Electric-as-standard for new Arcona yacht

Arcona Yachts has announced the launch of the new Arcona 415, the first series-produced sailing yacht with electric propulsion as standard. 

Electric propulsion is currently available across all of the Arcona fleet as an upgrade option and Arcona Yachts says it is proud to have the largest fleet of electric ‘zero emissions’ yachts on the water, the first being the Arcona 380Z launched in 2015. 

The Arcona 415 is delivered with a 15kW electric motor, equalling, the company says, the same performance as a 50hp diesel engine.

Urban Lagnéus, Arcona Yachts CEO says: “We can all do our bit to combat climate change, and to be the first yacht builders with zero-emission propulsion as a standard is an important step towards further enjoyment of sailing the Arcona way. The new features on the Arcona 415, and the electric propulsion as a standard have been introduced to ensure that the Arcona 415 remains at the forefront of modern performance cruisers on the market today.”

Arcona Yachts teamed up with Oceanvolt for the propulsion system, creating a lightweight system, which uses hydro regeneration via the propeller to regenerate power while under sail, storing it in the propulsion battery pack for later use. Regeneration depends on sailing speed, however customers have seen the hydro regeneration commence when the yacht is sailing at a speed as low as 3.3 knots.

Lagnéus adds: “Electric is here to stay. Our performance cruisers will always sail beautifully but in light winds, when you need to use the engine, electric propulsion is the way forward. The sleek and light hull design works extraordinarily well with electric propulsion. The ability to spend your leisure time at sea without emissions, and yet gain advantages in comfort and performance, opens up a new world of opportunities for our normal usage.

“The needs of our customers are changing, and we wanted to evolve the design of the Arcona 415 to respond to this. Customers often ask us for a yacht that has the space to sail with friends or grown-up family members, so the option of a three or two cabin version with an additional en suite in the owner’s cabin is increasingly requested.”