MULTIHULL ENTHUSIAST

est and largest yacht, and it uses battery packs and solar panels to replenish its power supply at sea. It’s also a massive yacht, with a 33’ 6” beam that represents more than half the cat’s length. That means it carries a lot of luxury space, inside and out.

The 62 has sleeping accommodations for nine passengers, plus three crew, who have separate cabins with outside access for privacy. It also has several lounges, two dining areas, an open galley with a bar, and a desk office.

Soel started building solar electric boats in 2016, with a focus on providing maximum efficiency. It now builds an electric ferry as well as a sustainable floating island called Soel Haven. In addition to large catamarans, the company builds the 35-foot Soel Cruiser (pictured below). With just electric power, the Cruiser tops out at 14 knots. With diesel/electric, a hybrid Cruiser hits 17 knots.

The new 62 has integrated solar panels on the roof that generate 17.6 kWp of solar energy, the equivalent of 50 kWh. The solar panels have Soel’s propriety active cooling system. The company says it helps increase the energy production by as much as 20 percent You don’t have to recharge at the dock, but the boat still has DC fast charging in addition to AC shore power.

The 62 comes with two propulsion systems, Cruise, or Power. The Cruise has two 100 kW electric motors, with 282 kWh of lithium battery capacity and a 100 kW DC generator. It cruises at 8 knots and tops out at 10 knots. The Power version has two 200 kW electric motors, with 424 kWh of lithium battery capacity, and a 150 kW DC generator.

You also can add more battery capacity, up to the 564 kWh that theoretically can provide oceancrossing range since the battery pack is constantly being recharged from the solar panels.

Running on just the batteries alone, at 8 knots the 62 has a range of 32 nm with the 282 kWh battery pack; 47 nm with the 424 kWh pack, and 63 nm with the 564 pack.

Specs.: LOA: 61’5”; Beam: 33’6”; Draft: 3’1”; Disp.: 36 tons; Fuel: 264 gals.; Water: 264 gals.; Power: 2×100 kW; 2×200 kW electric motors. Read more

HH 44 HYBRID The new HH 44 Hybrid offers a ocean-capable family cruising boat under 50 feet that comes with a dual power system –diesel and electric—that makes the boat truly self-reliant and independent. Here’s an excellent write up on their website:

The HH44 is a disruptive new market entrant designed for those seeking the perfect balance of style, performance, safety and innovation. The carbon composite parallel hybrid HH44 is a game changing, eco-friendly cruising yacht, poised to win the hearts and minds of early tech adopters, world cruisers and serious sailors alike. The HH44 incorporates all the features that set HH Catamarans apart: excellent sailing performance, robust carbon fiber and epoxy composite construction, exquisite interior fit and finish, and state-of-theart marine equipment. Every line and curve has been carefully considered and executed to create the most beautiful 44ft cruising catamaran on the planet. To meet the ever increasing demand for energy independence, the HH44 has been conceived from the ground up to work with a parallel hybrid system. The HH44’s parallel hybrid provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume-

free motoring, instant torque for maneuverability, and hydroregeneration while sailing, with the ability to switch to a trusty diesel engine when needed. The helms have been positioned in the aft corners which opens up the cabin top for up to 3.2kW of solar panels (+.5kW mounted on the davits) to compliment the hybrid. Propelled by electric motors the boat will do 7.5kts for 2.5 hours; an 18nm range while powered by batteries and sun alone. The hydro-regeneration combined with huge solar array and excellent sailing performance in all wind strengths give the HH44 infinite range. Safety being paramount, the HH44’s redesigned enclosed aft cockpit provides a secure platform to live and operate the boat. Closed transoms and uncluttered side decks make the boat more child and pet friendly. A clean aft beam, with davit winches hidden below and the mainsheet traveler on the cabin top, creates a safer aft cockpit with uninterrupted views aft. Read more

Peter Janssen is the editor of the weekly e-journal Cruising Odyssey where the first five of these reviews first appeared. Cruising Odyssey is for power cruisers and the owners of cruising powerboats. You can visit new e-journal’s website here

You can subscribe for FREE to the weekly e-journal, with the ability to opt-out at any time, and the knowledge that Cruising Odyssey never shares our subscriber list, here.

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Lagoon 42 - February 2016 - Photo Credit: Nicolas Claris

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New additions to the fleet

We have kept our fleet fresh with many new vessels to enjoy. Additions to the fleet this season include: three brand new Lagoon 42’s, a 2016 FP Saba 50, 2017 Lagoon 450 and a 2017 Helia 44 Quatuor Evolution. THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Since 1979 friendly and memorable staff has welcomed our clients, delivering first-hand local knowledge of the British Virgin Islands. Year on year we strive to deliver this experience whilst maintaining a diverse fleet of modern yachts at competitive prices.

All the information you need to book your bareboat charter can be found on our website, www.sailtmm.com

charter@sailtmm.com 1-800-633-0155

For yacht purchase enquiries please contact Don at 1-877-648-6721 or don@sailtmm.com

Representing these fine yacht manufacturers:

The Moorings Yacht Brokerage has the world’s largest selection of pre-owned charter yachts.

2016 LEOPARD 58

Laurel Lee - 6 cabin / 7 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $1,149,000

2017 JEANNEAU 419

Ghalazio III - 3 cabin / 2 head Located in Road Town, BVI Asking $135,000 2017 BENETEAU 48

Meant To Be - 4 cabin / 4 head Located in Road Town, BVI Asking $270,000

2012 BENETEAU 54

Erocridar II - 4 cabin / 3 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $189,000 2018 LEOPARD 40

Tres Bien - 3 cabin / 2 head Located in Saint Martin Asking $400,000

2017 JEANNEAU 519

Deep End - 4 cabin / 4 head Located in Saint Lucia Asking $289,000

2011 BENETEAU 43

Loma IV - 3 cabin / 3 head Located in Saint Martin Asking $119,000 Good Stuff - 2 cabin / 1 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $147,000

2017 JEANNEAU 419

STOCK IMAGE

Athena - 3 cabin / 2 head Located in Tortola, BVI Asking $145,000 2018 JEANNEAU 389