Fabiani Wedgeline Hybrid 77: revolution is green

Wedgeline Hybrid 77 is the green revolution by Fabiani Yachts: a “more than you expect” futuristic boat

There is little time left until the completion of Fabiani Yachts‘ first green yacht: the Wedgeline Hybrid 77, a masterpiece of eco-engineering.

Not ready until next year, the new model is an example of a boat that adapts to nature, and this one in particular will interact with a key element: the sun.

Boasting a large number of patents, Wedgeline Hybrid 77 is defending her technologies and is constantly perfecting them, to overcome all the obstacles that arise when building a prototype of this type. An immense, futuristic project, difficult only to imagine, but which is taking shape more and more, it will be the yacht that will revolutionize zero-impact yachting.

Fitted with two diesel shaft line engines and two electric motors mounted right at the start of the diesel propulsion systems, this hybrid yacht will fully perform its function of 100% electric navigation. An inverter makes it possible to switch from one to the other mode, even while underway, and allows them to be used simultaneously while keeping the classic engine idling and then switching only to electric navigation.

The enormous power requirement, which allows the Wedgeline Hybrid 77 to travel at a speed of 6/7 knots with a maximum of 8 knots in electric, is provided by the support that the solar panels give to the pack of lithium batteries of the latest generation that are much more powerful, high-performance and less heavy (Akasol) positioned in the bow in a special locker.

The batteries are connected directly to the electric motors and panels, which emerge from the sides of the yacht, just below the deck level. These solar panels vary in size and number, also depending on the size of the yacht. When folded, the panels fit perfectly on top of each other and disappear, becoming invisible, inside the hull.

A truly unprecedented revolution, which means it is possible to cruise at zero cost and even access Protected Marine Areas without damaging the environment, with a quiet but pleasant cruising speed.

During the construction phases, the most concerns concerned the actual functioning of the panels, as this is an innovative technology… from idea to implementation everything can change. After several practical tests, however, the boatyard ascertained the actual effectiveness of the panels and the extreme fluidity they have in exiting and re-entering the prepared housings, and in the event of blockage, they can be closed manually with a lance. In the event of excessive rolling or wave motion, the panels have additional safety features: in these cases they sound an alarm, the owner must immediately close the panels and if he does not take this precaution, the panels will automatically close again. Before being closed, the panels need to be cleaned with distilled water to remove any salt water, spray or foam that may have collected on the surface, which is why a water softener has been fitted on board.

Just over 22 metres long, with a displacement of 82 tonnes when fully loaded, the Wedgeline Hybrid 77 has a range with the diesel engines of 220 miles at an average speed of 20 knots, but what is most surprising is the range in electric power: at a speed of 6 knots, 50 to 100 miles can be covered, without noise, without cost and respecting the environment.

Comprising 3 or 4 guest cabins, it also has two berths for the crew, a large saloon with kitchen and a flybridge with sundeck or table, where you can relax even while underway, providing there is not too much wind. Two very large solar panels also come out of the flybridge footprint, towards the bow, which rise a few centimetres above the boat when fully extended.

Another special feature of this yacht is the stern platform, designed to be moved to where the owner needs it most, with no less than four possible positions. It dives almost a metre underwater for easy access to the water, stays in the sailing position or slides on two steel tubes that raise it up to the cockpit or even up to the flybridge. The stanchions move and drapes together to create a parapet all around the deck, so that it can be used as a sundeck or as a stern extension even while underway, either on the cockpit or the flybridge.

Last November Fabiani Yacht won the prestigious Le Fonti Awards, as ‘Excellence of the Year Innovation & Leadership in Luxury Boating‘ for its original and creative yet real and functional style in boating and for the design of zero-impact boats, which allow silent and non-polluting navigation.

The shipyard also recently opened a new office in the province of Livorno, at the Marina Cala De’ Medici, the second for Fabiani Yachts, and will also be present at the next Dusseldorf Boat Show, with a booth at Hall 07AC03.

President Maurizio Fabiani is proud of the enormous steps forward the shipyard is making towards increasingly hybrid, comfortable and classy yachting:

“Our yachts are hybrid and must absolutely be so, both diesel and electric motors act in unison. You will sail in absolute silence and be able to enter protected marine areas, with no impact on the environment. So far no one has ever come close to such technology.”

Silvia Pretto