Silent Yachts is synonymous with solar-powered catamarans. The brand ventured into the field of sustainability at an early stage and promoted environmentally friendly technologies. The company was founded in 2009 by Austrians Heike and Michael Köhler. In the same year, the developer couple presented the Solarwave 46, the first prototype of a solar catamaran with electric motors. Since then, the solar-powered multihull has travelled thousands of nautical miles and proven itself on all oceans. Seven years later, the Austrian visionaries launched the first production model, Silent 64, long before other shipyards even considered switching to electric propulsion. The office in Mallorca opened in 2021, and a year later Silent Yachts bought the production site in Fano in north-east Italy. Finally, a partnership with a shipyard in Turkey followed.
The catamarans have been built in modular series production on an area of over 22,750 square metres since March 2024. The most successful model in the shipyard's history is the Silent 64, on which the new Silent 62 is based. It is available in three versions: flybridge, 3-deck open and 3-deck closed.
What makes the solar cats from Silent Yachts so special
With a length of 18.86 metres and a width of 8.99 metres, the catamaran offers plenty of space for up to twelve guests and two crew members. The yacht's main engines deliver a combined output of up to 340 kilowatts and are powered by batteries with a capacity of 207 kilowatt hours. Solar panels installed over a large area collect solar energy and produce up to 16.8 kilowatts peak power. Thanks to the combination of high battery capacity and an efficient solar field, the yachts can be operated almost autonomously from conventional fuels. A 145-kilowatt diesel generator acts as a range extender, guaranteeing additional range, and only kicks in when the battery banks are empty.
The cruising speed of the Silent models is a moderate 7 knots, the top speed is 5 knots higher. High speeds are by no means the focus of Silent Yachts. Instead, the solar cats score points with efficient hull lines and whisper-quiet cruising, without any exhaust fumes. Relaxed gliding in maximum comfort - that is the convincing concept from Fano. As is usual in semi-custom yacht building, customers have a wide range of options when it comes to interior design and layout.
This spring, the news of the shipyard's insolvency shook the industry. This was followed by an abrupt shutdown in Turkey after the contractual partner cancelled the production of all ordered boats. According to the shipyard, this was done "without authorisation".
Restructuring makes production processes easier
This led to a financial bottleneck and ultimately to the bankruptcy of ASAP Trading GmbH, the holding company of Silent Yachts. Liabilities totalled 45.8 million euros. Shareholder loans accounted for 9.3 million euros of this amount. Customer prepayments totalling 25 million euros accumulated without Silent Yachts being able to provide the agreed consideration - the delivery of the yachts. 55 creditors and 36 service providers were affected.
As a result of the insolvency, work processes had to be restructured. The aim was to create a transition from a founder-financed company to a business supported by investors. After a challenging phase, redemption came for the shipyard this spring: Michael Said bought Silent Yachts out of insolvency. Through his investment company Helios Yacht Investment GmbH, he took over all the assets that previously belonged to Silent Yachts - including the intellectual property for the yacht design and the Silent Italia shipyard in Fano. The American-German investor also bought a Silent 62 3-deck and secured 140 jobs with his investment. By keeping production in Fano running, he made it possible to fulfil the remaining orders for the Silent 62 and deliver them promptly.
The new management at Silent Yachts
The Silent Yachts management team was reorganised in parallel with the restructuring process. Fabrizio Iarrera, who in the same role at Monte Carlo Yachts set up modular production and developed a growth strategy for the next five years with Michael Said, is now the Managing Director.
Silent Yachts has ambitious plans: "Our first three-decker has already been launched, with more to follow this year and next. Eight Silent 62s will be delivered in 2025," says the CEO. The first two 80-foot models are also due to be launched in 2025. The new management team at Silent Yachts is looking positively to the future with the current order backlog.
