, 55.40 m
Like most global industries, the charter industry is making a conscious effort to reduce its environmental impact. Many yachts have begun to play their part by recycling, cooking with local produce, and offering marine life friendly sun creams and cleaning products. However, some yachts have taken this a step further, partaking in ocean clean ups, using solar panels, and installing large batteries to reduce their reliance on fuel run generators.
Some truly special yachts push the boundaries of what has become the ‘norm’ and look to be innovative. Croatian catamaran MALA is one such yacht. MALA is pioneering the future of yachting by installing new lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. These new batteries are a game changer for the industry, offering a more environmentally friendly way to charter as well as improving guest experience.
Most yachts use traditional lead-acid batteries to provide electricity for starting the engines and to power their on-board appliances. On a week-long charter, in order to run electrical appliances such as air-conditioning units, the batteries need to be charged multiple times either while docked in the marina, charged through the engine alternator, fuel powered generator or via solar panels.
With the new faster charging and larger capacity LiFePO4 batteries, this is no longer the case.
We chatted to MALA’s Captain Zoki to find out more about what these new batteries mean for MALA and the Croatian yachting industry.
What kind of batteries do you have and what is their capacity?
“The battery chemistry is lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). Our capacity is 60 kWh- which is similar to most of today’s electric cars. It’s a lot, but they weigh the same as the lead-acid batteries that we used to have, and those had only a fraction of today’s capacity.”
What are the advantages of the new battery system?
“It means NO more noise, NO more nasty fumes, NO vibrations, NO diesel, NO smell, NO pollution of any kind.”
“For 99% of charter boats in Croatia, if the boat has an A/C system, as soon as they leave dock, they have to use their generator(s) to be able to run it. With this new system, we can run all A/C units plus everything else on board SOLELY on batteries!”
What does this mean for your guests?
“Imagine yourself anchored in a bay, on a beautiful summer night. You have just had a great dinner, you are enjoying a glass of wine lying down on the bow, enjoying the tranquillity. When it’s time to go to bed, your cabin is cool and quiet and it’s going to stay like that all night long.”
“Or during the day, if you want to have a nap, or shower, or just get away from the heat, all you need to do is press a button and enjoy the cool, while your travel buddies are having a swim in the sea without the fumes and the noise from a generator. Pretty amazing don’t you think?”
How are the batteries charged and what is the environmental impact?
“We have lots of solar panels, plus whenever we start the main engine, our alternators are so large that they charge the batteries quite fast. On our turnover days, we can connect to the power on shore and charge them fully.”
“If it’s a cloudy day, we have to start the generator, but only for a few hours. Charging is super-fast. With this system we reduced the generator hours by a staggering 90%. This means 90% less pollution, less fuel and fumes, less CO and CO2. This is the future and we are proud to be the pioneers in our category.”
What is your message to other charter boats?
“Do your part. Reduce all kinds of pollution in every possible way. LiFePO4 batteries are getting cheaper and lighter, and on boats they can last at least 5 times longer than lead-acid.
Sail when you can, recycle, use eco-friendly cleaning products, reduce the hours of your diesel/petrol engines as this is the only sustainable way forward.”
Catamaran MALA sleeps up to six guests in 3 en suite cabins. MALA has limited availability remaining for 2025. We recommend booking this catamaran early. Or why not look ahead to 2026?!
WEEKLY CHARTER RATES:
Season (1 July – 1 September): €20,900 + €4,000 APA
Mid Season (1 June – 1 July & 1 September – 1 October): €17,900 + €4,000 APA
Low Season (1 May – 1 June & 1 October – 1 November): €13,900 + €4,000 APA
Zoki & Sanja, pioneers in the crewed catamaran charters in Croatia continue to introduce the latest trends, developing this industry in the right direction. We feel very fortunate to be working with brilliant people, to be expanding horizons and together, curating the perfect charters.
Sasha, Founder of HIGH POINT YACHTING
©2013 High Point Yachting
Specialists in yacht charter. All right reserved.
