Solar-powered boats
The Sun Concept brand was created in 2015 with the aim of mass-producing solar-powered vessels. The Sunsailer 7.0 was the first project of the Portuguese manufacturer. This 6.98 m long model was designed to navigate inland waters, such as estuaries or rivers, and is intended for both boaters and professionals.
Sun Concept now offers a new model, the CAT 12.0, a 12 m solar-powered catamaran that can accommodate up to 42 people in its "professional" version. With its 27.5 m2 open main deck area, this catamaran can be fitted out according to your needs: tourist visits, events, aquaculture, fishing..
"Over the past four years, Sun concept has devoted most of its production to professionals, as they are the ones who are most sensitive to the use of these technologies for environmental, commercial and economic reasons" explains Manuel Costa Braz, CEO of Sun Concept.
Seducing boaters
But with this new model with its modern lines, Sun Concept aims above all to seduce boaters. If the first model has been launched in its Open version, the second model is a "Cruising.
"One of our short-term objectives was to reach boaters and with the catamaran we are presenting, it's done. The proof is that the 2nd unit is sold to a private owner, in the Cruise version" adds Manuel Costa Braz.
The Cruise version has two cabins - one in each hull - and the main deck is enclosed, just like on a normal catamaran. There is a kitchen, living room and dining room area.
A boat à la carte
The propulsion remains the same. This means that CAT 12.0 uses sunlight, stored in the boat's photovoltaic panels installed on the roof, as an energy source. The idea is to sail at low speed.
The boat is available à la carte. The most accessible Cruising version is made of fiberglass with AGM batteries with a power of 84 kW and will cost 364?250 euros. At a speed of 9 knots, the range without sunshine is 4 hours and 10 minutes. The gain in autonomy with sunlight is 1 hour*.
The most luxurious version has a carbon fibre hull with 120 kW LiFePO4 batteries and offers a 10-hour battery life at a speed of 9 knots. That's almost twice as much. The gain is increased by 3 hours and 15 minutes with sunlight*. The Cruising version is available at 481?750 euros.
* These data are communicated by the site and obviously depend on the sunshine.
Internationalization process
Sun Concept has dealers in Portugal, Germany and Switzerland. "We have French customers, but we have not yet looked for resellers. 2019 will be the year to launch this research" concludes the CEO.
The manufacturer is currently studying the possibility of presenting its catamaran at the Cannes Yachting Festival next September.
