Greenline 40 Electric, the future is now

If you think that electric propulsion for boats is still fantasy, you are absolutely wrong. In fact, the new Greenline 40 Electric Drive marks a milestone in the development of this concept, delivering a trawler that is not only capable of being effectively used every day, but also of dramatically reducing the running costs of yachting.

Important statements that deserved to be verified first-hand. Which is why we drove to Portorož, Slovenia, to test the Greenline 40 Electric Drive in one of the three Test Centres that Greeline Yachts has around the world.

Greenline 40 Electric Drive Sea Trial

On our arrival, the Greenline 40 is there waiting for us, side-moored in the Grenline-reserved area of the marina. It is quite large for a 40-footer, and the generous volumes immediately underline the primary feature of this craft which, it is evident, is designed to be a perfect displacement “family cruiser”.

The ample space available in the bow, on the main deck and below deck, undoubtedly emphasize how it is possible to have, in just 12 metres, everything a family of 4/5 people needs for long-range cruising, in total comfort, with near-zero environmental impact and truly minimal costs.

The two 40 kW/h batteries are charged, the instrumentation reads 97%, we unplug the dock cable from the column, and we are ready to cast off the moorings. The electronic throttles are very precise and it is easy to get out of this corner berth. One blow to the bow thruster and we are off: a piece of cake!

Out of the marina we go in absolute silence, our Greenline 40 Electric proceeding steadily on its course, without rolling, thanks to the stabilizers fitted as standard by the yard. At 5.4 knots we have a range of around 44 miles, which would be much more than we need to travel from one port to another on summer cruises, or simply to go for a swim in our designated anchorage.

At this speed, we consume 8.6 kW, or about 12 horsepower, which is very little to move the eight tonnes of this boat. This is undoubtedly due to the fluid dynamics studies carried out by the shipyard, which has created a hull specifically for displacement cruising, very different from that of planing trawlers, which on the other hand absorb a large amount of power to get out of the water.

The unit we’re testing today is optimized even in terms of weights, which is why it does not have a teak-finished teak. The latter, however, can be installed on demand, choosing from the wide range of customizable options available.

At around 7 knots, a very respectable cruising speed, consumption is around 20 kW and the range drops to 25 miles, which, all things considered, is still a nice range for cost-free cruising.

At 8 knots, i.e. already cruising above its theoretical hull speed, instantaneous consumption is around 35 kW and the range drops to just under 20 miles, while at full throttle the Greenline 40 reaches 11 knots, although, in my humble opinion, this is not the point of this boat, which is resoundingly made to cruise, which it does very well indeed, in displacement mode.

While we are underway, however, right above our heads, there are about two kW of solar panels that recharge the batteries and, if we wish, it is also possible to install a “range extender”, i.e. a generator that, depending on the power chosen, can increase the range at will, until it becomes practically unlimited.

What’s more, the shipyard offers the possibility of building the best configuration the owner prefers, depending on the intended use.

What would be mine? Well, since I spend a month at sea every year in addition to the weekends, rarely entering ports, I would opt for the installation of a generator, strictly variable speed, of about 15 kW. Modern yachts are extremely compact, the average consumption would be between 2 and 4 litres/h, and the range would therefore be unlimited, even between 6 and 7 knots.

But I’m a bit extreme, I realize that, the vast majority of families who go cruising choose to spend the night in port so, in this case, all you have to do is plug in the quayside socket and the next day you are off again with 100% batteries, without even turning the generator on.

Even when at anchor, this Greenline 40 Electric shows great qualities. In fact, the yard has optimized all on-board consumption so that the panels alone are able to carry all the necessary load. There are two air conditioners, assuming there is a need for them given the large number of windows available, divided between the main and the lower deck, each with a consumption of 700W. The fridge is another great masterpiece, it is a domestic type (therefore huge) and consumes only 200W.

In short, a great way of going to sea, Greenline Yachts has created a system that borders on perfection and brings “green” yachting within everyone’s reach.