Following an extensive summer season competing in the J-Class events, Monaco Yacht Show as well as cruises around St. Tropez, the 40m Holland Jachtbouw luxury yacht Rainbow crossed the Atlantic to enjoy the Caribbean season. Crossing the Atlantic was Rainbow yacht’s first chance to test the last component of the Hybrid Power System; power regeneration from sailing.
40m J-Class superyacht Rainbow by Holland Jachtbouw
As one of the most interesting parts of the Hybrid Power System, sailing yacht Rainbow is equipped with a 50kW shaft generator/electric motor. Holland Jachtbouw already had great results driving Rainbow in full silent mode on her electric propulsion system. Doing 7kn on just batteries is an extraordinary experience.
Superyacht Rainbow’s delivery to the Caribbean was a great opportunity to test the power generating part for a longer period of time and to see whether Rainbow would be self-foreseeing concerning onboard energy consumption. It turned out that with Rainbow’s boat speed up to 9 – 10 kn reaching along, the Hybrid Power System was capable of delivering enough electric power to all on board systems and even was charging the batteries.
Power regenerating systems onboard sailing yachts is a great advantage, especially on longer voyages where fuel consumption is a key issue. It will extend the range of the boat or even be completely self–foreseeing. But it’s better to keep in mind that power never comes for free, but sailors know how to find it.
