 2’9”; Disp.: 16,534 lbs.; Fuel: 185 gals.; Water: 106 gals.; Power: 1/220-hp Volvo D3. Price: About $256,000. http://greenlinehybridusa.com
