Yacht offers big cut in fuel consumption

A zero-emission motor yacht and a superyacht built by the first Western shipyard in China were among the varied watercraft on display at the 50th anniversary Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The rundown of boats:

Mochi Craft Long Range 23, D-E, dock, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, (about $5 million).

Ferretti Group said its new 78-foot motor yacht is the largest zero-emission pleasure craft in the world. Powered by a hybrid (diesel-electric) propulsion system, the “transplaning hull” claims to cut fuel consumption by 40 percent with a range of 1,000 miles.

Company vice president Andrea Frabetti said the boat can reach a top speed of 16 knots and run silently even with air-conditioning and all on-board appliances in use.

Frabetti said it can operate in five modes: with the diesel engines running the electric motors and recharging the lithium ion ferride batteries; with the electric motors disconnected from the diesels but driving the propellers with the help of a generator and battery pack; with electric motors on battery power driving the propellers in silence; with all on-board utilities powered by the battery pack; and with the yacht plugged into shore power while overnight in port.

Frabetti said the Mochi Craft costs about $1 per mile to operate, compared with about $4 per mile for a conventional diesel-powered yacht.

Argos Gulfstream, slip FG-29, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, about $5 million.

Greece-born investment banker Christos Livadas purchased a couple of yachts built in China a few years back but was dismayed when he went looking and found nothing bigger. So Livadas, who lives in Nassau, Bahamas, and South Florida partner Dave Adams built their own shipyard in Zhuhai a couple of years ago for the purpose of constructing superyachts. Their first product is the 92-foot Argos said to be fast, seaworthy and extremely comfortable.

The partners say the twin 1,650-horsepower diesels can push the yacht to 27 knots, but optimum cruising speed is 9 knots, for a maximum range of 3,000 nautical miles. Argos sleeps eight guests and four crew, with posh features such as marble bathrooms, curved mahogany cabinets, a Jacuzzi on the upper deck and a large living/dining salon.

“We’re building in China not to build a cheaper boat, but a superior boat in all levels,” Adams said.

Said Livadas: “This yacht is for an owner with an active lifestyle who likes to go exploring and adventuring, and it also offers a tremendous amount of social function.”

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Category: Events News, Shipyard News