Solar Impact Catamaran With SWATH Technology Is Smooth, Silent, Gorgeous

The yachting industry, for all the billions that it swallows or, perhaps, despite this, is a major source of pollution. Cruise ships are by far the biggest polluters, but personal yachts are not exactly guilt-less either.

Solar Impact Yachts plans to change that with its solar-powered catamarans. Solar-powered cats are not exactly a novelty – Silent Yachts has been at the forefront of the solar “revolution” for a while now – but the Cat 80 from Solar Impact does bring something new to the table. It’s the result of five years of hard work, and it’s possible thanks to SWATH hull technology.

SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) tech isn’t exactly new either, but its implementation in a luxury cat is. It’s been around since the late ‘30s in specialty ships and consists of two torpedo-shaped floats under the surface of the water, generating buoyancy. These floats reduce rolling, heeling, and vertical movements by up to 90 percent, as compared to conventional ships, and they also improve efficiency.

“The desired effect of this design is a significant minimization of heel and roll angles due to a much smaller waterline area (e.g. compared to a catamaran of the same size),” Solar Impact notes. “The area that can be affected by a wave is therefore much smaller. Actively controlled fins also support the stability of the vessel. The stability of the floating object is therefore less affected by surface currents and waves than with classic construction methods.”

This means that Cat 80, which has also been referred to as Solar Impact cat, is more stable and sails more smoothly than any other catamaran on the market right now. Add to this the fact that it’s solar-powered, with generators for backup on less than sunny days, and a luxurious interior, and you get the perfect vessel for a millionaire looking to decrease his or her carbon footprint without giving up the sense of adventure.

With an aluminum hull, Cat 80 measures 23.8 meters (78 feet) and has a beam of 9.9 meters (32.4 feet). The living area on board is 220 square meters (2,153 square feet) across three decks, including a large flydeck that offers breathtaking panoramic views and doubles as open-plan living/dining/lounge room. Accommodation is for ten guests in total, with a master suite forward and four twin or double cabins below with ensuite bathrooms. A small cabin for the captain and two crew is also available.

Granted, this is nothing as glamorous as what you find on board a superyacht, but it’s luxury in a condensed form, with the invaluable extra of coming at a guilt-free conscience and low running costs.

The folding hardtop, coachroof, and folding wings are covered in 300 square meters (3,229 square feet) of solar panels that power the 800kWh battery pack and twin 500 kW electric motors. This means smooth, completely silent, and emissions-free sailing.

And speed is not that bad, either. The top speed is 22 knots over short periods, with a cruising speed of 18 to 20 knots and a range of 10 hours battery life. At a much slower speed of 5 knots, the Cat 80 has unlimited range. Twin 70kVA rotary-engined generators serve as backup in cloudy weather.

“Clear lines and attractive shapes for the eye,” Solar Impact says of the entire, irresistible package that is Cat 80. “Freedom, exclusivity and privacy for the soul. A concept that invigorates all the senses while providing relaxation. After an eventful day at sea, you can enjoy the pleasant peace and quiet in the owner’s suite or in the guest cabins. The equipment and design possibilities of the interior, the light, climate and sound experience leave nothing to be desired and can be adapted to your ideas.”

The Cat 80 was officially unveiled at the 2019 Boot Düsseldorf show and is currently under construction. Designed by Roland Friedberge, it is being built at the Schaaf Yachtbau yard at a cost of €7.2 million ($8.8 million), before VAT.