The future on the water is electric: at this year’s International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte, France, Joool, a hybrid drive and intelligent energy system developed by the “Alternatives Energies” team in France. The system is installed in the new Leopard 46 “Electric Drive” sailing catamaran, among others. SeaHelp took a closer look at the system and set sail from Port Santa Lucia in St. Raphael on the Cote d’Azur with the new cat – also presented as a European premiere in La Grande Motte.
Robertson & Caine, South Africa’s largest boat builder for export, the largest catamaran builder in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world, had just unveiled its latest creation, the modern and comfortable 46 Electric Drive sailing cat, as a European premiere in La Grande Motte, France, in April 2025 – just one month later, SeaHelp went on board for a test run on the Cote d’Azur.
In addition to an extra foot in length compared to the previous 45 model, a higher mast for improved performance and an (optionally available) high-performance aramid sail package, the most important new feature of the French bestseller is the hybrid electric drive system from Joool (also optionally available).
“Together with integrated solar panels for more autonomy, this system offers a sustainable alternative to standard motorization with conventional diesel engines,” says Leopard manager Arnaud Savignat, himself an enthusiastic sailor and owner of a Figaro 1.
Charterers and owners of larger sailing cats are familiar with the problem: conventional diesel engines on twin hulls are often noisy, emit pollutants, require a lot of maintenance and the skipper is constantly thinking about the need to “refuel soon”.
A lot of refueling is now a thing of the past: the team behind “Alternatives Energies” presented a hybrid drive and intelligent energy system
If the French company Joool has its way, this could now be a thing of the past. The team behind “Alternatives Energies” presented its hybrid propulsion and intelligent energy system, which has already been used by Leopard Catamarans as well as shipyards such as Fountaine Pajot (Aura 51 / 2 x 25 kW pod motors, 64 kWh battery pack + 24 kW genset) and Dufour Yachts. The Day One 80 from Yacht Concept also relies on the French manufacturer’s solutions for emission-free operation in protected areas.
The system is modular and pre-configured and, according to the manufacturer, can be easily integrated into boats and yachts with “plug and play”. According to the company, the Joool team has more than 25 years of experience in ship electrification; the system has already been installed on more than 100 ships and yachts worldwide.
At the heart of the system is what Joool calls the OneBox, an energy management and conversion unit that integrates all energy sources and services on board, including solar, wind and hydro power, generators and shore power. The OneBox has intuitive user interfaces and real-time monitoring.
Propulsion on the cat is provided by two low-noise, electric pod drives powered by recyclable lithium iron phosphate batteries
There is also an electric pod drive for quiet driving, recyclable lithium iron phosphate batteries and an intelligent energy management system with the option of remote diagnostics if something should happen to the otherwise maintenance-free system while underway.
Advantages for sailors: almost silent cruising in remote bays, visiting marine protected areas that are taboo for combustion engines, anchoring for days without generator operation are all possible. Further arguments are that the system is maintenance-free and easy and convenient to operate using a screen directly from the helm.
The new Leopard 46 “Electric drive” is equipped with 54 kWh batteries and a 32 kW generator. At top speed of the 17-tonne cat (8.4 kn; 1,095 rpm), the system indicated a possible maximum driving time of 80 minutes (full batteries), with an average output of 28 kW / motor.
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When we reduced the speed to 6.5 kn (733 rpm, power 8 kW), the possible remaining travel time was already 2 h 40 min. And at 5 kn speed (537 rpm, 3 kW) it would theoretically have been possible to run for a whole 7 hours under engine(s).
“If you look into the engine compartments aft, they are clean, tidy and really offer much more space than before,” says Leopard employee Arnaud Savignat. The hybrid system achieves “incredible autonomy”. You are no longer limited by filling stations. “And isn’t it fantastic to be able to glide out of the pit and drive out of the port with zero emissions and almost no noise?”, asks Savignat.
The e-hybrid system on board is complemented by four large solar panels on the roof
The e-hybrid system on board is complemented by four large solar panels on the roof, which the owner can add even more as an option. These are installed behind the seating area on the fly and the helm station. “This is not only very practical, it is also sustainable,” says Savignat. Of the 11 units built or under construction so far, two already have the hybrid drive.
The French company Joool was chosen for the system because the company had already “gained a lot of experience in building electric drives for boats”; the team does a “good job”, which is why he would trust them.
“We can benefit from this wealth of experience and don’t have to reinvent the wheel ourselves,” says Savignat. Everything comes from a single source – you would only need a single point of contact for the entire system, which makes things very easy not only for him, but also for the buyers.
© Joool Energy
