The sailing yacht Zero, 68.91 metres in length, launched on 10 July 2026 in Harlingen, the Netherlands. She is the first vessel of this size designed to operate solely on renewable energy harvested on board, without compromising comfort or cruising autonomy. The project took seven years, spanning conceptual development, technical studies, engineering and construction.
The technical solutions on board include breathing masts, a 250 kW hydrogeneration system, a micro-grid, hybrid photovoltaic-thermal panels and a dedicated control software suite, alongside proprietary approaches to energy storage, management and efficiency. These technologies are being shared on an open-source platform so other operators in the sector can study, adopt and adapt them for other projects.
The idea originated in 2019. Over the following four years the project took shape with Vripack handling exterior and interior design, Dykstra Naval Architects the hull shape, sailplan and thruster design, and Vitters Shipyard the build. Construction began in 2023 at Jacht- en Scheepswerf Gouwerok, where the aluminium hull was built before being transferred by barge to the Vitters Shipyard in Zwartsluis for outfitting, supported by a number of subcontractors and technology partners. On 6 July 2026, Zero left the construction hall and was transferred by barge to Harlingen for her technical launch and the stepping of her Panamax-height masts.
The hull is finished in Palma Blue, with decks covered in Tesumo, a teak alternative. Her lines recall the style of earlier-era sailing vessels, combined with contemporary details such as her modern-styled dorades.
Marnix Hoekstra, Co-creative Director at Vripack, said: "SY Zero has been our Perfect Storm. It challenged us in all the ways we like to be tested, and we will forever be proud to have been part of this very special team."
Louis Hamming, CEO of Vitters Shipyard, added: "We look forward seeing SY Zero in her natural habitat, and showing the world what can be achieved when creative minds embark together on a voyage to create a yacht that proves what can be done to make the world and the seas a little better."
The launch does not mark the end of the project but the start of a sea trial period, during which the yacht's systems will be tested and validated and initial data gathered. Mark Leslie-Miller, Partner at Dykstra Naval Architects, said: "For years, Zero has existed as a vision, a series of calculations, design studies, and engineering hypotheses. Seeing her afloat transforms all of that into a living experiment."
Data from the yacht's systems, along with research insights, software code and system design schematics, are being made public via the non-profit, open-source Foundationº platform at foundationzero.org. Foundationº was given exclusive access to the project to document its technologies. The foundation has covered the project in depth but is not involved in the build and holds no ownership stake in the vessel.
SY Zero — Specifications
Length overall (LOA): 68.91 m
Beam: 11.11 m
Draft (min/max): 4.22 m / 8.4 m
Displacement: 456 tonnes
Gross tonnage: 494 GT
Air draft: 62.5 m (Panamax)
Sail area (upwind): 1,912 m²
Hull construction: aluminium
Configuration: ketch with lifting keel
Batteries: 5.2 megawatt-hours / 28 tonnes
Naval architecture: Dykstra Naval Architects
Exterior & interior design: Vripack Yacht Design
Builder: Vitters Shipyard
Year: 2026