PRO NAUTIK - HYBRID TECHNOLOGY ON THE WATER

Pro Nautik is one of the leading dockyards on Lake Constance. The yacht builder come repairer has been around since 1985. The company has at its disposal a comprehensive experience base regarding hybrid yachts and is one of the first dockyards to approach the topic of sustainability with Greenline Yachts.

Yves Bosshart, Pro Nautik owner and CEO, today heads a team of 40 employees and qualified specialists who take care of service, maintenance, warehousing, sales and consultation.

What has fundamentally changed in the yachting sector in 30 years? In the past yacht owners would start small. Today it’s not uncommon for them to think big right at the outset; it’s not unusual for their first yacht to be a 36 footer (10 m).

Because handling the yachts has become easier? That’s definitely the case. The technical support and associated training is on a much higher level. Also the docking berths, which still remain a rare resource, have become larger.

So, as in the case of the motor vehicle industry, technology is taking on greater importance in the yacht building industry? Yes, the manual navigation and lighting that yachties were satisfied with not so long ago, has been superseded by fully electronic cockpits. Now night-vision devices, chart plotters with GPS and autopilots are the norm.

Obviously this also poses new challenges in the training of staff? That’s right. We had to step up the electronics department. We ourselves train interns.

GREENLINE

The first hybrid yachts by Greenline in around 2008 to 2009 were quite revolutionary really? Definitely. And Greenline is still the market leader today. Key to this has been the development of a so-called displacement hull (Note: inspired by the low-drag hulls of the sailing boat industry). This gave the yacht greater stability, made for optimal seaworthiness with less resistance. It meant energy needs; operating costs and the carbon footprint could be reduced. The combo of diesel and electric drive in combination with the energysaving hull was a complete success story.

Does that mean it’s not about speed here? No, it’s about comfort. On average they’ll do six to eight knots. The trip becomes the destination and because of that, most trips are conducted sound-free and smoke-free to complete the calm on the water.

What size range do the yachts come in? Up to 45 feet (almost 14 m) in Switzerland. 65 m ocean-going yachts are available.

JEANNEAU

What’s been happening in the sailing yacht industry in the past few years? We offer both Bavaria and Jeanneau yachts. Electronics has also made its entrance here, which makes it easy for newcomers. The new Jeanneau Odyssey 410 has just arrived and some of the features really come into their own on our lakes.

Which would be? It has a walk-around deck (barrier-free side deck) whereby you can reach the bow from the cockpit climband stair-free. This is quite revolutionary for a yacht in the 12 m class and had it clinch the British Yachting Award in 2019. In the underwater area the bilge edges go all the way through from the bow to the stern. This has the yacht looking spectacular and sporty.

The best feature is of course the lift keel? Precisely, in our waters it is obviously a huge advantage if the 3 m keel can be folded up to 1.40 m. This allows for manoeuvring in shallow waters and facilitates entering smaller harbours.

If one were to compare the interior of the two types of yachts…? Which one shouldn’t. Jokes aside, the Greenline yachts are veritable vacation homes on the water with 2 m high fridges in turn fed by solar panels on the roof. It definitely makes for staying power, but having said that, the new Jeanneau does have a spectacular light-flooded lounge with a chaise longue.

New innovations for 2021? That’s top secret – they’re in the pipeline every year.

WWW.PRO-NAUTIK.CH

8590 Romanshorn | Switzerland

Greenline 45 Fly: unten li. Plattform - rechts Küche und Salon - unten re. Master Cabin Sea view

Greenline 45 Fly: Küche und Salon

Greenline 45 Fly: Master Cabin Sea view