With solar power plus wind: 62 E-cat from Silent Yachts crosses the Atlantic

The 19 metre long solar cat "100%" has proven that it is possible to cross the Atlantic under engine power and almost without fossil fuels. The journey began in Gibraltar in mid-November last year - the route led via Morocco, the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean. Antigua was reached on 12 December 2025, after 3,800 nautical miles.

The aim was not to be as fast as possible, but to travel with the power of the sun and wind and consume as little diesel as possible. On board were three Wingit soft kites with a surface area of ten square metres, similar to those used by other kitesurfers. Silent Yachts deliveries to assist with propulsion. For owners Jay and Rebecca Dollries, the venture was far more than just a technological experiment - it fulfilled a long-standing dream of crossing the Atlantic in their own yacht.

The owner's dream

Jay in particular had spent four years preparing for this adventure. He was accompanied on board by his long-time friend and adventure partner Randy Lane and Will Mitchell, the captain of the "100%", for whom this was the first Atlantic crossing. The crew was completed by engineer and kite surfer Michael Scherdel and Steve Bell, Vice Chairman of Silent Yachts. This was Bell's third Atlantic crossing, but his first on board a Silent Yachts catamaran. The Flagship from Silent Yachts.

The ocean crossing provided the perfect opportunity to test all systems under real-life conditions. Four key technologies formed the backbone of the journey: highly efficient solar modules that generated 50 to 60 kWh on optimal days, liquid-cooled LFP batteries that supplied the propulsion and on-board systems with power, the electric motors and a diesel generator that started up to recharge the batteries when there was not enough solar energy available. The daily energy requirement was between 350 and 600 kWh, depending on the cruising speed.

Technology under real conditions

Towards the end of the journey, however, the crew also started up the range extenders "because they wanted to arrive a few days earlier," reveals Steve Bell. During the long crossing, the shipyard manager was as relaxed as if the 19-metre cat had long been moored in a dream Caribbean bay. Unfortunately, the fifth technology was not used as planned and all three kites broke. "It didn't work as we thought it would," admits Bell.

"The operation requires some preparation and practice," says Stephan Schröder, CEO of Wingit Kite Boat Systems, who has been following the journey of the "100%". He and his team are already developing new models, including for an 80-footer. The kite's bottom line is positive: the additional propulsion was clearly noticeable in the short flight times: the kite saved around 15 kilowatts of e-power - and theoretically 100 litres of diesel per day. Along the way, the crew learnt a lot about handling, and setting and retrieving the kite was also a good activity. According to Bell, some of them went kitesurfing in the middle of the ocean.

Silent Yachts makes data collection transparent

The world was able to follow what was happening on board on a daily basis. The shipyard based in Fano shared daily data on solar yield, consumption and system performance transparently on a website (www.silentatlantic.com) and on social media. Photos and videos show the crew fishing and handling the kites, for example.

In addition, extensive operating data was collected during the crossing that goes far beyond what could be communicated in real time. The company is analysing this data and intends to publish it gradually.

Everyday life on the high seas

"Life on board was quiet," commented Steve Bell after arrival. "Relaxed cruising, shared meals and long conversations, moments of silence looking at the horizon and TV evenings when the weather permitted." The crew kept to a simple daily routine, with workouts on the flybridge and regular system checks.

In 2018, Silent Yachts was the first shipyard to complete a solar-powered Atlantic crossing with the Silent 64. The successful voyage of the "100%" reaffirms the company's mission to enable independence at sea through clean technology. "Very few owners will ever cross an ocean," said Bell. "But knowing that their yacht can do so sustainably, reliably and with minimal fuel consumption offers real peace of mind."

Technical data SY 62 3-Deck Open:

• Length: 18.9 m
• Solar power: 50-60 kWh on optimal days
• Daily energy requirement: 350-600 kWh (depending on speed)
• Drive: Electric motors with diesel generators
• Battery type: liquid-cooled LFP batteries