Green Energy Spotlight: Solar-Powered Catamarans 

Solar power is fundamental in today’s quest for green energy. This drive towards responsible energy can especially be seen onboard crewed catamarans. Yacht builders are increasingly harnessing solar power onboard – especially within the catamaran market. 

It is easy to see why – solar power is a cleaner and more efficient source of energy for yachts to operate enabling reduced emissions and fuel consumption, and catamarans provide ample space to place the panels!

How does solar power work?

Simply put, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through solar panels, batteries and inverters. 

To maximise this green energy generation onboard, they can be integrated into the hull sides, mast, superstructure, bimini roof, hardtop canopies or even the decks. Where there is space, there is an opportunity to create cleaner energy with solar panels. We are even seeing solar cells embedded in the boat’s composite structure. 

The Benefits

But why solar? Firstly, most crewed catamarans cruise in sunny places, from the lemon-drenched picturesque Amalfi Coast to the sandbanks and sunshine of the Bahamas, so harnessing this green energy from the sun makes perfect sense. 

With fewer emissions and pollutants than traditional fuel-powered generators, solar power minimizes the overall environmental impact. Aside from the substantial environmental gains, it is also cost-efficient and, after the initial outlay, reduces longer-term fuel costs. This green energy generation also provides a quieter charter, running the catamaran systems from electricity rather than noisy (and stinky) fuel-burning generators. 

Why catamarans?

From cargo ships and small Atlantic crossing rowing boats to narrow boats, there are now various types utilising solar power. However, the multihull market was an early adopter for a good reason. 

A lightweight catamaran provides lower drag and a bigger surface area for integrating solar panels. Because when sunny days on a crewed catamaran itinerary in the BVI outweigh those suitable for sailing, why not be on a yacht that creates fuel-free energy, powering your charter from the sun? 

At Boatbookings, we pride ourselves in offering these crewed catamaran charters from builds such as Silent and Sunreef. These options are perfect for any group that wishes to have less impact on our oceans through a yacht charter.

Contact the Boatbookings team today to discuss our greener energy options. 

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Green Yacht Charters: Top Five Tips 

The demand for a green, sustainable yacht charter has risen significantly over the past decade. At Boatbookings, have been leading this trend for 17 years and are thrilled to see it gaining momentum. While yacht designers embrace greener technology and innovative solutions to help the industry transition toward a more sustainable fleet, there are various other ways to ensure you leave a lighter footprint when chartering.

Whether you choose to charter a crewed motor yacht or crewed catamaran, from selecting a yacht that minimizes your carbon emissions to reducing single-use plastics and waste, take a look at our five top tips for you to have a greener yacht charter.

1. Choose a greener yacht 

The first step is to choose a yacht that has been built or retrofitted with sustainability in mind. Today there are more and more yachts out there that boast greener credentials regarding the materials they were built with, how they are run, and their features to enhance energy efficiencies, such as solar panels and hybrid and electric technology. Another way to reduce your impact is to focus on the yachts that use limitless resources, such as the wind. Crewed catamaran charters are an easy way to ensure you have a lower footprint.

2. Minimize your waste 

The first step of waste management is to start by reducing the amount of waste you produce. Eliminating single-use plastic is fundamental to this – request and update your charter preference list to reflect that you want to use reusables. Correct waste management is essential throughout a yacht charter. On crewed catamarans, they take additional steps to ensure the yacht’s waste is disposed of correctly in each marina. On a bareboat charter, you can take these steps yourself to recycle onboard and then appropriately discard waste when ashore.

3. Lower impact activities 

Rather than zooming about the ocean on fossil fuel-powered water toys, why not take your yacht charter a little slower and enjoy the activities that are better for our oceans? There are lots of lower-impact activities. For example, kayaking around picturesque BVI bays, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Tahiti, or standup paddleboarding in the calm, shallow waters of the Bahamas. Today, there are also a whole host of environmentally-minded toys. For that adrenaline rush, request water toys onboard such as hydrofoils and electric-powered ones.

