Silent Yachts confirms three Silent 79 catamarans under construction

Austrian yard Silent Yachts has announced that construction has begun on three models of its Silent 79 Cruiser series.

Two units of the 24-metre (79-foot) solar-powered catamaran model have been sold to date, the first of which is due to be delivered in 2020. The news comes after the Silent Yachts’ 16.7-metre (55-foot) 55 model was presented at Cannes Yachting Festival.

All three of the builds are taking place at the Consorzio Navale in Marotta in Italy and have been designed inside and out by Marco Casali of Too Design. The Silent 79 Cruiser concept was created by Michael Köhler and features naval architecture by Enrique Castilla of Insenaval. 

Powered entirely by solar energy captured by its flybridge panelling, the Silent 79 boasts a “clean and timeless” design, with “straight lines of huge windows” allowing for plentiful natural light.

The social areas on board are situated forward and aft, while the cockpit is equipped with a lounge and bar. The forward area is equipped with a sea-facing sofa and sunpads.

Marco Casali noted, "Solar power is about square metres, so we need to dedicate as much surface to the solar panels as possible, while keeping the overall balance in shape. What I tried to achieve is an interesting Italian design, sophisticated and refined.”

Power comes from a pair of 250 kW engines for a top speed of 20 knots. She is capable of travelling at six to seven knots in complete silence, with unlimited range passing 100 nautical miles a day. A hybrid power version is also on the market, which includes the combination of a pair of 220hp motors with two 14 kW diesel engines.

The 79 model comes available in an array of different layouts and can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests across five cabins. These can either incorporate a double bed or two singles. The owner’s front cabin features an en suite and walk-in office with a desk, locker storage and large mirror. The first unit has a four-cabin configuration with two “owner” cabins.

Capitalising on the lack of an engine room, the Silent 79 has enough space to store a 4.5-metre tender, amphibious car and gyrocopter on floats, which chief executive Michael Köhler said “is quite impressive for a yacht under 24 metres long”.

He added, “Inside, the Silent 79 is designed to provide maximum comfort to owner and guests who spend months on board in long, happy voyages.”

For more information, Silent Yachts. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.