Phillippe Briand SY200: The Performance of a Racing Yacht With Zero Emissions

The yachting and cruise industry contributes significantly to the pollution of the seas and oceans, even if it can be difficult to forget about it as you chill on board a private superyacht or an all-inclusive cruise. Exhaust emissions, noise, wastewater and solid waste are just some of the ways in which this means of travel contributes to an already severe problem: the degradation of the Earth’s waters.

The superyacht industry has already started taking notice of it and is working towards greener, more efficient vessels that ditch traditional means of propulsion and incorporate means to dispose of garbage and waste through recycling or reuse. The SY200 fits right in.

SY200 is just a concept for the time being, but given the boom in interest in greener means of travel, whether on water or on land, being commissioned to be built is probably a matter of time. Its name is derived from its impressive size: it’s 200 feet long and is meant to be the “little sister” of the SY300, Briand’s first in the family of self-sufficient performance yachts.

The SY200 is a stunner, as newly released renders reveal. More impressively, it comes with the performance of a racing yacht and no impact on the environment, because it’s powered entirely by wind.

Designed with minimal hull lines and expansive decks, the SY200 comes with a decidedly contemporary look with a minimalist, fresh approach. The future owner will be able to customize it to his own liking, but the basic layout features 4 spacious guest cabins and a master suite that takes up an entire deck, and comes with his and hers bathrooms, office space, and private terrace with jacuzzi and open views of the ocean. Below deck, the SY200 has living space for up to 12 crew members.

Guest areas are available on both decks, and there’s a huge skylight that covers 80 percent of the length of the vessel, providing shelter from the elements and natural light, along with a view of the carbon fiber mast above. The owner’s aft steering station is designed as a place for guests to socialize, but there’s also a table seating 16 in the cockpit, protected by a hardtop.

Unlike many of today’s superyachts, the SY200 doesn’t feature a pool or expansive entertainment areas. But it more than makes up for that by being completely emissions-free: it sails by the power of wind thanks to the sloop sailing rig, which works in combination with the slightly inverted bow to deliver top hydrodynamic efficiency.

Underwater turbines can charge the batteries on board: Briand says the vessel will be fitted with a 20-metric ton battery bank, more than enough to power the entire ship.

In optimal conditions, the sails could harness power from the wind and generate 2,000 kW, allowing the yacht to reach top speeds of 20 knots. The underwater turbines will capture kinetic energy and store it in the battery bank: when the SY200 is sailing at 15 knots, they would generate about 500 kW, while a more leisurely speed of 12 knots would generate 200 kW.

When docked, the SY200 would power silently, using the energy generated while sailing and stored in the battery bank.

“I believe we need to embrace ‘lateral thinking’ when it comes to the future of sailing yacht design,” Briand says of the new concept, as cited by Superyacht Times.

“We want to work alongside owners to create the perfect renewable energy machine, using only wind, water and solar energy to run the yacht and provide an exceptional experience of peace on board and exploration of the sea,” he adds.

Briand is convinced the SY200 would appeal to the eco-conscious seafarer, but he or she would have to be willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries of modern sailing in the process. While this concept superyacht stands out for its sleek and elegant design, the focus on its reduced carbon footprint and efficiency translate into fewer amenities than today’s millionaire might expect on board such a vessel.