4. Greener charter menus

Whether on a crewed or bareboat charter, you can easily lessen your environmental impact through what you eat. Firstly, buying and sourcing local produce supports the local economy and significantly reduces your food miles. Eating locally and seasonally is better for your carbon footprint due to the lower transportation emissions. Not only is it better for our planet, but the food will be fresher, and you will get to try different countries’ produce, whether that be fresh fish from a local fisherman or an exotic fruit from the market.

5. Ocean-friendly products

Products onboard are literally poured into our oceans. To ensure that you reduce harm to the marine ecosystem, be mindful of what you use. For a crewed charter, you can request the use of guest toiletries and products, such as reef-safe suncream and other products, such as organic shampoo, not to include toxic ingredients.

We have ever-increasing options for greener charter yachts. Choices that can help move our industry toward a lower-carbon future. To find out more, contact the Boatbookings team today to explore the green credentials of our huge fleet. 

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Catamaran Charters: Comfortable, Efficient, and Green

Improve your green yacht charter credentials and get ready for the summer season by choosing one of Boatbookings’ many catamarans.

With the approaching summer season, Boatbookings discusses why chartering a catamaran is better for the health of our oceans and picks out some favourite, more sustainable options.

Catamarans continue to become increasingly popular choices for yacht charters. It is no wonder why – a catamaran provides so many benefits.

Whether it be crewed or bareboat, power or sail, you can enjoy their voluminous open-plan living and comfortable accommodation areas, their increased stability, and smoother cruising to that of a monohull.

Recent years have seen the multihull charter market evolving with its offerings, and most importantly, they highlight a significant move toward a greener and low-carbon agenda. We take a look at the ways they are better for our oceans.

Improved efficiency

The efficient hull design of a catamaran drastically reduces its resistance through the water, improving fuel efficiency. Boasting lighter hulls, they also have a lower displacement than monohulls. Power catamarans have a lower overall fuel burn and a steadier rise in speed while sailing catamarans can combine this advantage with nature’s wind power.

Fewer emissions

With overall reduced fuel consumption, there will be fewer emissions into our atmosphere; therefore, a catamaran will boast a lower carbon footprint. The benefit of a sailing catamaran is the overall fuel reduction, lessening emissions even more so than a power catamaran. Our emissions calculator can determine the exact footprint of any charter yacht.

Reduced impact

Another characteristic of a catamaran is its shallow draft, resulting in less impact on marine life while enabling more choices for better anchorages. With more out of the water, they have less disruption of the area’s marine ecology and the added benefit of less vibration and, therefore, noise. Their drafts also make them popular for specific cruising itineraries, such as the Bahamas and the BVIs.

Renewable opportunities 

The wider beam of a catamaran provides more space for renewable energy alternatives. Their exterior can be outfitted with solar panels, perfect for soaking up the Caribbean and Pacific sunshine while also enabling the yacht to operate on less power from the generators and engines. There are also plenty of catamarans that run off electric power, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

Choose a greener catamaran today 

Catamarans are part of a fast-growing segment of the charter industry. One that, thanks to innovative technology, is ever-evolving and improving its sustainability credentials.

Today there is a vast selection of eco-friendly catamarans that run on wind, solar, batteries and electric motors. As well as these greener technologies, many catamaran builders, such as Sunreef, implement a holistic sustainability process, using naturally-sourced materials throughout the build.

Boatbookings offers some of the best, greener catamaran options available for charter:

Sunreef, E Supercat 60:

This crewed Sunreef sailing catamaran, with nearly zero carbon emissions, boasts electric motors and rechargeable batteries while sailing; her eco-electric propulsion enables six hours of electric cruising.

Silent 64:

This Silent 64 power catamaran results in cleaner, electric cruising with zero emissions. 

Lagoon 420: 

This bareboat Lagoon 420 catamaran offers low fuel consumption and minimal emissions through her two electric motors and power by two sets of six batteries. 

Fountaine Pajot, Aura 51: 

This Fountaine Pajot 51 bareboat catamaran offers maximum space, that doubles up to provide renewable energy through its integrated solar panels. 

