Steeler’s sustainable trawler yacht
When a repeat customer asked Steeler Yachts for a sustainable cruiser, the 61S Electric proved to be the perfect answer.
15 February 2023
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Dutch builder Steeler Yachts, which focuses on creating bespoke builds in the 15 to 25 metre range, is no stranger to innovating according to an owner’s wishes. That is certainly the case with Havgap, a Steeler 61S delivered in 2022 with a difference – she has gained the epithet Electric thanks to an all-electric drivetrain installation that enables her to cruise long distances with minimal noise, vibration and emissions.
Featuring exterior and interior design by the Vripack studio, the triple-deck Havgap features extensive accommodation using the yard’s Flat Floor Panorama Concept – an impressive and welcoming series of spaces that are virtually unrivalled at her 18.6-metre overall length, including a supersized single-level living area, which Vripack created by eliminating the sidedecks on the main deck level.
The yacht is the second that her Norwegian owner has built at Steeler, although his new 61S is fully custom and comes in at nearly double the volume despite being a similar length. The core element, though, is the electric drivetrain which delivers a range of 2,000 miles at 6 knots, with coachroof-mounted solar panels and wind turbines helping top up the battery banks.
“The Steeler 61S Electric gives me all the physical comfort of a noise and vibration-free home along with the emotional comfort and warmth of being amongst nature at sea,” enthuses Havgap’s owner. “I’ve waited a long time for a sustainable liveaboard boat, and the Steeler 61S more than delivers.”
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The state-of-the-art drive system is located in the engine space, and comprises a lithium-ion battery-powered 90kW electromotor. The battery sets comprise 18 containers of 16 cells each, sufficient for an action radius of four hours’ sailing, and with the ability to charge from shorepower (which is free in Norway) Havgap provides plenty of potential for clean, effectively free cruising.
For longer coastal or ocean passages, a 75kW diesel generator provides power as a range extender, but the 184kW of batteries are charged in two hours so the generator only needs to run for two hours during a full 10-hour sailing day.
The nod toward sustainability is not just limited to the propulsion and power systems, however – Havgap also features sustainable materials in her interior outfitting such as steel, wood, leather, and composite teak decking.
“The owner was determined to have the most sustainable boat possible, and one that can adapt as battery technology develops,” says Hans Webbing, Owner of Steeler Yachts. “To date, the owner regularly enjoys eight hours of continuous sailing at 5 knots on batteries alone, with normal energy consumption onboard and without needing to engage the diesel genset.”
Adds the owner: “I have sailed 2000nm without using more than 40kW on the electric drive line. Added to that is the special feeling of cruising in total silence for hours when there is no wind at all. It’s like a new way of moving at sea where you blend in with Mother Nature.”
The idea of creating a villa on the sea is evident not only in the space aboard but also the facilities. The upper deck features an enclosed panoramic upper saloon/wheelhouse that leads out to an aft boat deck with plenty of space for entertaining. There’s a crane for launching the tender, but there is also storage for mountain bikes and, under the aft deck, space for kayaks. There is even a heated plunge pool on the foredeck.
The yacht has been designed as a potential liveaboard, with décor drawing on a chic and bright Scandinavian vibe. There’s a floating staircase amidships, diving the aft saloon and starboard-side U-shaped galley from the owner’s suite up forward. Two double/twin cabins on a midships lower-deck section offer comfortable accommodations for guests while still keeping the yacht at a manageable length and with a 1.8-metre draft.
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