The 80 Sunreef Power Eco marked its official debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2023. The vessel, named after the Norse sun goddess as 80 Sunreef Power Sól, stands as a pioneering electric catamaran utilizing Sunreef Yachts' cutting-edge solar power system and advanced electric propulsion. The shipyard shares the interview with the owners.
What is your experience with yachts and boating?
We have been on the water since childhood, including racing small sailboats, and extensive cruising in New England, Florida and the Bahamas with family boats. We have also chartered in the BVI. Our three generations of 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.
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 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!
Sunreef Yachts was founded by Francis Lapp in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland. Since then, the shipyard has been designing and manufacturing luxury sailing and power multihulls.
Credits: Sunreef Yachts