Sunreef teases Zero Cat, its zero-emissions sailing flagship
The world gets its first look at Sunreef's wind- and hydrogen-powered luxury cruiserSunreef has teased the first computer-generated images of the Sunreef Zero Cat, its new flagship sailing super-catamaran that, aside from the wind, will also generate its own fuel to power its onboard electric motors.
The new 90-foot (27.3-metre) design will incorporate solar panels and a hydrogen reformer to convert methanol into hydrogen.
It’s likely that the hydrogen produced will be burned inside a fuel cell rather than a conventional internal combustion engine converted for the task – the words accompanying the images say the Zero Cat will “generate net zero emissions, no nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides” and have “ low noise and vibration levels, as well as low maintenance” hinting the fuel cell will convert the hydrogen to electricity.
The Sunreef Zero Cat has wavebreaker-style hulls and a large trampoline in front of the forward cockpit. Narrow side decks run aft.
The saloon deck appears large and filled with natural light via the deep glass panes that ring it, while overhead a flybridge deck covered by a solar panel-inlaid hard top features what looks like a relaxation space, sail controls and the helm, and more solar panels integrated into the saloon top forward of the mast step.
The flybridge deck appears to extend over the rear cockpit, with a large swim platform that rises up to deck level suspended between the Portofino-styled transoms.
No other details, especially for the Sunreef Zero Cat’s interior, were revealed.
When it launches, the Zero Cat will be 29.4 metres long and with a beam of 12.3 metres. Inside and below decks, it will accommodate up to 10 people.
When it launches, the Sunreef Zero Cat will become the flagship environmentally conscious model of the Polish power and sailboat maker.
Part of the philosophy is to build its yachts with high-performance hulls that minimise drag, reducing weight through the extensive use of carbonfibre, lithium batteries and solar technology developed and made in-house, and better insulation below decks to reduce the need for temperature stabilisation.
The boats are even built to collect rainwater that can be used to wash down the decks and ground tackle.
Sunreef is also working on a new line of hybrid-powered catamarans that will fall under the Ultima model range name, as well as the 40M Explorer Eco, a powered bluewater cruising catamaran made from a mix of aluminium and composite materials that is tailored for exploration – think extended living aboard.
The boat is pretty much made with an outer skin of solar panels that will power twin 400kW electric motors, with two 300kW “range extender” diesels able to recharge the 990kWh of batteries on board that will be used to turn the electric motors.
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