273-foot Hybrid Yacht Is A Lesson In Opulent Efficiency

Hybrid cars have become almost old hat these days, with nearly every automaker offering at least some kind of hybrid in their lineup. But hybrid boats are an entirely different story, and a 273-foot mega yacht dubbed The Savannah has just launched boasting a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that its builder Feadship claims is the “first true hybrid superyacht.”

Built over four years and at an undisclosed cost, the Savannah requires a full-time crew of 26 people and took the combined efforts of about 1,000 individuals to complete. As you might expect from a multi-million dollar luxury barge, it’s got some crazy cool features like an underwater viewing lounge, 29-foot deck-level pool, and an open-aft design that allows for lots of fun in the sun. It also absolutely dwarfs other supposed hybrid yachts, about four times over. There are also four guest rooms and a VIP suite with a balcony, a garage, and of course a cinema, the first for any super yacht.

But where The Savannah really shines is efficiency, and its diesel-electric propulsion system allows it to run on either liquid fuel or electric power solely, or combining the two together for greater efficiency. Three large generators and a huge lithium-ion battery pack are coupled to a single diesel engine, rather than the two engines a ship this size would normally require. The unique aft section allows for a propeller that’s 40% bigger than average, and the hull has an especially slim design that also contributes to efficiency.

All told, this huge hybrid yacht is about 30% more efficient than similarly-sized vessels. Considering that even at idle, this yacht consumes about 130 gallons of fuel per hour, such efficiency improvements can save a lot of money for people who clearly have way too much.