More than 40 Amels Limited Editions projects have hit the water since the semi-custom series inaugurated in 2007. Furthermore, those yachts have ranged in size to 272 feet (83 meters), covering territory previously exclusively the domain of fully custom projects. In another pioneering step for the yard, Amels’ first hybrid superyacht is a new Limited Editions model. Developed in house, the propulsion system aboard the Amels 60 will be a key component of all future Limited Editions models, too.
While the builder revealed the Amels 60 earlier this month, few facts were available about the system. During a press event at the Monaco Yacht Show, however, Rose Damen, managing director of Damen Shipyards’ Yachting division, and Espen Øino (below), head of the eponymous design studio behind the yacht, disclosed more.
First, the 197-foot Amels 60 has twin diesel engines compliant with the upcoming international Tier III regulations. These govern all vessels exceeding 500 gross tons. (Amels’ first hybrid superyacht will be 830 gross tons.) In fact, both the engines and the gensets feature Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) filters. SCR technology reduces nitrogen-oxide emissions. Aboard the Amels 60, the shipyard asserts up to 70 percent reduction.
While the yacht should see a 4,500-nautical-mile range at a best cruise of 13 knots, multiple operation modes are available:
- Serenity: battery power only, at anchor, supported by shore power or a single genset
- Silent Cruising: battery power plus two gensets (acting as electrical drive motors), achieving 7 knots
- Eco Cruising: battery power plus both main engines, achieving 7 to 14 knots (main engines generating propulsion as well as electrical power)
- Full Power: battery power, both gensets, plus both engines, for a full-speed 15.5 knots and the full hotel load shared across the battery bank and gensets.
On a related note, Amels’ first hybrid superyacht further carries a 29-foot (9-meter), all-electric tender. Øino, who designed this, too, says all-electric was an easy decision. “On small boats, it’s very hard to get rid of noise,” he explains. He additionally believes that once owners see and hear (or not hear, as the case may be) the difference, most will embrace electric tenders as the future.
In combination with her own hull form, the Amels 60 “is truly a design that reflects the future,” he sums up. Rose Damen adds, “The Amels 60 has a future-proof hybrid package that our clients can rely on.”
Amels amels-holland.com
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