Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

The 80 Sunreef Power Eco: Building an electric Super Cat

by Sunreef Yachts 13 Jan 2023 16:51 GMT
80 Sunreef Power Eco © Sunreef Yachts

The Sunreef Team meets the future owner of an electric 80 Sunreef Power Eco catamaran for an exclusive interview. Currently, under construction at the shipyard in Gdansk, the luxury catamaran will be customized to the owner's exact specifications to reach the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency.

What is your experience with yachts & boating?

We have been on the water since childhood, including racing small sailboats, extensive cruising in New England, Florida and Bahamas with family boats. We have also chartered in the BVI. Our three generations of our close-knit families have enjoyed countless joyful experiences on-board our family yachts.

Why did you decide to build an electric yacht?

The climate impact of large power yachts is significant. We have taken extensive steps to impact the climate crises, therefore we could only consider a power yacht if it would incorporate technologies that are rapidly scaling in other sectors such as solar energy and electric vehicles. Given our focus on sustainability broadly, only an electric "Eco" boat aligned with our values.

Why did you decide to build with Sunreef Yachts?

We conducted extensive research in collaboration with our broker Staley Weidman from The Catamaran Company. This included visits and meetings with multiple foreign shipyards, to determine who was genuinely and successfully advancing state-of-the-art with electric and sustainable yachting. The result of our discovery process was clear - Sunreef leads the industry with research and development, high-quality production, highly evaluated sourcing, and compelling on-water performance.

How was your collaboration with the Sunreef team?

The Sunreef yacht design capability has allowed for significant input and choice on our part. We have accomplished this because Sunreef's client-facing team patiently interfaces with us remotely sometimes on a weekly basis. On-site visits have been extremely efficient in terms of making early design decisions about layout, material, colors, and furnishings. It's a family-run, private company that has a history of high achievement, and that culture is evident throughout the organization.

Were you involved in the design process?

My spouse and I, together with our Captain, designer and broker, have worked directly with Sunreef, throughout the project. While we have never designed and built a yacht, we have brought our style and ideas from our home and hospitality projects and enjoyed learning and shaping of our future marine home!

Where will you cruise?

We will spend summers in the Northeast, some of which we know well, but much remains to discover. We look forward to joining the ship in the Bahamas and the Caribbean in the winter when the boat is off charter. The Caribbean, in particular, is mostly a frontier for us, and will offer a wonderful escape from the cold northern winters!

Related Articles

The Lord Birkett from the deck of an I14
Legendary wind shifts, dramatic scenery and the freshly refurbished Zog Ah, Ullswater. Home of the Lord Birkett Trophy, legendary wind shifts, dramatic scenery, and six International 14s. Among them, the freshly refurbished Zog, which had undergone what can only be described as an overzealous stint in the sunbed salon. Posted today at 6:23 am
Noble Marine Streaker Nationals Days 1 & 2
The largest Streaker fleet ever to be seen on the water 102 Streaker sailors arrived at Costa del Edith Weston for the Noble Marine Streaker Golden Jubilee National Championships. This is the largest Streaker fleet ever to be seen on the water. Posted today at 5:18 am
Top Double-Handed teams shine in Helsinki
The new ORC DH European Champions are Jolene (SWE), Team Goodio (FIN) and Garmin Team Pro4u (SWE) After a thrilling week of competition on the Baltic Sea, the 2025 Garmin ORC Double-Handed European Championship concluded on a high note at Helsingfors Segelklubb. Posted on 12 Jul
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 8
Super Finals Saturday sees Daida Moreno produce buzzer beater The penultimate day of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup saw final results gained in three categories; Women's, U21 Boy's and U18 Boy's and all three divisions required Super Finals to determine the eventual winners. Posted on 12 Jul
OK Nationals at Dabchicks Day 1
Glorious sunshine greeted the competitors at West Mersea The OK class are holding their 2025 National Championships at West Mersea, with the event hosted by Dabchicks SC. Glorious sunshine greeted the competitors for day one of the event, with racing taking place in the afternoon. Posted on 12 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 5
A day to remember on Lake Garda with waves and strong gusts A day to remember on Lake Garda for the fifth and penultimate day of the 2025 Moth World Championship, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine from 6 to 13 July. Posted on 12 Jul
2025 Cowes Dinard St Malo Race Start Photos
Martin Augustus of sailingimages.co.uk was out in the sunshine as the fleet sailed out of the Solent The Cowes Dinard St Malo Race, the thirteenth race of the RORC Season's Points Championship, started on Friday and Martin Augustus was on hand to catch the action in the Western Solent as they made their way in the sunshine towards Dinard. Posted on 12 Jul
Jazz Turner Makes History in Project FEAR
Jazz credits Allen for providing cutting-edge sheeting systems, as well as expert advice Project FEAR, an extraordinary solo sailing voyage by Jazz Turner, has concluded successfully: she became the first disabled person – and specifically the first wheelchair user – to sail non-stop and unassisted around the UK and Ireland. Posted on 12 Jul
ITCA (GBR) Invitational Topper Coaching at Poole
A group of the top 21 very enthusiastic sailors from across the UK take part The GBR Class Association for Toppers (ITCA-GBR) recently organised an Invitational Coaching Event of 2025 at Poole Yacht Club on 5th/6th July where we had a group of the top 21 very enthusiastic Topper sailors from across the UK. Posted on 12 Jul
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona overall
Some of the most celebrated gems of classic yachting in the waters off Barcelona The sails have now been lowered on the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica, which this week brought together some of the most celebrated gems of classic yachting in the waters off Barcelona. Posted on 12 Jul