Hinckley Dasher
Hinckley Yachts took the wraps off its all- electric Dasher at the Newport International Boat Show in September. A new concept for the iconic boatbuilder, the Dasher is being marketed as the world’s first fully electric luxury yacht.
The 28 ½ - footer is built atop a lightweight epoxy- carbon hull and draws only 2 feet, 4 inches. To save weight, Hinckley trims the Dasher with “artisanal teak” — a lightweight, hand-painted epoxy composite with varnished- teak looks, but without the traditional maintenance costs. ( I thought it was virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.)
The Dasher has a pair of 80- hp Torqeedo electric motors powered by twin 40-kwh BMW i3 lithium-ion batteries. The boat has a 40-mile cruising range at 9 knots and sports a 16- to 23-knot fast cruise/top speed. A dual 50-amp charging system works with standard dockside shore power cords and tops off the batteries in less than four hours.
“The Hinckley Whisper Drive silent propulsion system combines the latest hydrodynamics, electric power and digital control systems to achieve the performance handling and maneuverability that discerning clients will expect,” says Peter O’Connell, president and CEO of The Hinckley Co.
The open layout has a U-shaped bow lounge, an upholstered bench seat forward of the center console and a two- person helm seat with bench seating abaft it. A glass windshield protects the helm and dash, and it lowers electrically for chats between the skipper and guests in the bow.
The dash and console have titanium elements crafted using a 3-D printer. The helm has a multifunction display, engine controls and a joystick that, with the bow thruster, allows easy handling in close quarters. An open transom enhances water access.
Hinckley says the next available construction slots are for summer 2018 delivery.