Luxury catamaran builder Sunreef has developed a radical new 40m explorer model, designed to take its owners further off the beaten track. Sleeker and more sustainable than ever, the new Explorer Eco 40m promises a lighter footprint wherever it goes without sacrificing the comfort for which the brand is famous. It marks a big step forward in sustainable yachting.

Catamarans are the natural choice for an owner concerned about their environmental impact. With slimmer, more efficient hulls, it takes much less energy to propel them at speed through the water. Couple the favourable physics with Sunreef’s ultralight composite build and a state-of-the-art electric powertrain, and the result is an electric boat that can cross oceans.

What is more, Sunreef’s proprietary solar skin turns every external surface of the yacht’s hull and superstructure into a power source. Taken together, it amounts to hundreds of square metres capable of generating enough power to run every system on board, from the air con and the icemakers to the Jacuzzi and the audiovisual equipment.

“Sunreef has been at the cutting edge of sustainable yachting since its launch,” said founder and CEO Francis Lapp. “We are the only superyacht builder to have successfully developed the idea of embedding solar cells into large-scale fibreglass structures. But we’re not content to let technology alone do the work. Many elements of our wonderful, custom interiors can also be sourced from recycled and renewable materials. From hemp composite to recycled fabrics - it’s all up to the owner.”

That interior that has been carefully crafted by the in-house design team at Sunreef to offer contemporary living over many hundreds of square metres. Natural materials, fine woods and an organic, curved finish create a warm, timeless interior. And with floor-to-ceiling glazing, abundant natural light and a sense of closeness to the ocean bring the refined styling to life.

From outside, the superstructure almost seems to float above the decks. Large glass surfaces and sliding doors create a rare sense of connection between the main saloon and the aft deck. Simply open the doors, and this becomes one vast indoor-outdoor social area, complete with sun loungers, al fresco dining for 10 people and refreshing spa pool with a sleek glass wall.

Enliven morning coffee or an evening drink with a magnificent view of the anchorage through the drop-down balcony to port. But the real game-changer is the huge bathing platform aft, which transforms into a beach club for lounging, a watersports launchpad or a dive shop, depending on requirements. Huge fold-down wings here broaden the platform to run round the corner of the boat.

Four large bright guest cabins fill the main deck, while the upper deck is largely devoted to the owner’s suite, creating a secluded oasis of calm. The master stateroom makes the most of the full beam of the boat, allowing a 200cm-wide super kingsize bed to take pride of place, with a huge walk-in dressing room and a sofa area that takes advantage of the view through the floor-to-ceiling glass.

Step out of the sliding doors aft onto the owner’s private terrace, which is scattered with more intimate seating and lounging options. Split between shaded areas and full sun, this deck enjoys a privileged outlook through striking glass bulwarks. And when the view or the conditions demand it, you can also move to the big foredeck lounge area, which towers above the innovative wave piercing bows.

Those bows protrude mightily in front of the natural, elegant curve of the prow, and their job is simple. By slicing into the water ahead of the yacht, they take the sting out of the incoming waves. This makes for a more comfortable guest experience by reducing pitching and lessening the energy needed to propel the yacht. Alongside the twin 540kW motors with their 10-knot cruising speed, the bows are a key part of the Sunreef Explorer Eco’s transatlantic capability.

Explorer and Sunreef ambassador Mike Horn has helped to inspire the design of the new yacht in a growing collaboration with the brand. Francis Lapp joined him in Greenland as part of his “What’s Left” sailing expedition, and the experience renewed the resolve to build more sustainable superyachts. “Exploring Greenland under sail with Mike has served as a profound source of motivation for me to continue to act for a sustainable future within the yachting industry,” said Lapp. “That is why Sunreef has launched an Eco version of its 40m Explorer and is continuing to push boundaries both on emissions-free propulsion and renewable materials inside and out.”

The Sunreef Explorer Eco 40m can accommodate 10 guests in astonishing comfort, supported by seven crew members. Build time would be approximately three years, either in Sunreef’s Gdanks shipyard or its new Ras Al Khaimah facility in the United Arab Emirates.