Greenline Yachts is known for its hybrid drive, but also builds diesel-powered boats. Right?
Yes, about half of our sales are actually accounted for by pure diesel models and the other half by diesel-electric hybrids. One or two boats a year also have a purely electric drive. The market for diesel yachts in the 39-58 foot category is very competitive, but Greenline's boats stand out from the crowd. Our technology makes a boat with a diesel engine more comfortable, more user-friendly and more fuel-efficient.
In what way is a diesel yacht from Greenline Yachts more comfortable than those of the competition?
What distinguishes a Greenline conventional diesel drive from other diesel boats is above all the way in which we manage the energy on board. Thanks to our solar roofs, the boats have an always available and free energy source, which is standard on all our models. Secondly, we also offer the option of additional battery banks in which the energy coming from the roof or generated by the diesel engine can be stored. The crew can then use this energy later at anchor to silently run the air conditioning and induction cooker in hotel mode. This means that the generator is used much less, which reduces diesel consumption and maintenance costs. In addition, the owners enjoy greater comfort as there is no noise, exhaust pollution or vibrations.
In your opinion, is this technology fully developed?
Yes and no. Our energy management system is unique and, with our extended Power Pack, offers up to 48 hours of silent operation at anchor. We equip every model with solar panels on the superstructure as standard, which can generate several kilowatts of electricity on a hot summer's day. But of course the technology is still being improved - led by advances in the automotive and renewable energy industries.
When I joined the company, the photovoltaic modules on the roof had a rated output of 280 W. Now we use 450 W modules and we are already talking about 500-520 W. Now we are using 450 W modules, and there is already talk of 500-520 W. In just two years, that's an increase in output of almost 70 per cent for the same surface area. The same applies to batteries. And that's exactly what we need, because we have to move a 10-tonne boat through water, which requires much more energy than rolling wheels on a flat surface.
Company owner Vladimir Zinchenko is passionate about innovation and is therefore constantly trying to push boundaries. We are constantly evolving, and that is what makes this company so special. We are not afraid of competition because we are always on the move. So the brands that follow our lead will always be chasing us. On the other hand, they can only help us to publicise alternative drive and energy options.
What is the advantage of the hybrid drive?
I think we all know that the electric revolution is already underway. Those who said 15 years ago that they would never buy an electric car because it only has a range of 80 kilometres are hardly heard from today, because electric cars can travel 480 to 640 kilometres between charges. Boatbuilding is now moving in the same direction.
Our 6G H-Drive system already enables you to manoeuvre silently and drive medium distances with pure electric drive. When you drive faster with the diesel engine, excess energy is used to recharge the batteries, providing 48 hours of silent hotel mode. Power input and output is controlled by Greenline's unique hybrid control unit, which is visually integrated into your Simrad display so you can see all the data on your dashboard. It's fair to say that the hybrid option expands your ability to enjoy your boat and, of course, gives you more comfort.
So you offer your owners a path to hybrid yachting?
Yes, we have a kind of modular offer. You start with a diesel-only powertrain and then add our special Powerpack with additional battery banks, larger alternators and the Greenline energy management system. After that, you can switch to a hybrid or electric drive to maximise your on-board experience and comfort. The transition from diesel-only to alternative powertrains is one of our missions.
Can you imagine that purely electric propulsion will be feasible for mainstream yachts at some point?
There are already some markets where this is a reality, such as Scandinavia and American inland waters. And closer to home, there is Lake Balaton in Hungary, where combustion engines are banned. Recently, a customer came to me to discuss a fully electric version of the Greenline 45 Fly - a project that we have already investigated and is ready to go.
Does hybrid propulsion require a change in yachting philosophy?
Please let me make this clear: I do not believe in 'educating' water sports enthusiasts. I believe that smart people are able to listen to a story and extract what is important to them in order to improve their experience on their own boat. And that's exactly the message behind our idea of responsible boating. For example: Are we actually using the boats in this way and are we really enjoying the sea the way it should be enjoyed when we're travelling at 30 knots? Or is the sea meant to be experienced and lived at five or ten knots? I always like to say that hybrid propulsion creates a circle around you - a circle of energy inflows and outflows, but also a circle of experiences. The way you use this circle, your experience on board, can vary from person to person and from situation to situation. You can experience your boat - with the same specifications and performance options - differently than I experience mine, and we can interpret the boating experience completely differently."
What starts with the philosophy continues with materials sourced locally from a short supply chain, which reduces the carbon footprint, as well as high-quality processes such as vacuum infusion and recycling of production waste to preserve and respect our society.
How is the design language developing at Greenline Yachts?
This is another extremely important factor for our customers. Our concept of gentleman's yachting is a common thread that connects all our products, regardless of the era they come from. Comfort, hospitality, spaciousness, natural light, good ventilation and a smooth transition between the different areas are part of Greenline's DNA and characterise us. A few years ago, we started working with Marco Casali, who helped us to integrate the design philosophy of superyachts into our smaller yachts. In this way, we offer our customers solutions that they feel particularly comfortable with. We are not looking for the wow factor, but for additions that are thoroughly tested and extremely practical. These include, for example, an increase in glass area, more headroom in the saloon and wider doors.
Where will Greenline Yachts be in 10 years' time?
My dream is to have a company that takes a leading position when it comes to bringing technology and new experiences to the world of boating. We build about 50 to 60 boats a year, but I believe that our factory could easily triple these numbers if the market demands it. I don't think it will take us 10 years to achieve this goal - we are already ready to build more than 100 boats.
What does a perfect day on a Greenline look like for you?
I'm from Venice, and Venetians spend an incredible amount of time on the water. My perfect day is a day when I take my boat out into the lagoon early in the morning, perhaps heading north, where you can see coastal areas and beautiful canals, and watch lots of wildlife. Or I sail from Portoroz (the home harbour of Greenline Yachts in Slovenia) towards Croatia. On a winter's day, the boat glides through the waves of a glittering sea, and sometimes, if you're lucky, you see dolphins. It's not for nothing that the Greenline logo is a circle of dolphins chasing each other!
Information about the shipyard:
Greenline Yachts has developed a distinctive philosophy of responsible yachting. It's not just about hybrid propulsion and solar panels - Greenline Yachts' entire design philosophy is based on efficiency in the water. This starts with the 'superdisplacement' hulls of each model, which have been carefully designed and tested to ensure the smoothest possible ride, stability and efficiency at both low and high speeds. Responsible sailing also extends to the construction process. The high-tech foam sandwich used to reinforce the hull is made from recycled PET plastic. The lamination is carried out by vacuum infusion, which ensures very precise material utilisation. Currently, only vinyl ester resin is used, which provides a 5-year guarantee against osmosis. In addition, the shipyard's technicians are experimenting with natural fibres and environmentally friendly resins for the lamination of the yachts themselves. The shipyard is also reducing waste and energy consumption on the production lines. All wood waste from the interior fittings is collected and pressed into heating pellets, while leftover foam is reused by a neighbouring company. The production of disposable marketing materials has been almost completely phased out, and even then the focus is clearly on recycled or sustainable materials. Info: Greenline
