Questions & Answers

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ACROSS THE OCEAN

What is your route and timeline?

(From: Stefan, Germany)

Thanks, Stefan, we are heading to Lanzarote to arrive tomorrow (17th Nov), then south towards Cape Verde before picking up a westerly track towards Antigua. We should arrive in Antigua in mid-December.

How much will you use the generator?

(From: Dean, USA)

It depends on many factors, including our speed, solar gain, ocean currents and the use of the kite. We have 2700 litres on diesel onboard but our plan is to arrive in Antigua with as much as possible in our tanks.

We are currently running at 5 knots with 10 hours on batteries and 3 hours of generator use. This should reduce with the trade winds and kite in operation. Keep following us for more information.

Will you be doing a comparison between the 62′ that you are on versus the 64′ that crossed ~5-6 years ago? It would be interesting to see the comparison of efficiency and technology as Silent Yachts has evolved.

(From: Matthew, USA)

We’ll definitely share some comparisons as we collect real numbers along the way. The Silent 64 was the pioneer and completed the first solar-powered Atlantic crossing for Silent Yachts. And Yes! You’re right a lot of things have changed in the last 6 years, and we’re so proud of the updates made to the battery management as well as the battery technology itself.

Does the vessel have the kite option? I’d love to see data on kite usage on a crossing!

(From: Brian, USA)

Yes, We’re getting ready to launch the kites soon! We have packed several in different sizes and have a kite surfing expert aboard to help us with the finer details. He even brought glow-sticks to attach to the kite so we may be able to use it at night. As soon as conditions allow, we’ll get the kite up and see what it can deliver.

What is the max daily solar power possible and how much have you been generating per day?

(From: Patrick, USA)

In perfect conditions the solar array can produce around 100 kWh a day. That is the theoretical maximum. Right now, with winter light and cloudy skies, we are seeing closer to 35 kWh. As the crossing goes on, we will keep sharing the real daily numbers, including how much solar energy we generate, how the batteries are behaving and how we use the power on board. It’s a great way to follow the heartbeat of the boat.

What is the capacity of the house batteries and the propulsion batteries?

(From: Patrick, USA)

Everything runs off one main high-voltage battery bank made of 30 lithium batteries. Together they deliver 354 kWh at 800 volts and allow long stretches of quiet electric cruising. There is also a separate low-voltage bank with 30 kWh at 24 volts that powers navigation and safety systems. The setup gives the yacht a lot of independence out here.

Did you have concerns about Orca when exiting the Med?

(From: David, Panama)

I assume you’re referring to the Orcas that like to bite rudders off sailboats. It doesn’t really happen as often as social media makes it seem, and there were plenty of targets for those sea puppies to chew on as we left Gibraltar, so no, we weren’t too concerned.

Dear Silent Crew, it is fascinating to follow your journey. I look forward to every new report. Could you also make a video report about setting up the kite? I wish you a safe journey at all times and will continue to follow your progress. Best regards Nicola

(From: Nicola Wenzel, Germany)

There will be more videos and data on the kite as we progress.

How do you handle waste management?

(From: Randall Brady, USA)

We carefully manage waste with trash compactors and waste separation. Trash is stored in one of the forward lockers in sealed bags.

Approximately when do you plan to be crossing by the Florida Keys?

(From: Michael Ferrari, USA)

We will stop in Antigua, then maybe onwards to the British Virgin Islands.

The updates don’t seem to be including “daily updates on speed, distance and weather”. I’m curios to see updates on daily distance, speed, weather/sea conditions, power use, if generator was run, if kite was used, etc. Things that will really show the usage and ability of this yacht. Thanks.

(From: Brian Loeffer, USA)

Please see our daily posts, We are generally cruising at between 5.0 to 6.5 knots. The wind and swell are behind us, blowing around 18 knots and a 2-3 metre swell. Power consumption is about 350 kWh per 24 hrs plus any solar gain (shown on the website) and any efficiencies from the kite.

I am glad to see you using the Kite. Do you know the increase of speed you got using the kite and what was the wind speed when you used it?

(From: Dave Palmer, Canada)

This is a balance between an increased speed and a reduce kW consumption. See our recent post and our future posts as we progress on our journey.

Do you sail at night? If not how will you maintain position in the middle of the Atlantic? Or will you just stay in the Atlantic current and move at that 1 to 2 knots per hour at night?

(From:Richard Petko, Canada)

We don’t stop at night, even though we don’t benefit from any solar gain at night and have to rely batteries and the generator.

What is the peek power of your solar panels? Are these manufactured especially for Silent yachts or just adjusted from series production? Thanks a lot, great adventure, what a dream yacht!!

(From: Rainer Seeman, Germany)

These are conventional 400w solar panels. You can see our solar gain each day on the website.

What’s your average speed? With and without the kite. Are you traveling 24/7 or just as charge allows…..thanks, stay safe my friends

(From: Matthew Smith, USA)

We are running between 5 knots and 6.5 knots, the kite gives us a little extra speed but allows us to substantially reduce our power consumption.

What are the wind rates/speeds that you can keep the kite deployed in combination of the degrees off heading that you manage

(From: Capt Christopher King, USA)

See our videos that we post for all the data. We had no issue flying 30 degrees off the stern.

So thrilled to follow this Atlantic crossing. Can’t wait to hear more about the kite performance. I am such a huge fan of Silent Yachts and have cheered your efforts from afar for years now. In what ways is the solar electric propulsion experience superior and inferior to diesel and sailing equivalents for such a crossing?

(From: Jason Waltz, USA)

We expect to use around 2700 to 3000 litres of fuel on our journey from Gibraltar to Antigua. A 60 foot power cat would use 8000-11000 litres of fuel to do the same passage.

This will be the most economical crossing of a 60 foot powered driven vessel across the Atlantic.