Silent 60 launches new era for Silent-Yachts

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Now based in Spain, hull one of the Silent 60 was built by PMG Shipyard in Thailand

The Silent 60 is the first in a new wave of models by Silent-Yachts that build on the brand’s 55 and its earlier 64, the first solar-powered production yacht to cross the Atlantic. Conceived by company founder and CEO Michael Kohler, the Silent 60 was designed by Pattaya-based Dr Albert Nazarov and constructed in nearby Rayong by PMG Shipyard (Shipyard, Issue 61).

The Silent 60 is a true bluewater vessel that offers a cruising speed of 6-8 knots with any of its propulsion options along with a draft of just over 3ft, less than her predecessors and ideal for exploring shallow bays.

The Silent 60 features 42 powerful 17kWp solar panels on the roof of the superstructure and flybridge

The first hull is based at Port Adriano, the Philippe Starck-designed marina on the southwest coast of Mallorca, the biggest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. Silent-Yachts selected Port Adriano as the Mediterranean hub for the brand, opening its office there last year and inviting Yacht Style for a tour aboard its newest model.

“Mallorca is an increasingly popular destination for Silent-Yachts owners and there will soon be a fleet of Silent vessels based in Port Adriano including a 55 and this brand-new 60, while a Silent 80 will also have her homeport here when she’s ready,” Marketing Director Franz Bose told Yacht Style.

SURPRISE PACKAGE

On a very calm, sunny Mallorquin autumn afternoon, the view of the Silent 60 from the dock was impressive, with her generous beam of 9m (29ft 6in) exactly half her overall length.

The large hydraulic platform can hold a tender of up to 4m and 350kg

Aft, the large hydraulic platform can hold a tender of up to 4m and 350kg, while the swim platforms either side are sizeable yet there’s an option for extended versions on the Silent 62, which are able to carry a pair of electric jetskis. On the hull sides, the long, clean window stripe is as elegant as it is practical, flooding the interior spaces with light.

Stepping aboard, the aft cockpit is partially shaded courtesy of the flybridge overhang and has thoughtfully designed social spaces that include comfortable seating and dining for eight guests.

The easily adjustable aft sofa can face forward or aft

Furniture includes an aft sofa with an adjustable backrest that can offer seating with unobstructed views out over the open water. The adjacent drinks cooler means you don’t have to leave your seat to enjoy refreshments while taking in the view. A little further forward, both port and starboard side passageways have cosy, recessed upholstered nooks for relaxing.

Venturing up, the flybridge features a helm station, more upholstered seating, a foldable coffee table and huge sun pads.

The covered flybridge provides a beautiful vantage point

There’s also the best view of most of the 42 powerful 17kWp solar panels on the roof of the superstructure, which power the twin 250kW high-efficiency motors that keep this impressive eco-cruiser and all her systems moving.

The Silent 60 is the first build from Silent that offers a Wingit kite wing option, which enables to the yacht to harness the power of the wind as well as from solar energy. Stowed in the bow, the kite wing can pull the vessel forward at 4-5 knots, further reducing the consumption of the electric motors.

Stored in the foredeck, the Wingit kite wing on hull one helps tow the yacht, adding an extra 4-5 knots

Plentiful storage, which proves to be another key feature throughout the vessel, is even evident in the aft cockpit where hatches conceal deep lockers to easily stow additional water toys.

CHOICE SALOON

Sliding glass doors welcome you into the saloon, where the focus is on open-plan living. The Silent 60 is available with two main-deck layouts.

Doors slide wide open to connect the cockpit to the interior, which features a full-width galley aft

As seen on hull one, the front-master or ‘closed’ version has a full-beam master suite forward, while the front-exit or ‘open’ option has a larger saloon and a foredeck door, with all cabins in the hulls.

Stepping inside the first Silent 60, noticeable immediately in comparison to the Silent 55 is the huge amount of extra headroom, which reaches a lofty 2.3m, giving the already generous 520sqft saloon and galley an even more expansive feel.

The bright main-deck interior features a galley, saloon, helm station and forward master cabin

The full-width galley is well equipped with an electric powered induction hob, oven with grill and microwave, coffee maker and a huge American-style fridge freezer with ice-maker to starboard.

Upping the sustainability ante even further, drinking water is on-tap courtesy of an on-board water maker. No plastic bottles wanted here!

The raised lounge and dining table to port enjoys good views all around

To port, the large, comfortable L-shaped seating area and dining table is ideal for sociable family-style meals and can double as a workspace. To starboard, the main helm station has a 360-degree view and seating for two.

COMFORTABLE CABINS

Forward, the luminous, full-beam master cabin is an expansive 215sqft and includes a king-size bed, vast amounts of storage, hanging space, shelving and a vanity with an oversize mirror.

The forward master cabin has steps down to its en-suite bathroom to starboard

To starboard, stairs lead down to a generous en-suite bathroom that houses a large shower, cushioned seating, basin with mirror and ample storage.

A similar theme runs throughout the guest cabins, all of which are well lit, have en-suite bathrooms and contain generous amounts of cleverly designed storage to maximise the space and comfort. In this layout, here are two guest doubles on the port side and a larger VIP cabin with sofa at the aft end of the starboard hull.

Guest cabins comprise a VIP to starboard (pictured) and two twin cabins to port

This cabin is the master suite in the ‘open’ main deck layout, which has private stairs for both cabins on the starboard side, while the two cabins to port – the larger one is forward – share a staircase. However, cabin configurations are flexible and Silent-Yachts offers an extensive options list and opportunity to customise.

Due to demand, the Silent 60 is in production across shipyards in Thailand, Italy and Turkey along with its sister model, the 62 3-Deck, which has a full 540sqft flybridge that can either be open or partially enclosed.

The first Silent 60 heads back to its base in Port Adriano

And with the first units of the Silent 80 and 80 3-Deck also launching in 2022 and the first Silent 120 in build, Silent-Yachts’ biggest challenge is delivering on the fast-growing demand for zero-emissions yachting that it’s helping popularise.