New "Halvo" hits Aus

The Greenline Hybrid 33, the cruiser hailed by many old salts as the "new Halvo" family boat, was officially launched at the Sydney International Boat Show on July 29.

Utilising solar, diesel and electric power, the Greenline Hybrid 33 is a single-cabin boat with large entertaining spaces and a "superdisplacement" hull said to give excellent sea keeping ability and remarkable economy.

Powered by a combination of diesel engine and solar-electric generation, the boat won the 2010 European boat of the year and has chalked up several national boat of the year titles since then -- including the Swedish environmental boat of the year and a nomination for an European award for the environment.

Bob Mulkearns, the managing director of local distributor North South Yachting, recently visited the Greenline factory and took a 33 for a sea trial.

"The sea trial showed the boat to have a solid sea keeping motion and she was unbelievably quiet on both electric and diesel motors," Mulkearns told BoatPoint.

"Internal space is excellent and the boat exudes a warm, comfortable and luxurious feel with a high-quality finish. This is a real 21st century boat."

The Greenline Hybrid 33 will be available at a "driveaway" price of $333,333 -- a price that includes a number of option upgrades over the base vessel.