ZEN50, the First No-Compromise Solar Electric Catamaran, Scheduled to Sail in 2023
The ZEN50 is a fully solar-electric catamaran, and the only production yacht in the world to feature a fully-automated wingsail. The first unit has just been sold to a U.S. owner, ZEN Yachts tells us, and will set sail in 2023, once construction is complete in Barcelona, Spain. Once the first mold is out, construction will start on the second unit.
ZEN stands for Zero Emission Nautic, and the design of the ZEN50 is the work of naval architect Julien Mélot, who aimed to create the perfect vessel for the eco-conscious owner who has already switched to electric in every other aspect of his life. Combining elements from performance catamarans with some of the luxury features of bigger boats, ZEN50 proposes a new approach to clean sailing: fully sustainable, with zero fossil fuels on board.