The new Sunreef 60 Eco has gone all-out in terms of solar power, which should help keep electric motors topped up for extensive adventuring

There’s a rapidly accelerating trend towards maximising the amount of solar power installed on cruising catamarans, which can be seen being taken up a step on the new Sunreef 60 Eco.

Given multihulls‘ extensive deck areas this makes sense in many ways and obviates the need for a separate diesel generator on an increasing number of craft.

Sunreef has taken this a whole stage further with its latest 60ft sailing catamaran, the Sunreef 60 Eco which is equipped with integrated solar panels that are even built into the hull sides, as well as the superstructure and hardtop. In total up to 17kW of solar can be accommodated in this way. The solar panels were developed in-house and, although they are less than 1mm thick, the Polish company claims they provide a very high degree of resistance to shock and abrasion.

The boat has electric propulsion via twin 70kW electric motors, driven by lithium battery banks of 140-200kW capacity, depending on the option specified. These are sized to be able to run house loads continuously, even overnight, without recourse to the twin 80kW diesel generators that also serve as range extenders.

LOA: 18.4m Beam: 10.2m Mainsail: 110m² Genoa: 90m² Main engines: 2 x 70kW Fuel capacity: 2 x 500L / 2 x 875L Water capacity: 2 x 800L Solar panels: 4.5kWp up to 17kWp

In Yachting World August 2022 issue we talk to one of the biggest names on the offshore racing scene, Kevin Escoffier and take a look around his brand new foiling…