Germany's Pioneer Yachts has launched the first hull of its PY60 solar-electric catamaran at the company's shipyard in Stralsund. Pioneer One measures 18 metres. She'll now run through sea trials before heading to the Cannes Yachting Festival, where she makes her world debut from September 8 to 13.
Founder Mike Frank, an engineer who spent years in Germany's solar power sector before turning to boats, plans to skipper the yacht himself and use the operating data to sharpen future builds. "Seeing Pioneer One in the water is one of those moments you don't forget," Frank said. "This isn't another electric catamaran. It's a completely new kind of yacht for this segment, built for real operation."
The PY60 runs on a 48-volt electrical backbone, keeping onboard systems simple rather than chasing high-voltage complexity. Cruising speed sits at 7.5 knots, with a top speed of 11 knots. Exterior lines and naval architecture come from Italy's Cossutti & Ganz, with interiors from Micheletti + Partners, both studios with form on larger superyacht projects.
It's Pioneer Yachts' first model since the brand was founded two years ago, built by a team with more than 275 years of combined boatbuilding experience between them. We covered the PY60's full specification, including its solar and battery numbers, when we learned that the PY60 would be heading to the Cannes Yachting Festival for its global debut.
