Soel Senses 48 electric catamaran launched
Want that warm, fuzzy guilt-free feeling while cruising? This 14.5-metre high-end cruising cat could be your thingSolar electric catamaran specialist Soel Yachts has revealed an all-new 48-foot model that doesn’t need to rely on any fossil fuels for its owners to make the most of the water.
The Soel Senses 48, as the new boat is known, is purpose-built as an electric boat, featuring slender hulls that cut down on drag and lightweight fibreglass construction.
The roof of the catamaran is given over to a 2.7kWp solar array – similar to what you’d expect to see on the roof of a suburban house – feeding into a pair of batteries.
Owners can choose a version of the 14.5-metre eco-cruiser fitted with either the standard pair of 71kWh batteries powering two 40kW electric motors to give a range of 30nm at a 10-knot cruising speed, or go for the extended range pack featuring twin 142kWh batteries powering 100kW electric motors, giving a range of 56nm at 10 knots cruising speed.
Netherlands-based Soel said the deck space of the Soel Senses 48 was designed for comfort, flexibility and spaciousness.
“A large seating area offers space to lounge and enjoy barbecues and dinners with the group,” it said.
“Two individual pieces of the bench can be taken out and used freely, for example as extra seating at the dining table.
“While the back doors can be fully opened, the different seating areas from inside and outside connect together as one open space.
“The cushy sunbathing area in front offers a more private area to relax in the sun.”
Soel said the Soel Senses 48 also had plenty of storage space for equipment and watersport gear and toys.
Overnighting is via double cabins, complete with ensuites, built into each of the hulls, with extra sleeping spaces via making a few tweaks to the seating in the saloon.
Energy-sapping air-conditioning is available as an option, although Soel said the saloon did provide plenty of natural airflow.
Happily for the skipper, the bar backs onto the fully electronic helm station that doesn't even feature an analogue compass.
Standard features include a forward boarding plank, a JL audio system, LED lighting throughout, forward sun lounge, synthetic teak decking, galley, dinette and lounges.
Soel Yachts, which formed in 2016 and has already sold a number of smaller solar-powered catamarans, said it could deliver the Soel Senses 48 “anywhere in the world” – which we’d guess includes Australia.
Specifications
Model: Soel Senses 48
Length: 14.5m
Beam: 5.1m
Draft: 0.7m
Displacement: 9900kg
Speed: 10kt (cruise)/12kt (Vmax, 40kW)/18kt (Vmax, 100kW)
Passengers: 6 + 2 crew
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