Silent Yacht 62 Completes Solar-Power Transatlantic Voyage
A Silent Yacht 62 Tri-Deck completed its transatlantic voyage, landing in Antigua, on December 15, after a 4-week passage. The passage started in November in Gibraltar.
Departing from Gibraltar and following a route via Morocco, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, the 62’ (18.9-meter) catamaran crossed the Atlantic Ocean with remarkable calmness, efficiency, and minimal fuel consumption. The journey reaffirmed Silent Yachts’ leadership in clean-energy navigation. A personal dream.
Beyond the technological achievement, this crossing is a deeply personal story. Jay Dollries, owner of the SY62 3-Deck Open “100%”, spent four years preparing to fulfil his lifelong dream—crossing the Atlantic on his own yacht. Joining him were: Randy Lane, close friend and long-time adventure partner; Will Mitchell, captain of “100%” embarking on his first Atlantic passage; Michael Scherdel, mechanical engineer and kite propulsion specialist; Steve Bell, Chairman of Silent Yachts, leading navigation on his third Atlantic crossing and his first aboard a Silent Yachts catamaran.
Real Data, Transparent Results
The Atlantic crossing allowed the crew to test every system in real-world offshore conditions. As with all Silent Yachts’ catamarans, four technologies formed the backbone of the journey: high-efficiency solar panels generating 50-60 kWh on optimal days, liquid-cooled LFP battery banks powering both propulsion and household systems, emission-free electric motors, and a range extender used strictly to recharge batteries when required, when there’s not enough sun.
The SY62 3-Deck Open has proven that long-range solar electric cruising is a reality today,” said Steve Bell, Chairman of Silent Yachts. “We crossed an ocean quietly, efficiently, and dependably, demonstrating what clean propulsion can achieve.”
With daily energy needs of between 350 and 600 kWh depending on the speed, the yacht operated with exceptional autonomy. A major element of the project was transparency. Silent Yachts shared daily solar yield, consumption metrics, and system performance openly on a dedicated website www.silentatlantic.com and on social media.
At the same time, the crossing generated a substantial body of operational data, far beyond what could be communicated in real time. This data is now being analyzed and will be shared in the coming weeks, offering deeper insights into long-range solar-electric ocean cruising under real-world conditions.