Silent 60: A Quiet Solar-Electric Catamaran — Sea Trial in Fort Lauderdale

I was standing with my back to the helm, talking with a colleague, when Capt. Kyle Miller eased the new Silent 60 away from the Fort Lauderdale dock. I didn’t realize we were underway until I turned and watched the shoreline sliding past. That moment underscored the yacht’s defining quality: it is remarkably quiet. The only sounds that reached me were the low hum of the air conditioning and, once we stepped onto the deck, the gentle rush of water along the hulls.

The Silent 60 is a solar-electric catamaran that relies on a substantial bank of lithium-ion batteries for propulsion and onboard systems. Those batteries are replenished primarily by the extensive solar array covering the roof. As long as the sun is shining, the yacht continually harvests energy, allowing it to sustain onboard power while underway and at anchor. “It’s the only boat that fills its own fuel tank,” Capt. Miller observed, describing how solar energy replenishes the battery bank.

Under normal conditions the Silent 60 cruises at a relaxed 6 to 8 knots, a comfortable pace for long-range cruising and efficient solar charging. For situations that demand more speed — reaching a harbor before nightfall or getting ahead of deteriorating weather — the yacht can engage a “Sprint Mode.” Activating a single 145-kW Hyundai diesel generator assists the battery recharge process and enables a higher top speed of roughly 12 knots. Importantly, the vessel is not a conventional hybrid in the sense of delivering mechanical drive from an internal combustion engine; instead, all propulsion and on-board systems are electric, powered by the battery bank. E-motors, the drivetrain, navigation systems, lighting, air conditioning and galley appliances are all operated from the batteries and managed through the helm’s CZone digital switching system.

The Silent 60 is the product of decades of experience and a clear mission from its founders, Austrian sailors Michael and Heike Köhler. Having sailed more than 75,000 nautical miles, they sought to blend the silent-running advantages of sailing with the comfort and convenience of a power catamaran. Their early experimentation with alternative marine propulsion culminated in the Solarwave 46 prototype in 2009, a fully solar-powered catamaran they cruised extensively. That hands-on testing informed the first Silent-Yachts production model, the Silent 64, launched in 2016. Since then the brand has expanded its line to include models across a broad size range.

The Silent 60 debuted in Europe in late 2021. The boat I trialed this spring was Hull #3 and the first Silent 60 to arrive in U.S. waters; after a stay in Fort Lauderdale its owner planned a summer season in New England. Silent-Yachts operates with a global manufacturing footprint: the company is based in Austria while yachts are built in Italy, Turkey and Thailand. Its multinational design team continues to refine the boats, and recent updates focus on improving ergonomics, storage and interior finishes, along with expanding hull windows for more natural light.

Onboard the Silent 60 the main deck feels open and airy. Low-profile furnishings on both the aft deck and in the salon preserve broad sight lines, creating nearly unobstructed 360-degree views around the living spaces. The galley sits aft for easy service across the deck, and practical touches include wide walkaround side decks, each featuring an alcove with a settee for quietly watching the passing seascape. One interior note: a full-height refrigerator occupies the starboard aft corner, intentionally placed to maintain the open flow elsewhere on deck.

The yacht I boarded featured the “Front Exit” configuration, which incorporates a forward door between the salon and the foredeck to improve access and circulation. The boat’s systems are centralized and accessible from the helm, where the CZone digital switching system gives the captain fingertip control over propulsion, power management and onboard amenities.

What stands out about the Silent 60 is how its engineering supports a calm, efficient cruising experience. Solar charging combined with a large battery bank allows extended periods of silent operation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and offering a more peaceful onboard environment. At the same time, Sprint Mode provides flexibility when higher speeds are required. The result is a vessel that emphasizes comfort, energy independence and thoughtful design—an appealing combination for cruisers who value quiet, sustainable performance without compromising livability.

This article was originally published in the August 2022 issue.