Courtesy of Silent Yachts
- Austrian shipyard Silent Yachts debuted a new 55-foot catamaran that runs on solar power earlier this year at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
- The Silent 55 later appeared at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in November.
- The eco-friendly yacht does not sacrifice luxury. In addition to running on solar energy, the company says the yacht runs silently. It also has lavish amenities, including a master suite that occupies an entire beam.
- Its release marks yet another example in a recent trend towards sustainable luxury travel.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Silent 55 takes "chasing the sun" to a whole new level.
The Austrian shipyard Silent Yachts has been experimenting with alternative energy sources for yachts since 2005. Its newest yacht, the Silent 55, is a solar-electric catamaran that the company says can run completely on solar energy and cruises silently.
The Silent 55 catamaran made its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival earlier this year and has since been making the boat show circuit, most recently appearing at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Solar panels lining the vessel not only support solar-propulsion, but air conditioning and lighting, too, eliminating the need for a generator. When necessary, electric-propulsion can support the vessel as well. This eco-friendly yacht is just one example in a recent trend of of sustainable luxury travel.
Robb Report's Julia Zaltzman reported the Silent 55 is selling for 1.4 million euros (or about $1.54 million).
Here's a look inside the vessel.