With our oceans facing increasing environmental pressures, considering your next choice when chartering is more important than ever. Not only do catamarans offer a range of benefits, but they are also better for our oceans. Contact the Boatbookings team about your next, greener summer charter and our range of available catamarans.

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Reducing Yacht Carbon Emissions: Is HVO Fuel the Answer?

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil produces dramatically fewer emissions than diesel 

Yacht carbon emissions are a pressing issue in the yachting industry, and for good reasons, but what are the alternatives? Boatbookings begins to explore this topic as the industry accelerates its environmental agenda.

Ahead of the 33rd MYBA Charter show from 24th – 27th April in Barcelona, we take a look at the findings from the most recent MYBA environmental committee’s AGM report. The report discusses the immediate need for a fuel alternative and the role of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel in moving toward net zero.

The emission problem 

The average person produces around 7 tonnes of C02 annually. Considering that statistic, one litre of diesel creates about 3 KG of C02 in the atmosphere; according to the report, if “a big yacht consumes 60,000 litres per week on charter, this is 180 metric tons of C02.” 

Given these statistics, it is no wonder that the industry’s future is steeped in a climate-conscious effort to pave the way toward a fossil fuel-free future. While there may be multiple challenges to fully decarbonizing the industry, there are also equal amounts of hope from innovative technologies and fast-developing hybrid and electrical solutions. 

HVO; An alternative? 

But how do we green the diesel-driven boats that are currently in our fleets? Experts believe HVO is the most viable alternative because there is no need to modify existing engines or generators. 

Originally the first-generation biofuel, FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters), hailed a bad reputation. This was mainly due to FAME’s oxidation and affinity to water, leading to a significant risk of microbial growth. But HVO’s chemical makup, as well as storage stability, is similar to that of fossil fuels. Hence it offers a possible direct replacement, meaning that all yachts, not just retrofitted ones, can reduce their emissions immediately. 

So what exactly is HVO? It is made by using recycled sunflower oil. First, it undergoes hydro-treatment at high temperatures and pressures, where hydrogen is added to remove the oxygen. There are claims that it offers a 90% reduction in C02 emissions on the basis that it is made from recycled oil – having already made its environmental impact.

Who uses and supplies it?

Regarding the usage, Rolls Royce and MTU endorse HVO and have been testing their engines with it for a long time. As a tangible example, the charter yacht Lammouche has divulged its use of HVO fuel, which they source from Fioul83. 

The short-term challenges of HVO have focussed on the availability, production, and higher cost compared to diesel. However, the report outlines that “yachts can buy it for a premium of about 35 cents a litre for pure HVO.” 

In terms of supply, currently the best supplier is the Finland-based Neste, producing HVO with complete transparency – they are consistently ranked among the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. Although Neste is not yet “geared up to supply yachting, while aviation and ground-transport sectors are its primary consumers.” 

The report further reveals solutions through Neste’s distribution partners, a French company Altens and their partnership with Monaco-based sustainable fuel suppliers Romano Energy. Although they have only delivered to 18 (smaller) boats so far, the future holds lots of possibilities.

Choose a lower-carbon yacht

What is clear is that to reach net zero, the industry needs to burn less conventional fuel. Recent years have seen various alternatives out there, such as electric/battery yachts – each with pros and cons. Alongside alternatives, the report urges people to use tools to measure C02 to measure and reduce emissions. You can use our emissions calculator to determine your footprint based on distance and fuel consumed per mile or kilometer.

We are always keen to share our recommendations for charter yachts that hail lower carbon emissions. The Boatbookings team will be present at the Barcelona MYBA show and look forward to discussing this topic and the industry’s newest sustainable innovations for the charter fleet.

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American Airlines direct flights from Miami to the BVI restart in June!

Good news for those chartering from Tortola: American Airlines will resume flights to the Road Town Lettsome International Airport (EIS) beginning June 1. These flights will continue during the summer, and then resume in November for the Winter high season. So now you can get to the BVI directly instead of flying to St Thomas and taking a ferry.

The BVI has traditionally been difficult and time-consuming to get to, so this will be a major improvement both for Americans and those from all over the world who can now connect directly to Miami and then to the BVI.

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