Silent 60 & Silent Tender 400 for Cannes

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The Silent 60

Silent-Yachts has confirmed that it will stage the boat show debut of the Silent 60 at the Cannes Yachting Festival, which will also mark the world premiere of the Silent Tender 400.

Several units of the Silent 60 have been launched, with the first unit narrowly missing last year’s Cannes show. The unit on display this year is fitted with a kite wing, a light, compact, easy-to-use system that generates up to 10 times more power per square metre than a conventional sail, according to Silent-Yachts.

Operating the kite wing

Launched from a fold-away mast structure on the foredeck, the kite wing can pull the 30-tonne Silent 60 with a speed of 4-5 knots and reduces the consumption of the e-motors, so extending the range. If a fishing line gets entangled in the propellers, for example, the kite can also serve as reserve propulsion, enabling the boat to get to a protected place where the rope can be cut and the prop set free.

The kite wing backs up the Silent 60’s impressive green credentials. The solar powered catamaran carries 42 solar panels for 17kWp of solar energy to drive two electric motors, each up to 340kw.

The kite wing can pull the Silent 60 at 4-5 knots

With a battery capacity of up to 286kWh, the yacht can cruise efficiently with zero emissions solely on solar power for up to 100nm a day for weeks. Featuring a new, high-performance hull form with a longer waterline and reverse bow, the yacht has a cruising speed of 6-8 knots, but can reach up to 20 knots.

Guest accommodation comprises four guest cabins on the lower deck including a spacious master suite, but other layout solutions are available. There are numerous social areas on board including an airy main saloon, aft cockpit, flybridge and cosy bow area. The yacht also has high headroom throughout, up to 2.32m in the saloon.

The Silent Tender 400

The first Silent Tender will also be on display in Cannes. The ST400 model is 4m long and built of carbon-fibre. It can be lifted out of the water and stored on the hydraulic stern platform of the Silent 60 and then recharged with solar energy produced by the Silent yacht.

It’s available with two different electric drivetrains. Option one is an electric jet drive. Alternatively, the ST400 can also be equipped with a conventional electric outboard engine with up to 30kW. Both systems enable a top speed of above 20 knots. A larger Silent Tender is already being planned.

Michael Köhler, founder and CEO of Silent-Yachts, said: “I’m immensely proud of what Silent-Yachts has achieved over the years and the first Silent Tender 400 is just the latest innovation in our sustainability journey.

“After starting with research into solar yacht technology, we have evolved and expanded both our product lines and production space. But we remain true to our roots of harnessing new technology and clean energy to promote sustainability.”