The Silent Revolution of Sailing Yachts and Smarter Cruising

Sustainability has become a central concern in every industry, and yachting is no exception. As environmental awareness grows, the luxury marine world is re-evaluating its practices to align with a greener future. One segment that stands out in this shift is sailing yachts. With their reliance on wind power and inherently lower carbon footprint, sailing yachts offer a compelling case for sustainable yachting. Northrop & Johnson is fortunate to have Sean McCarter, the world’s top sailing yacht broker for 2024, within its ranks. Selling more sailing yachts than anyone else last year, he is uniquely positioned within the market, understanding the intricacies of these unique yachts and the needs and wants of sailing yacht owners. 

McCarter began his career as a sailing yacht captain, “In my first transatlantic crossing as skipper, we turned on the diesel engine of our Nautor Swan 76 to motor out of Santa Cruz Marina, Tenerife. It took about 20 minutes before we were clear and hoisted mainsail and poled out a jib. We turned off the diesel engine and proceeded to sail silently and effortlessly for about 14 days until we arrived at the Northern side of St Lucia in the Caribbean. We turned on the engine for another 20 minutes to motor into Rodney Bay marina.” A comparable 80-foot displacement motor yacht might burn more than 10 tons of diesel on the same 2,500 crossings, 30 per hour at eight knots. This is a powerful example of how sailing yachts can truly be greener in a world of large white hulls. 

“It’s encouraging to see the growing interest and even determination clients have toward sustainable yachting,” says McCarter. “But it can be frustrating at times when it seems like we’re trying to reinvent the wheel by throwing money, lithium and solar at yachts to enhance their propulsion when humans have been refining wind-driven vessels for thousands of years with great success.”

There is a growing demand for eco-friendly options among clients. “We listed a very futuristic trimaran, the Hanstaiger X1 and had literally hundreds of inquiries about building/buying eco-friendly yachts,” says McCarter. “This led us to partnerships and projects with various builders and designers around the world, and we have gained a huge amount of knowledge and progress since then.”

McCarter acknowledges that, thankfully, leading sailmakers are constantly developing and researching new lower-impact materials. Their goal is to develop products that are recyclable, reusable, and less dependent on fossil fuels. And the advent of AI-powered systems that can predict weather patterns, optimize routes, and even assist in sail trimming via smart sensors for maximum efficiency is a definite benefit. These technological advancements are transforming the sailing superyacht industry, making it more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable.

“Materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber are quite difficult to reuse, although we are making advances,” admits McCarter. “There is a growing interest in the use of wood, especially when sourced from sustainable sources. We have examples of power and sail, such as TASMAN, S/Y IN LOVE and the rebuilt classic Fife MARISKA.” He also shares, “Another good example is the collaboration of award-winning superyacht designer Javi Juadenes collaborating with the team at Baltic Yachts to create the eco-friendly Café Racer. PINK GIN VERDE’s hull utilized flax, a hard-wearing cork deck, re-generating technology combined with solar electric.” 

With this decided push to be “greener,” a growing number of companies are using what is referred to as “greenwashing” tactics, outwardly portraying themselves as sustainable while not truly being so. This is where a knowledgeable yacht broker can really help their clients, helping them navigate between the hazards of inferior products, better value for money and more effective and sustainable solutions. Brokers also actively work with established designers and builders who are at the cutting edge of sustainable technology.

“One of our most exciting listings is Ares’ 62m Superketch SIMENA,” shares McCarter. “Expected to launch in June and ready for delivery in August, SIMENA is a sailing yacht with parallel hybrid technology allowing six different modes. You can leave the marina or explore environmentally sensitive areas ‘smoke-free’ in fully electric mode. There are various methods of diesel/electric propulsion and also the capability to regenerate electricity via the propellor whilst sailing. Needless to say, there are huge benefits all around, with reduced emissions, reduced noise/vibration and a wider operational range.”

One of the best places to explore sustainable sailing yachts is at a boat show. The world’s premier sailing yacht show is held annually at the end of April in sunny Palma de Mallorca. With a local office, which is home to McCarter, Northrop & Johnson always has a presence at the show. “The Palma International Boat Show/Palma Superyacht Village presents the best opportunity for sailing yacht owners, buyers and enthusiasts to really experience these yachts in person to understand how exceptional they are,” says McCarter.

In a world striving for cleaner and greener ways to explore, sailing yachts offer a timeless solution. They combine the romance of the sea with a practical commitment to sustainability.