Enjoying the sea is what makes owning a boat so special. The feeling of being alone on your own little island, the tranquility of a secluded cove and the ocean unfurling to the horizon
A boat offers a unique connection to the marine environment and a privileged insight into the natural world that surrounds us. The degradation of marine reserves and the natural environment is a challenge that affects us all and one that we must meet head on.
Sea temperatures are rising, endangered species are under greater threat than ever and we, as a race, have reached a tipping point where our actions now will shape the future of this planet for generations to come.
Hybrid boats and marine conservation
It is technology, specifically hybrid and solar, that leads the way to a less harmful and more sustainable future for powerboats. No sailor wishes harm to the environment from which they derive so much pleasure, and embracing the clean energy sources found in abundance at sea is a sure way to limit the amount of harmful toxins being released into the water and atmosphere.
What natural resource is there a limitless supply of at sea? Solar. Solar technology has improved hugely in recent years and has become more accessible, less expensive and more sustainable. Given that most boat owners would prefer to be using their boat in good weather it stands to reason that the addition of solar panels to a boat is a sensible solution.
Hybrid propulsion is another avenue that forges a path to a more sustainable future. Similarly to solar panels, battery technology has come on leaps and bounds and for this the automotive industry is owed a debt of thanks. The drive by some of the biggest companies in the world to electrify our cars has meant a significant investment in infrastructure and battery capabilities, which can be harnessed in the boating world.
If these two technological developments are combined with electric motors the result is a solar/electric craft that not only is far kinder to the environment than an equivalent with internal combustion engines but also far more pleasant for those on board. Electric motors are effectively silent when they operate so arriving and departing quiet anchorages can be done in peace and the same can be said for entering and leaving a harbour.
Along with providing a means of propulsion, solar installation can also be used to run the boat’s domestic equipment, be that the fridge/freezer, on-board lighting or even the air-conditioning. No need to turn the engines to run the boat’s domestic systems or resort to running a noisy, polluting generator.
Your level of autonomy increases too – less time spent worrying about where you might be able to connect to shore power for the evening and more spent away from the crowds enjoying quality time with friends and family.
A Greenline future
Greenline Yachts is leading the charge in this exciting sphere of modern boating and has been producing solar-equipped hybrid boats since 2008. The Greenline hybrid concept uses four times less fossil fuel than a planing powerboat in similar conditions. Every single yacht in the range can be specified as either hybrid or full electric. It doesn’t matter what the budget is or what style of boat is required, Greenline ensures that sustainable propulsion is available to all.
On average, the Greenline hybrid can travel on electric power alone for 20 nautical miles at a speed of 5 knots, which is ideal for idyllic coast hopping and inland cruising. With just the sound of water rushing beneath the hull, the senses are heightened and the connection to the sea is purer. Yes, this technology is far kinder to the environment, but it also provides a serene and tranquil experience for everyone on board the boat, too.
To find out more, visit the official Greenline Yachts website.
