Pleasure yachts to convert from thermal to electricity

Aware of the recent controversy pointing to business aviation for its environmental damage, the pleasure boating world has decided to take the lead. Dream Yacht Charter was the first to respond. The French group, the world’s number one yacht charter company, announced on Monday, January 23, the conversion of its entire fleet to electric propulsion.

Loïc Bonnet, founder of Dream Yacht in 2000, ordered twenty Aura 51 catamarans from Fountaine Pajot shipyard. The first two copies will be delivered at the end of January. They are followed by twelve Dufour monohulls, about fifteen meter boats, then about twenty other catamarans. Ultimately, the renewal of the entire Dream Yacht fleet, which includes eight hundred vessels, should be completed by 2030.

It was thanks to the Covid-19 crisis that put the pleasure ride on hold that Mr Bonnet says he has rethought his strategy. “During the pandemic, we decided to take the path of sustainable development”, explains the founder of the boat rental company. Still, the announcement also sounds like a response to questions from authorities and public opinion concerned about the environmental impact of the boom in business aviation and, to a lesser extent, pleasure cruising.

Wait for the call

For the Dream Yacht, the choice of power is still not insignificant. While respect for the environment is gaining awareness in Europe, other markets such as the United States are still in high demand for thermally powered ships. “We expect, but there is no customer demand yet” For a more environmentally friendly engine, admits the boss of Dream Yacht.

A way to wait for the invitation, as Mr. Bone is confident that the government will accept in the short to medium term “Two Key Measures for Pleasure Boating: The Switch to Electric Motors and Regulating Docks”. The latter measure aims, according to him, to preserve certain fragile ecosystems, such as “The area of ​​Posidonia [des herbes marines] or coral reefs ». But, according to him, “The sector’s global leadership role is pioneering because competitors are watching”.

Dream Yacht will have to reach for the wallet. To renew the fleet of 800 ships, the lessor plans to invest 80 million euros annually until 2030. According to Mr. Bonet, the transition to electricity increases the cost of acquiring value. “15% to 20%, average price from 800,000 to one million euros”. In consideration, each electric boat would cost, on average, “170,000 euros more thermal engine ship”.