Hybrid Boats bringing on-water evolution

This story first appeared in the december issue of evtalk CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

  We’ve all heard of hybrid electric cars – now the same revolution is happening on the water.

Slovenian boatbuilder Greenline is producing a range of hybrid launches which also use solar power and can plug in at the jetty – particularly sedan-style launches, to use another car analogy.

Hybrid Boats is the company’s New Zealand agent, and owner Richard Wardenburg is seeing a transformation in the Kiwi boating fraternity as a result.

Boats are becoming more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the hybrid boats also saving on fuel.

To use his own example, Wardenburg is designing a new solar-powered house at Pauanui into which a boat could be plugged – both to charge up the boat and supply power back to the home.

He’s also got two electric scooters and two electric bikes to use as transport when the launch is moored, perhaps to explore one of New Zealand’s many islands.

The Greenline boats are quick, quiet and you get no fuel fumes or spills, Wardenburg says.

“You can even have an electric barbecue (no gas bottles required), a full fridge-freezer, microwave oven, a television and entertainment set, air conditioning/heat pump – just like in your home.”

The Greenline 39, which won the Boat of the Show launch category at the 2017 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, can sleep six comfortably, has high visibility with toughened glass all around and is single level with good stability even in rough weather.

“That all helps people avoid sea-sickness,” Wardenburg adds.

And don’t say anything to him about it not being a fishing boat!

“It is a serious fishing boat – I’ve caught plenty off it,” he says, adding that for some reason dolphins and orca seem to like being around the boat.
“Fish come in towards it because there’s no noise.”

World-leading production yacht designers J&J Design Studio do all the Greenline designs with less raked bow than most, enabling full use of inside space, and a super displacement low-drag hull.

The hybrid models have a new-generation Volvo 220hp diesel with the 10kW electric motor/generator attached at the back of it – the electric used mainly for cruising at low speeds, manoeuvring and docking.

A lithium-ion battery pack is charged by plugging into a shore socket, using solar power or through the diesel’s alternator.

Wardenburg’s sold about 20 Greenlines in New Zealand and he’s tested each model himself.

He says one owner is also buying a Tesla, which perhaps illustrates the move by a growing number of people into a more sustainable and planet-friendly lifestyle.

Hybrid Boats also specialises in yachts and trailer boats with similar features to the hybrids.

Another advantage of hybrids includes reduced servicing and therefore less service costs.

The story behind Greenline is fascinating too, with owner and chief executive officer Vladimir Zinchenko and his wife leaving Russia in 2004 and sailing from Germany to the Carribbean, travelling for seven years doing six Atlantic crossings and visiting about 60 countries before settling in Slovenia and establishing SVP Yachts.

Zinchenko says lessons learned along the way in making a boat convenient, comfortable and safe are now shared with Greenline.

Wardenburg says an all-electric option is coming soon from Greenline which is setting the pace on the water for sustainable craft.

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