Owning a superyacht is a great way to travel the world in complete privacy while getting to enjoy experiences otherwise inaccessible to those not lucky (and rich) enough to own such a vessel. But yacht ownership doesn't have to pollute and contribute to making things worse for our planet, though it usually does.
Electric yachts are still a niche product on the maritime market, but the good news is that their number is growing. Established shipyards are also working to integrate greener tech into their large-scale builds in a move toward sustainability and efficiency, but progress is much slower here. Meanwhile, electric yachts stand in a class of their own: smaller vessels with a minimal carbon footprint and the ability to sail in perfect silence.
For all their innovative features, electric yachts are also striving to prove that sustainability can – and really is – just as luxurious as what you'll find in traditional diesel-engine vessels.
Whereas some yacht owners choose to stand out from the crowd by taking the "bigger is better" approach, Sialia Yachts would like to point them in a different direction. "Greener is better" could work as a company motto for Sialia, and the Sialia 80 Explorer serves as their most stunning showing.
Photo: Sialia Yachts
The Sialia 80 Explorer was introduced earlier this month as the "world's most advanced explorer yacht" because it's a fully-electric vessel with incredible autonomy (3,000 nautical miles/3,452 miles/5,556 km) and the ability to travel to restricted areas where larger polluting vessels would be barred from.
This Explorer is also proof that progress in electric yachts comes in a very sleek, gorgeous package that makes no compromises in terms of luxury features.
It's the best of both worlds, if you will. You still get the same super-fancy features you'd expect with the superyacht-owning experience, but every day out at sea is guilt-free because the vessels emit no emissions and no noise. As a bonus, the Explorer's gorgeous silhouette and distinctive styling make it an easily recognizable and memorable appearance in any marina. Say what you will about green credentials, but appearances still matter.
Photo: Sialia Yachts
The Sialia 80 Explorer is based on the Vripack naval architecture but shares the same DNA with all other Sialia custom electric yachts in that it's powered by their proprietary state-of-the-art AMPROS propulsion system. The result is a vessel that Sialia Yachts describes as their "most advanced vessel to date," combining solid performance with impressive autonomy, luxury, and comfort, and a focus on aesthetics made possible through the collaboration with Vripack.
Fancy words aside, the Sialia 80 Explorer is a stunner and a single look at it can confirm it. Unlike other fully electric yachts, this is a mono-hull and not a catamaran, so it's sleek and has a very sporty stance on water. The aluminum superstructure features a geometric diamond pattern that adds personality and expansive mullion-less windows for a sportier, sleeker, and more futuristic look.
The layout is described as "playful," with open-plan spaces and plenty of relaxation areas. Accommodation onboard is for as many as 12 passengers across four cabins and a crew of two in separate quarters. The owner's suite comes with direct access to the oversize beach club and the water. The Sialia 80 Explorer isn't big enough to have a private terrace with a swimming pool for the owner, so it's offering him the entire ocean instead. It'll do.
Photo: Sialia Yachts
Other highlights include a large formal area for dining right above the beach club, protected from the elements yet still outside. This seems to be the main theme of the design: to offer guests an outdoorsy experience wherever they're on the vessel, including when they're inside. Expansive glazing (and probably some sliding glass doors) will help with that, too.
The sun deck is designed exclusively for entertaining, with lounges for sun worshippers and a very neat conversation nook at the bow. Sialia Yachts is yet to release renders of the interior, but they'll probably match the expectations set by this beautiful exterior.
Power for the Sialia 80 Explorer comes from dual 400kW motors drawing power from an 800 kWh battery pack and 2 variable RPM range extenders for redundancy and extra reliability. With a total length of 26.6 meters (90 feet) and a width of 8.50 meters (27 feet), this beautiful explorer can cruise in territorial waters and Environmentally Controlled Areas (ECA) with the same ease.
Photo: Sialia Yachts
Speaking of cruising, Sialia Yachts estimates a 6-knot (6.9 mph/11.1 kph) cruising speed and a maximum speed of 11 knots (12.6 mph/20.3 kph). It's not the fastest explorer out there, but that's because it's not trying to be. Instead, the Sialia 80 Explorer aims to be the luxury leisure craft that delivers "all the autonomy needed to travel the world in ultimate tranquility and safety," and that should trump the ability for breakneck speeds.
Sialia has yet to mention an estimated delivery date for the first unit of the Sialia 80 Explorer or, for that matter, a price range. But from what we've seen with similarly-sized electric yachts, they're priced like niche luxury products, so start saving up if you like what you see.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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