The first Kiwi-built Diesel Electric Hybrid boat will make an appearance at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland in May.

The new Herley Boats 3400 Powercat Diesel/Electric Hybrid is a 10.4-metre displacement catamaran. It features twin 60kw/100kw peak electric motors and 300Nm of torque run in parallel from a 120kw diesel generator, coupled to a permanent magnet generator and Lithium-ion battery storage. This will allow the system to re-charge within an hour while at sea.

The Herley 3400 Powercat will have the ability to run on either lithium or diesel or, for top performance, on both systems simultaneously. The vessel’s on-board control system will allow the skipper to choose between an electric-only drive mode for zero fuel burn; economy cruise for the greatest fuel efficiency; or performance mode for high-speed operation.

“We are literally putting the power in the owner’s hand,” says Herley Boats’ Nick Herley. “They can choose to use their efficient diesel inboard motor, cruise silently on their electric motors or pick up the speed in their Hybrid mode.”