Sunreef Unveils a New Hydrogen-Powered Catamaran That Makes Its Own Fuel

After teasing its revolutionary new sailing catamaran last July, Sunreef Yachts is giving seafarers a closer look at the Zero Cat concept.

The Polish yard has just released the first renders of the hotly anticipated multihull. (The previous image didn’t really count, as it hardly showed anything.) The 90-footer, which is being spearheaded by Sunreef’s R&D department, will be able to produce its own fuel on the high seas for “unlimited autonomy.”

The newcomer sports a sleek silhouette and clean lines that are synonymous with the Sunreef fleet but has a more sculpted stern that angles aggressively toward the water. Staircases at the back of each hull also lead toward the water or the partially covered aft deck if you walk in the opposite direction. It appears there is an outside helm on the flybridge with a wraparound lounge. There also looks to be another alfresco lounge forward.

It’s the futuristic green tech that really sets this cat apart, though. Sunreef says the Zero Cat will be equipped with a reformer that can transform methanol into hydrogen. The fuel-cell system will generate clean energy that will be used for both the electric propulsion and the hotel load, according to the yard. As such, the yacht will produce no emissions, nitrogen oxides, or sulfur oxides. It will also make minimal noise and vibrations, ensuring you have a smooth and peaceful ride.

In addition to the hydrogen production system, the Zero Cat will produce more green power from hydro generators and solar cells. The latter, which Sunreef calls a “solar skin,” is built into the yacht’s entire bodywork and can continuously generate power from the sun so long as it’s shining. The “solar skin” has already appeared on a number of models, including a 100-foot sailboat, a smaller 80-foot sailer, and an 80-foot cat.

Sunreef has even found a way to counter the stigma that hydrogen power has carried since the Hindenburg crash in 1937. It says no high-pressure hydrogen storage will be needed on board and thus it can guarantee the highest level of safety.

Sunreef still has a ways to go before it can implement the aforementioned tech, but it seems to be making solid progress with the Zero Cat.