9 electric and hybrid catamarans grab attention at Multihull of the Year Awards
In another sign of how electric propulsion is growing in the world of sailboats, a number of electric and hybrid catamarans – both sailing and power yachts – won their category or simply turned heads in this year’s prestigious Multihull of the Year Awards presented at La Grand Motte in April.
The awards are organized by Multihulls World magazine and Multicoques Mag to celebrate and reward innovation, performance, sustainability, and liveability. Votes are cast by boating fans all over the world, with winners reflecting what the public is looking for in the multihulls of the future.
In general, multihulls have a better hydrodynamic profile for electric propulsion than similar sized monohulls because there is less water resistance and drag. Having said that, many of the boats on the show are quite big and meant for long cruising, which means a pure battery-electric solution is impractical. Two of the nominees, though, are completely FFF (fossil-fuel-free) and operate totally on solar and or wind power.
Sail Cruising Category
WINNER: Leopard 46
The Leopard 46 is a model from the South African builder that takes the best aspects of two of its most popular models – the 40 and the 45. Being in between the two, the 46 is significantly lighter than the longer version, – meaning big delivery on performace – and it has also been configured to be more spacious than its smaller sibling and provide additional touches of luxury.
The 46 is available with an optional electric hybrid propulsion system from JOOOL that includes a 25 kW (≈ 35 hp) pod motor and LiFePo (lithium iron phosphate) battery. The core of the system is the OneBox, a smart, compact energy management and conversion unit that integrates every onboard energy source and output: battery, solar, wind, hydrogeneration (beginning at 4 kts / 4.6 mph / 7.4 kph), gensets and shore power. It manages charging and discharging for both propulsion and house loads.
SECOND PLACE: New 41 Fountaine Pajot
The Fountaine Pajot Aura 51, larger sibling of the New 41, was the winner of the Electric Sailboats category in the 2024 Gussies Awards. And while the 51 was shown ‘in person’ at La Grand Motte, the catamaran nominated by the Multihull Awards jury was the smaller, newer 41.
Like both the Leopard and the F-P 51, the 41 can be purchased with the optional JOOOL electric / hybrid propulsion system outlined above. Solar panels are integrated on the coachroof and optional panels can be added in the bow to make up a total of 2,300W of output.
Above the water, it is available in several configurations, with 4 double cabins (the Quatour) or 3 double cabins (the Maestro). The company says the 12 metre cat’s ergonomics “have been carefully reworked to offer optimum comfort, with a redesigned helm station, more relaxation and seating areas, a plancha moved to starboard for better accessibility, and simplified circulation thanks to reduced step heights to access the aft bathing platform.”
OTHER NOMINEES: Max Cruise Marine 44SC
Max Cruise Marineprides itself on cutting edge construction methods that reduce weight while maintaining durability. That makes their boats especially well suited to for electric propulsion, and electric hybrid is available on all three of their models.
The hybrid system of the Max 44SC pairs twin 10 kW electric drives with 30 hp ICE engines, a 5 kW generator, 3 kW of solar power, and a 32 kWh lithium battery bank. This configuration was designed in conjunction Hybrid Marine to marry the benefits of electric propulsion with the necessity of ICE motors for long range cruising while also allowing sailors to explore remote destinations without relying on shore power.
Max Cruise Marine Hybrid Marine
Sail Performance Category
SECOND – HH Catamarans 52
The HH50 was the winner of Cruising World’s 2021 Boat of the Year Awards in the Luxury Cruiser category and the new HH52 is an evolution of that boat, redesigned with electrification in mind and integration of their EcoDrive Parallel Hybrid Electric/Diesel propulsion system. Like many HH models, it has a choice of two different helm positions: Twin Aft-Swing Helms or a Forward Cockpit and Central Helm.
The electrified HH52-SC comes standard with a custom shaped, walkable solar array paired with a 48 volt electrical system, a 43.2kWh battery bank and hydro-regeneration capability.
Multipower Category
WINNER: 60 Sunreef Power Eco 1st
The Boat Test for the Multihull Awards notes that “Sunreef Yachts is making a name for itself with its Eco range, with half of all orders now for electrically-powered catamarans.” With two120 kW electric motors, the 18.3 m (60 ft) power catamaran can reach a top speed of over 10 knots – but the energy used to maintain that speed is far more than the energy required to cruise at a very nice 8 knots.
