AUSTRIAN-BASED SILENT YACHTS has sold the first Silent 100 Explorer designed by Marco Casali, which it unveiled at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival
Like all SILENT yachts, the four-deck Silent 100 Explorer has a solar-electric drive train. It embraces the sound of silence – or the sounds of the sea alone.
Similar to the SILENT 64 (the first solar-powered production boat by SILENT
YACHTS to cross the Atlantic ocean in January 2018) the SILENT 100 Explorer has worldwide cruising capabilities.
The yacht measures 31 metres overall (101.7ft) with a beam of 13,62 metres (44.7ft) and a height of 10.46 metres (34.3ft).
Renewable electric energy comes from an array of solar panels in the hardtop that slides apart to reveal a sundeck – which can also serve as a helipad.
“This new sale coming after the sale of three of our 80-foot models in rapid succession confirms the market’s interest in the superior comfort of catamarans and solar energy for propulsion needs, as well as all the household appliances on board,” says SILENT-YACHTS founder and CEO Michael Köhler.
The solar cells provide up to 40kWp (kilowatt ‘peak’ power output of a system) and clean solar electrical energy is stored in a battery bank with a capacity of up to 800 kWh.
Coupled to twin 340kW (@700 rpm) electric motors, the Silent 100 Explorer has an economic speed of 6-8 knots, a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 14-16 knots.
Diesel generators can provide back-up auxiliary power. Because the solar energy is completely renewable, in theory the Silent 100 Explorer has unlimited range.
The Silent 100 Explorer boasts five ensuite guest cabins on the main deck and in the starboard hull, and a full-beam master stateroom with private office on the main deck forward.
The aft section on the main deck is devoted a saloon and dining area, while the open aft deck with hot tub is set up for sunbathing with a balcony over the transom bar and breakfast table.
The wheelhouse is on the upper deck with connecting captain’s cabin. There is also a sky lounge and bar with al fresco dining facilities for a full complement of guests on the open aft deck.
The fly deck has more sunbathing space, a wet bar, a second helm station space under the sliding solar panels that can be used for the helicopter or as an open-air gym.
The galley, crew quarters (including a mess) and hotel services are all housed in the port-side hull. The crew has a dedicated staircase to access all deck levels.
There is room for a 7.5m tender garage between the two hulls and a smallercrew tender and toys in side-loading garage in the portside hull.
