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Long considered marginal in ocean-going yachting, electric propulsion is gradually gaining ground on ocean-going catamarans. Since its creation in 2019, Windelo has been one of the few shipyards to have structured its entire range around this energy logic, with units designed from the outset to integrate lithium batteries, solar production and hydrogeneration.
The French manufacturer is now enhancing its range with the arrival of a new hybrid architecture called Dual Propulsion. This configuration complements the standard electric propulsion already offered on Windelo 50, 54, 58 and 62. Behind this technical evolution lie a number of issues of direct interest to ocean-going sailors: real motor autonomy, on-board energy management, daily use by yachtsmen, and the current limits of all-electricity in ocean sailing.
Electric propulsion designed for real-life cruising applications
At Windelo, electric propulsion remains at the heart of the shipyard's technical project. Unlike some hybrid systems added after the fact, the catamarans' energy architecture was designed from the outset around energy efficiency and on-board production.
On models from 50 to 55 feet, the system combines two Bellmarine 20 kW motors, a 48 V lithium battery bank of around 60 kWh and a 48 V generator to extend range during long motorboat trips.
Energy production is based on a combination of photovoltaic panels, hydrogen generation and 48 V wind turbines. On the future Windelo 62, the solar surface area can reach up to 8,000 W.
In practice, this configuration allows around four hours of navigation at 6 knots in 100% electric mode. This covers a large proportion of a catamaran's daily cruising needs: harbor outings, approaches to anchorages, coastal sailing or short trips without wind.
And it is precisely in these phases that the gains are most noticeable for crews: silence on board, absence of vibration, elimination of fuel odors and reduced fossil fuel consumption.
Why Windelo is now introducing hybrid propulsion
However, the arrival of the Dual Propulsion marks an important change in the manufacturer's approach. Even if Windelo continues to defend full electric power as the benchmark solution, the manufacturer also recognizes the needs of some ocean-going yachtsmen looking for greater engine autonomy for long crossings. The new hybrid architecture combines two 57 hp combustion engines on sail drive with two 18 kW Bellmarine electric motors. The system also retains a 48 V lithium battery pack, hydrogeneration, solar and wind power.
The aim remains to give preference to electric power in the most frequent situations. According to Windelo, more than 80% of engine time on a blue water catamaran is spent on short-duration maneuvers, anchoring or slow sailing. For longer motoring stages, particularly in windless areas or during convoying, internal combustion engines take over, providing a range of between 600 and 800 nautical miles.
This approach is also designed to reassure a segment of the market still hesitant about all-electric power on transoceanic programs.
Energy management has become central to modern catamarans
Aside from the choice between internal combustion and electric power, the main issue now is overall on-board energy management.
Today's ocean-going catamarans are fitted with ever more power-hungry equipment: watermakers, air conditioning, electronics, induction, IT and hot water production. In this context, propulsion becomes just one element in a global energy system that must be constantly optimized.
Windelo has been working with Bellmarine for several years on the integration of various electrical systems. This collaboration has focused in particular on the compactness of installations, the efficiency of propulsion chains and the automated management of energy flows. Dual Propulsion also enables original mixed configurations, with a combustion engine on one side and electric propulsion on the other, to limit overall consumption. A solution that is still rare in production yachts.
The offshore catamaran market is evolving rapidly
The arrival of this new offer also comes at a time of rapid transformation in the multihull cruising market.
Owners are now looking for boats capable of generating a significant proportion of their energy on board, while limiting the constraints associated with fuel and maintenance. But at the same time, expectations remain high as regards versatility, autonomy and the ability to maintain high average speeds over long distances.
This trend is prompting construction sites to increase the number of intermediate hybrid solutions, rather than making an immediate switch to 100% electric. At Windelo, this strategy is also reflected in the arrival of the new Windelo 58 and 62. These long-range cruisers have been developed around larger photovoltaic surfaces, increased energy capacities and a technical architecture designed from the outset to integrate these propulsion systems.
In ocean-going yachting, the question is no longer whether electrics have a place on board, but rather how to adapt these technologies to the real needs of long-distance sailors.