At 8 knots, the battery bank lasts 4 hours. At 6 knots, you gain another hour.
The testing team found that the best compromise is 7 knots, the speed at which the motors consume 70 kW. The battery bank itself stores 330-kWh of energy and is backed up by an 85 kW Yanmar generator.
Read about Solar Skin
On the creature comfort side, the 60 Sunreef Power Eco has a huge semi-open saloon. The interior main deck lounging and dining space is entirely customizable and filled with sunlight from both the skylight and panoramic glazing. Outside there is a large bow terrace and an aft cockpit with plenty of designated spots for basking in the sun, as well as a platform that provides a fantastic spot for jumping in the water or taking out some water toys.
SECOND: Silent 62
Solar powered catamarans pioneer Silent-Yachts came under new management in 2022 , with the first project undertaken by new CEO Fabrizio Iarrera and his being the SY62 3-Deck Open. The model was unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September, where it won the World Yachts Trophies ‘Most Efficient Yacht’ award.
This was the next step from the 2-deck version, with the additional open deck combining the benefits of larger catamarans within the compact overall dimensions of the 60 Series. The flybridge opens the opportunity for an impressive outdoor community space full dining area and panoramic views.
Red the Plugboats Sea Trial
The model has 2 electric motors, each providing 180 kW of continuous power (250 hp) and peak power of 340 kW (460 hp). That is plenty for a cruising speed of 6-7 kts. The 350 kWh battery pack is conected with solar arrays on various boat surfaces that provide 16.8 kiloWatt hours peak – about 100 kWh per day.
NOMINEE: Millikan M-9
With a completely FFF range of 8 to 20 hours at speeds between 6 to 9 knots, this French built solar powered catamaran is appropriately named for an American, Robert Millikan, who received the 1923 for his groundbreaking work on photoelectricity.
Not only is the roof of the M9 covered in the solar panels that were developed from his research, but it also has solar wings that spread out from the sides of the boat and increase the energy gathering area by 20%. It is powered by twin 15 kW BlueNav motors and that company’s ‘virtual anchor’ technology that enables the boat to stay in one GPS determined position for as long as the boaters like – to fully the swimming, sunning and dining.
Multiyacht Category
WINNER: MODX 70
The striking and innovative MODX-70 combines electric motors with solar panels and inflatable wingsails to offer a CO2-free sailing experience in luxe surroundings. With a length of 70 feet (21.3 m) and a beam of 33 feet (10m) the expansive space has been beautifully designed with a distinctive profile, sweeping curves and an aft outdoor lounge area that leads to swimming platforms on each pontoon.
The inflatable wing sails are by Aeroforce and use a telescopic, motorized carbon mast designed to automatically deploy with the inflatable wing. Fully automated controls take care of the hoisting, reefing and furling as well as the wing and flap orientation of the 250 m2 of sail area (2,700 sq ft). The two 40 kW (55 hp) electric motors are backed with a 250 kWh LiFePo battery bank that can be charged through hydroregeneration or the 70 m2 (750 sq ft) of solar panels that provide 15 kWp. all of this adds up to an autonomy of 100 miles (177 km / 96 kt) at 5 knots (6 mph / 9.5 kph) – and of course unlimited autonomy with the wing sails (wind permitting!)
NOMINEE: WiderCat 92
Wider builds both catamaran and superyachts, and the Wider 92 incorporates a a smaller scale version of the serial hybrid system used on the larger vessels. Two PMAC electric motors, each providing a whopping 583 kW (800 hp) of peak power, are connected with 30 LiFePO4 battery packs and two 390 kW (530 hp) diesel generators. In ‘ZEM’ (Zero Emission Mode), the technology lets you travel about 27 nautical miles at 6 knots on the battery electric system.
In terms of access to the water, the Wider 92 goes one further than most catamarans, with its ‘Beach Club’ concept. Two platforms unfold from the sides of each pontoon/hull to create a 67 m2 (720 sq ft) platform that wraps around the entire stern area of the yacht’s lower deck.
