“The kite wing deploys nearly 400 feet above the boat and, according to the builder, adds as much as 5 knots of cruising speed.”
According to Silent-Yachts, 17 orders have been placed for the Silent 60. Nine hulls are under construction, with the first of those—and its kite wing— scheduled to debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in France. The kite wing and its components, including winches, are stowed in a box at the yacht’s bow. The kite wing deploys to nearly 400 feet above the boat and, according to the builder, adds as much as 5 knots of cruising speed to the standard 6- to 8-knot ride while reducing consumption with e-motors, extending the vessel’s overall range. Silent-Yachts also says this new build adds more-powerful solar panels, with the Silent 60’s 42 pieces generating 17 kWp. That’s compared to the Silent 55’s 30 panels, which generate 10.8 kWp.