Silent 120 Explorer: A Solar-Powered Superyacht with eVTOL and Submarine Capability

Silent-Yachts has taken solar-powered yachting to a new level with the Silent 120 Explorer, a 120-foot solar catamaran designed to combine long-range, low-emission cruising with advanced toys for remote exploration. The flagship model is built to carry an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and a compact electric submarine, while drawing most of its energy from large on-deck solar arrays. The result is a modern, sustainable superyacht concept that blends luxury, autonomy, and innovative transportation options.

The first Silent 120 Explorer is scheduled for launch in 2024. With a nearly 46-foot beam, the catamaran delivers exceptional interior volume and usable deck space for a yacht of its length. The design emphasizes efficient cruising: in economical mode it is expected to cruise at roughly 6 to 8 knots, while full-power speeds reach up to 16 knots. Silent-Yachts has equipped the platform with 40 kWp (kilowatt-peak) of solar panels intended to cover the yacht’s hotel loads and contribute to fossil-free propulsion, enabling extended operation with minimal use of fossil fuel.

Energy storage and electric propulsion are central to the Silent 120 Explorer’s capability. The yacht pairs 800 kW of lithium-ion battery capacity with 340 kW electric motors and range-extender generators. This hybrid approach provides flexibility—sustained electric cruising from battery power and nearly unlimited range when the generators are used. The compact, efficient electric propulsion units free up considerable interior and deck volume, creating space to carry larger toys than a conventional yacht of the same length might accommodate.

Onboard eVTOL: Roof Landing and Integrated Charging

Silent-Yachts has collaborated with VRCO to accommodate the Xcraft XP4 eVTOL on the Silent 120 Explorer. The yacht’s roof is conceived as a multifunctional space: large solar panels slide outboard to port and starboard to reveal a touch-and-go landing area that can receive the XP4. The aircraft, which is targeted for certification in 2024, seats up to four people and incorporates a range of safety systems such as detection-and-avoidance technology, a ballistic parachute, and low-altitude crash prevention features.

Charging and energy management are integral to the eVTOL integration. The XP4 can be charged directly from the Silent 120 Explorer’s solar array and battery stores. In addition to drawing power from the yacht, the aircraft’s own battery system is designed to act as a potential backup power source for the vessel, providing an added layer of onboard redundancy during extended cruising or while away from shore power.

All-Electric Submarine for Underwater Exploration

For underwater discovery, the Silent 120 Explorer can carry a U-Boat Worx Nemo submarine. The Nemo is an all-electric, two-person submersible capable of diving to roughly 330 feet and is compact enough to occupy less space than two jet skis. It offers up to eight hours of underwater autonomy and can reach speeds around 3 knots. The design includes positive buoyancy, which provides an automatic resurfacing safety measure in the unlikely event of a system failure.

Owners can choose where to stow the submarine: it can be housed in the tender garage inside the port hull or placed on the main deck adjacent to the pool, depending on layout preferences and intended use. The compact footprint and electric propulsion of the Nemo make it well-suited to the low-emission, exploration-focused ethos of the Silent 120 Explorer.

Design Philosophy: Volume, Storage and Sustainable Luxury

“In the Silent 120 Explorer we designed a boat that is bigger in volume although not in length, and bigger gives the opportunity to store more of these toys,” says Michael Köhler, founder and CEO of Silent-Yachts. That extra volume, combined with efficient systems and a large solar harvest, is what allows the yacht to support both advanced airborne and submersible craft while maintaining comfortable living spaces and sustainable operation.

The Silent 120 Explorer positions itself as a forward-looking, solar-powered superyacht for owners who prioritize quiet cruising, reduced emissions, and adventurous access to remote locations. With an eVTOL landing pad integrated into the superstructure and a compact electric submarine among the stowed options, the Silent 120 Explorer blurs the line between yacht, aviation platform, and undersea explorer—delivering a genuinely modern take on luxury, mobility, and exploration at sea.

Whether envisioned for remote island hopping, silent approaches to private anchorages, or underwater sightseeing, the Silent 120 Explorer represents a new chapter in solar catamaran design: high-volume, electric-propelled, and equipped for both air and sea adventure.