Time was, wags tossed around the line, “If you want an eco-friendly yacht, buy a sailboat.” The thing is, most of the big ones have diesel engines and generators, and they use many of the same construction materials as motoryachts. They’re markedly eco-unfriendly when they’re coming and going from port, when the wind dies or if the crew is feeling lazy.
But the world is changing. In recent years, the words “sustainable” and “sustainability” have shouldered their way into nearly every corner of our culture, including the world of yachts. It’s powering a wave across the yachting spectrum and appears to be here to stay.
Most of us go to boat shows to see new models, equipment, accessories, and other goods and services. Throughout the decades, I’ve attended shows around…