New SAMAR solar electric yacht marries 21st century tech with timeless Mediterranean hull

Inspired by the llaut boats that have been plying the waters of the Balearic Islands since the Middle Ages, the SAMAR 50 solar electric yacht marries a hull that’s been proven over the centuries with the latest advances in zero emission propulsion. The result is impressive.

The 50 is the first model from SAMAR Yachts, who are based on Mallorca with a name derived from the local words “Sa Mar” — “The Sea”. The company says it reflects the essence of the brand: “to return yachting to its most natural state, where the experience is defined by the sea itself.”

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The llaut is so central to the history of the Balearics that it has been designated an ‘Asset of Cultural Interest’ and is celebrated in various museums around the islands.

Over the centuries llauts have been fashioned for just about every conceivable use: fishing, cargo, transport of consuls and high-ranking dignitaries, leisure, even for combat and smuggling. The hull is simply unmatched for navigating the seas and winds of the Mediterranean.

An incarnation for today’s leisure boater

They have been built in lengths from as little as 4 metres to as many as 60 metres (12 to 200 feet), but the essential design remains the same: a laurel leaf or teardrop shape (viewed from above) and low gunwales to facilitate sailing, rowing, and easy access to the water. Many also had a central opening, or cossia.

Inspired by the history, versatility and efficiency of the llaut, SAMAR has reimagined the form once again to create a 15.8 metre – 50 foot – incarnation for today’s leisure boater.

“This project started with a very clear idea — to create a yacht that allows people to experience the sea in a quieter, more natural way,” said Miguel Rigo, CEO of SAMAR Yachts. “We are not trying to add more complexity, but to remove it. The result is a boat that feels intuitive, efficient and truly connected to its surroundings.”

A key part of experiencing the sea in a quieter, more natural way is the propulsion of the SAMAR 50. There are two propulsion systems available: a serial hybrid using electric motors with diesel generator for range extension; and a parallel hybrid using four motors – two electric and two diesel.

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Update: Out on the SAMAR 50  –  September 2026

I had the opportunity to take a full tour of the SAMAR 50 and go out on a sea trial at the Cannes Yachting Festival. This is an impressive boat that excels at what it is intended to do – provide a way for those on it to have a relaxing time out on the water and enjoy their surroundings to the utmost.

We were out on an evening cruise, from the Vieux Port of the Festival to Isle St. Marguerite, a few kilometres out in the open and a popular spot for boats and boaters of all types.

There were 12 of us on board, and the SAMAR gave us lots of room to break into smaller groups. Most of the time we were gathered under the solar panelled roof in the main salon area. Some were chatting with the pilot – SAMAR co-founder and CTO Stephan Kress – others were seated in the banquette area, some were standing beside the table chatting, and yet others were comfortably seated on the fold-down extensions of the hull. At times others relaxed on the sun-beds at the bow and the stern, which would have been much more popular during a day cruise I am sure.

There are hundreds of boats at the Cannes Festival, and it seemed like most of them decided to go out for sea trials the same time we did. So there were some mildly challenging cross-wakes and swells coming out into the open, but the SAMAR handled them very smoothly, everyone comfortably standing and able to hold their drinks without a spill! After a few minutes we were gliding over calm waters in sweet silence thanks to the twin 50kW electric motors.

The overriding takeaway after being on the boat for several hours is that it is very well designed to make life easy for both the passengers and pilot. It starts with the layout, as noted above, but each of the individual areas enhances the feeling of calm and ease. The cockpit has a large screen with all of the information necessary laid out clearly. The placement of things like the refrigerator, small induction cooktop and storage make entertaining a breeze.

The other thing evident throughout is the quality of the materials and build and the attention to detail. I was particularly impressed by the thermally-modified wood of the tables and other surfaces that that does not have the grain of wood straight from timber, but has the same all of the other attributes including a natural feel.

The SAMAR 50 is so impressive as an on-water experience that it is almost an afterthought to write about the electric propulsion. It is an example of a perfect match between the use of the boat and the application of zero emission technology.

It is designed to go at slow speeds so that you can enjoy time with family and friends and all of the amenities on board. Cruising at 4 to 6 knots (≈ 7.5 kmph/ 4.5 mph) there is very little power used, so with a battery pack of 140 kWh you can cruise for just about as long as you would ever want. On a sunny day the solar roof can deliver 5.4 kWp to allow even more play time.

Having written about the SAMAR back in May, I was eager to see the boat in person. I had high expectations for it, knowing the background of the co-founders, and I am happy to say that it exceeded expectations. When the term ‘pleasure boat’ is used, the SAMAR 50 should leap to top of mind.

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One and a half hours of silent propulsion

The serial hybrid has twin 40 kW (55 hp) electric motors, for a total available power of 80 kW (110 hp). The battery pack stores 139 kWh of energy, enough by ‘rule of thumb’ measurement for the electric motors to operate at full power for about an hour and three quarters (139 kWh ÷ 80 kW = 1.75). SAMAR estimates those motors deliver a top speed of 10 knots (≈ 19 kmph / 12 mph).

There is also a system available with four motors: two 80 kW diesel engines (220 hp total) and two 30 kW electric motors (80 hp). They can give you a higher top speed of 15 kn (≈ 28 kmph / 17 mph), but the only viable reason I can see for wanting that would be to get out quickly to an island or remote piece of water. For me, the whole idea of the SAMAR 50 is not to rush anything but to enjoy every minute on the water at a leisurely pace.

Convenient luxuries

That’s where the designers have done a masterful job of interpreting the functional elements that made the llaut an efficient work boat and turning them into convenient luxuries.

While the low gunwales and cossia may have originally functioned to allow nets to be hauled in or for diplomats to board and disembark with dignity, on the SAMAR 50 they are an essential element for allowing everyone on board access to enjoy the water.

The low profile gives the whole aft area the feel of a floating backyard deck, rather than a boat, particularly when the hull walls are opened out – the cossia idea – to widen the deck area with what I call ‘hull wings’.

Any and all passengers can easily walk from the sunning beds at the bow, through the cockpit and al fresco dining area to relax in the banquette style lounge seats or go a bit further and swim/dive into the water off the stern platforms. The central area is covered with a solar roof that can generate up to 5.4 kWp.

As SAMAR says in their literature: “This configuration (of the serial hybrid AND the deck layout) enables extended periods of silent and emission-free cruising under typical Mediterranean conditions, while significantly reducing reliance on conventional energy sources.”

One other notable modern aspect of the SAMAR 50 is the construction materials. Classic llauts were crafted by master carpenters, ‘masters of aixa‘ who would go into the forests to choose the perfect oak or pine timbers, sometimes even taking into consideration the phase of the Moon for the best time to cut the tree.

It’s perhaps not quite the same dedication, but SAMAR does take the environment into account by using recycled and recyclable aluminium, reflecting a long-term design philosophy focused on durability, serviceability and material efficiency.

By adapting the best of traditional boats and artisanship and combining it with the latest technologies and materials, the SAMAR 50 has created a relaxing on water environment and experience that is both elegant and luxurious in its simplicity and efficiency.

If you would like to experience it yourself, the first SAMAR 50 is now available for charter from Samar Charter in Palma, Mallorca.

SAMAR Yachts website  Samar Charter