Hybrid Yachts

Hybrid yachts are gaining more and more popularity nowadays. In a most common sense, a hybrid yacht is a vessel propelled by two different energy sources. The most common combination of those is diesel and electric power. In this setup, diesel engines, instead of turning propellers through shaft drives, power generators that produce electricity for electric motors that actually rotate the propellers. In the hybrid mode, both the diesel and electric motors are on, reducing fuel consumption. In the diesel mode, the electric motor is off, and the batteries are charging. In the electric mode, the yacht is powered only by electric motors running on batteries, a quiet mode great for maneuvering in marinas or in protected areas. Unfortunately, the speed and range are very limited under the electric motors. 

On large superyachts, electric motors and propellers are assembled in pods under the aft bottom of the bottom known as azimuth thrusters. The pods can rotate to any horizontal angle independently from each other, greatly adding to the maneuverability of a big vessel.

​​Recently, projects with hybrid hydrogen engines have appeared in the megayacht segment. Italian yard Sanlorenzo has signed an exclusive agreement with Siemens Energy to integrate fuel cells in their 79 to 262-foot (24–80 meter) yacht lineup. According to the plan, the hydrogen fuel cells will generate electricity from reformed methanol to power the vessels. Lürssen is working on a similar technology, while Baglietto is going to produce hydrogen from seawater through a system of electrolysers.

We’ve collected production yachts with hybrid propulsion in the itBoat.com digital catalog. To buy a new or used hybrid yacht, leave your contact details on the page of the boat you like. We will connect you with a reliable seller. It is possible to purchase a yacht with hybrid propulsion with crypto on itBoat.com with our escrow service. If you want to buy or sell a hybrid yacht using cryptocurrency, contact us on [email protected] and we will come up with just the solution for you.  

How are hybrid yachts built?

Hybrid yachts can have composite, aluminum, or steel hulls. Composite is used for yachts under 20 meters; all that’s bigger is steel or aluminum. Composite-hulled yachts tend to have sleeker, more streamlined shapes than steel hulls. Composite materials are less heat-conductive, easier to wash, and have better stability on the water, yet they are heavier and weaker than steel. A big downside is that fiberglass is combustible.

Many hybrid yachts have semi-displacement hulls that represent a good compromise between the displacement and planing hull types. The cruising and maximum speeds of semi-displacement yachts are higher than those of displacement yachts at about 15 and 25 knots, respectively.

What types of engines are used on hybrid yachts?

As the name of the category implies, the propulsion systems are hybrid – diesel-electric in most cases. 

Some argue that diesel-electric boats are only nominally eco-friendly, since charging the batteries to power the electric motors still requires firing up the diesel engines. Although battery capacities have grown recently, they are still not enough to power big and heavy vessels for any significant time. In an all-electric mode, the range is still measured in paltry dozens of miles, at snail-like speeds. 

However, even this little is enough to go emissions-free in special nature reserves and to moor silently in quiet marinas. Hybrid yachts are often fitted with solar panels that generate enough electric current to power all onboard amenities and systems at anchor without having to fire up the generator.