Since 2016, Soel Yachts has long attempted to amplify and adapt the nascent abilities of electric boats utilizing sophisticated efficiency in its battery lineup. Its Soel Haven, a literal floating and fully sustainable island, is proof of the Dutch company's commitment to think boldly and efficiently in its innovation, but the brand new Senses 62 likewise only adds to the inginuity in its design and tech know-how.
As the name implies, Soel Yachts' Senses is a 62-foot solar electric catamaran, which features some powerful batteries - so powerful, in fact, that the company boasts a "trans-ocean range" for its newest vessel. The brains behind Senses include Joep Koster, Linda Brembs, and David Czap, all of who have worked under Soel Yachts to deliver custom electric builds alongside even sophisticated ferries.
With Senses, the company aims to blend comfort with extreme mobility. The vessel has not one but two very different propulsion systems, making Senses ideal for nearly any oceanic voyage. The Cruise propulsion system allows the catamaran 282 kWh of battery capacity alongside a 100kW DC generator maintained by two 100 kW electric motors. Its subsequent Power propulsion system adds two 200 kW electric motors on top of a 150kW DC generator and 424 kWh lithium battery set that enables the vessel a top speed of 14 knots.
In addition to its own base power allotted from propulsion systems, Soel's Senses likewise has 17.6 kWp solar energy generating panels all integrated into the roof of the vessel. These panels also have proprietary cooling systems that boost energy allotment by 15-20%. The panels allow the boat up to 50 kWh and are designed in order to alleviate dock charging, despite the fact that it still also has three phase and AC single shore power charging on top of the DC fast charging potential.
For comfort, the Senses comes readily equipped with all the trappings of a luxury home, including two dining rooms, multiple lounges, an office space, and a bar area with its own open gallery. The vessel will comfortably fit a total of nine passengers and three staff, which have cabins sequestered away from the main passengers.
If its base batteries just weren't enough, Soel allows customers to bump internal battery capacities to a total of 564 kWh, which would then give the vessel a purported 263 nm of range at a speed of 4 knots. The combined solar panels and dual propulsion systems give Senses a breadth of potential. Soel claims it can literally traverse across oceans, as the "trans-ocean" denomination implies.
Soel gives no word on any official debut date, but the Dutch company does provide an online form for those interested in potentially reserving theirs today. The shipbuilders have said that negotiations are already underway with the first batch of vessels for its Senses 48 yacht and the 62 electric yachts. Soel's Senses is marketed at an MSRP of €2.7 million, or about $2.95 million.
