Since 1993, the year of her delivery, Royal Huisman’s Juliet has put nearly 250,000 miles under her hull. The 143-foot (44-meter) ketch has sought out the shipyard’s Huisfit team for refit and service over the years. She’s back again, at Royal Huisman Amsterdam, for a notable upgrade. Midway through next year, Juliet will be cruising with a hybrid propulsion and power-generation system. This will allow her to be a better environmental steward, plus visit some of the world’s most pristine regions. The latter includes waters where local governments are clamping down on emissions.
Unlike a typical refit, Juliet’s owners and crew, as well as the Huisfit team, got the refit started well before she arrived in Amsterdam. The shipyard created a 3D scan of her hull, especially her engine room. This allowed them to map out the new system’s configuration and get parts on the way.
The configuration employs a gearbox connected to an electric motor, serving as a generator. Therefore, the combination can provide indirect electric propulsion via the main engine, a new battery bank, or the second generator. In addition, the main engine can power air conditioning and other hotel loads via the electric motor. Of course, the battery bank can do the same, further permitting so-called silent mode. Even with all of this, traditional shaft-drive operations with the main engine are still possible.
The battery bank comes into play in further ways. It can help handle much of the peak power load during sail hoisting or maneuvering, lessening reliance on the main engine. Plus, Royal Huisman’s Juliet can quickly recharge the batteries from the electric motor, driven by the main engine or genset.
Yet another benefit of the power switch: quieter and odor-free sailing. The propeller will generate the electricity needed when underway. This isn’t “just” a nice experience. Consider, for example, that Norway’s parliament wants the country’s UNESCO-protected fjords free of emissions from cruise ships, ferries, and other craft by 2026. Since Norway is increasingly popular with sailing superyachts, Royal Huisman’s Juliet will have no issues visiting.
Hybrid power is no issue for Royal Huisman, either. It launched Ethereal in 2009 as the first hybrid superyacht—not just the first hybrid sailing superyacht.
Royal Huisman royalhuisman.com
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