Yachts are usually pretty environmentally unsound, so the DSe Hybrid just debuted by Island Pilot at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show should be a real breath of fresh air (literally) if green is your thing. And apparently it's really about as eco-friendly as it gets -- using a combination of diesel, solar and electric power (when it goes into commercial production it will also boast wind turbines) the vessel can cruise at up to six knots on a sunny day for an indefinite period of time without any fuel and zero emissions. Possibly best of all (for those like us with delicate ears, anyway), it's virtually silent when not running on fuel. If you need to get somewhere in a hurry however, its Parallel Hybrid Propulsion System in diesel mode will move at up to 13 knots. There are all sorts of "luxury" amenities on board including a 26-inch HDTV and totally ferocious Bose home theater system. Island Pilot is taking pre-orders now (you have to lay down $5,000 just to reserve one) for delivery in 2009, but fair warning: this thing has a price tag of $600,000.
[Via
gizmag]
posted November 3rd 2008 11:58AM
I'd lay down the cash if I had it. The thing can run exclusively on solar power? I don't care if it's only moving at 6 Knots if it's free energy.
I'm considering selling my car, house, and most of my other earthly belongings and devoting my life to my Mistress, The Sea. :P
How can a yacht be eco unfriendly?
"the vessel can cruise at up to six knots on a sunny day for an indefinite period of time without any fuel and zero emissions"
Yes - just like every other yacht I've ever crewed. And it can do that on a cloudy day, and a rainy day, and all through the night as well, as long as there's enough wind.
Ahhh, I get it. It's a motor cruiser, not a "yacht" yacht. I do wish that companies building motor cruisers would stop trying to gain style points by associating their products with real yachts - you know, the ones with sails.
P.S. Click on the read link... it's the ugliest vessel to ever draw water.