In yachting, as elsewhere, “sustainability” has become a go-to buzzword, typically more bluster than breakthrough. Alternative methods of propulsion—hydrogen fuel cells and green methanol for superyachts, say, or diesel-electric power for vessels under 100 feet—have been discussed for years yet are often dismissed by builders as too complex and expensive.
But now a band of pioneering yards and owners are designing never-before- seen eco-friendlier systems with the technical bona fides to be legitimate game changers. They not only reduce emissions but also offer other tangible benefits over the status quo, from silent anchoring to smoother maneuvering. Here, five yachts charting a course for the future, today.
