ZEN50
The ZEN50 is a game changer. World’s first series production catamaran equipped with a wingsail, it defines a new distinctive class of its own, where genuine zero-emission meets high comfort and performance, limitlessly.
Designed from scratch for ZEN Yachts by award-winning naval architect Julien Mélot, this full carbon catamaran is the ultimate essence of technology driven, high performance and luxurious, eco-friendly leisure yachting.
The blue water capable ZEN50 lightweight racing carbon hulls are combined with a huge solar roof for an unrivaled solar power vs. displacement ratio above 1:1 (18 kW / 17 tonnes), making this yacht completely energy self-sufficient. A revolutionary, fully automated, wingsail - by Ayro© - can be added as a range and speed extender. The yacht’s high capacity battery bank powers a powerful silent electric propulsion, allowing the ZEN50 to achieve 14 knots and maintain high continuous speeds in unrivaled safety and comfort, indefinitely…
The ZEN50 is offered with or without wingsail and comes in 3 main different versions: Racer, Cruiser and Explorer, each dedicated to a different usage and owner profile. We use these versions as a basis to define a final, bespoke specification for each of our valued clients and ZEN Community Members. Scroll down for more details, specifications and prices.
1st WINGSAIL series production yacht in the world!
The OceanWings32 - by Ayro© - was initially developed for Team Oracle, for the America’s Cup 2010 in Valencia. Over years, it has further been developed and automated by VPLP and was installed on Energy Observer in 2019. Two years of field feedback have allowed the Ayro team to fine tune the algorithm commanding the wingsail. The ZEN50 is the first series production leisure craft to be equipped with this fully automated wingsail. It is controlled at the touch of a finger on screens, is automatically adjusted and has several safety modes and features. The two parts of the wingsail can be hoisted and lowered independently and with the simple touch of a button. The wingsail OceanWings32 is the ideal complement for the solar roof for those wishing to cruise long distances off-shore with zero-emissions.
Greatest ratio SOLAR POWER / weight on the market
At 17 tonnes lightweight and 18,000 W of peak solar power, the ratio of the ZEN50 is at over 1 kW per displaced tonne of water or beyond 1:1 which is far beyond any other blue water CE Cat A yacht in this size range.
Lots of solar power for little water to displace is the strong and healthy foundation the energy self-sufficient ZEN50 is built upon.
Performance CARBON sandwich hulls
The hulls of the ZEN50 have been designed from a blank screen for ultimate efficiency - understand minimum drag or minimal energy consumption for a range of speeds from 6 to 10 knots. Their shape is aggressive, sharp and slender. Their reverse bows cut through water like a sword cuts through butter and their curvature is reminiscent of graceful dolphin bodies. These hulls are undoubtedly of the performance type and are built with the best available composites: Carbon fibre and Corecell™. The combination of high strength, low weight and performance design allow the ZEN50 to reach speeds of up to 14 knots.
INFINITE range at high CONTINUOUS speeds
With maximized solar and wind power and minimized energy consumption… the ZEN50 can sail continuously at speeds varying between 6 and 10 knots. Thorough simulations in various sea states and weather system have consistently shown the ZEN50 will be able to achieve performance catamaran speeds continuously without using a genset. With the ZEN50, the world is your oyster and the wildest destinations are within your reach with this self-reliant vessel!
True ZERO-EMISSION operation
The first ZEN50 unit, whose construction started in March 2023, will not be equipped with a genset at all and will not have any fossil fuels onboard. The ZEN50 energy system with its very large capacity 160 kWh battery bank, has been designed to function for days in complete safety with minimal solar energy harvest and no wind. It is perfectly safe with no backup genset and operates 24/7 without any polluting emissions.
NO FUEL, no costs
Naturally, requiring no fuel to operate day in day out is great news for the environment, it is also fantastic news when sailing into remote areas where fuel bunkering might be near impossible or where the fuel quality might be an issue. Finally, it also makes a massive difference in this yacht’s costs of operation. Imagine the hundreds of liters of diesel saved over just a week, the obsolete engine maintenance schedules, the clogged filters and dirty tanks from another age… Welcome to a new burden-free, energy self-sufficient era, welcome to clean and graceful eco-yachting, welcome to ZEN Yachts.
Highest SAFETY & reliability
At ZEN Yachts, we have made some design choices to attain energy self-reliance with the ZEN50 that reduces the habitable volume in the hulls, similar to performance catamarans. Where we have not and will never compromise is on safety. Our main voltage system is 48V making it perfectly safe to work on. The level of redundancy of the batteries and solar panels is 10! The main electrical architecture is split in 2 so that should anything happen on 1 hull, the entire vessel can still operate normally. There are 2 independent helm stations and the ZEN50 is packed with special safety features, nonsubmersible compartments and we can even offer an in-depth practical course on safety equipment usage and management. Sailing with the ZEN50 is not only exhilarating and clean, it is ultra safe!
Unrivaled space & COMFORT
The ZEN50 offers the speeds of a performance catamaran, the comfort of a large motor yacht and the simplicity of an electric car. No less than 2 large day beds, 3 dining areas for over 10 people, 1 professional galley and 2 wet kitchens, 5 heads, up to 4 double ensuite cabins, 1 bunk double and 1 single together with both saloon and dining areas converting into extra sleeping areas, this is simply unrivaled on a 50 ft. catamaran. Add an electric tender, dive compressor, satellite internet, 2 helm stations (cockpit and flybridge), a solar roof that converts into a gigantic upper deck to enjoy the most epic sunrises and sunsets, welcome onboard the ZEN50!
SPECIFICATIONS
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• Length Over All: 15.7m
• Beam: 8.4m
• Depth Molded: 2.7m at midship
• Displacement (light) : 17 T
• Draft (design): 1.3m (4.3ft) incl. keel
• Passenger Capacity: 12
• Berths: 12 (4 x double + 2 x single + saloon)
• Building Material: Carbon Fiber - Corecell™ composite
• Certification: CE Cat A - Unrestricted with 12 persons
Note: Some of the above figures may vary between versions
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• Propulsion: 2 x 50 kW brushless DC motors
• Main Battery Pack Capacity: 160 kWh Lithium
• Solar Roof Peak Power: 18 kWp
• Wingsail: Oceanwings® OWS 3.2 by Ayro©
• Backup Battery Pack Capacity (Nav/Com/Wing): 5 kWh Lithium
• Main System Voltage: 48V - Low voltage for total human safety
• Accommodation Voltage: 110V or 220V
Note: Some of the above figures may vary between versions
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• Max. Speed on e-motor only: 10 kn
• Max. Speed on e-motor & Wingsail: 14 kn
• Cruising Speed for continuous operation - solar only: 4.5 - 5 kn
• Cruising Speed for continuous operation - solar and wing: 6 - 10 kn
• Cruising Speed day time: 8 - 10 kn
• Range Over 24 h: 180+ nm
Note: These values may vary between versions and sea / weather conditions
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• Integrated power management system
• Solar power & energy storage system
• Electric propulsion system
• By-wire steering system
• Helm stations at cockpit & flybridge
• Galley counters, storage, sink, oven, stove, fridge, freezer
• 4 en suite heads with enclosed shower, toilet, sink & faucet (in each head)
• All cabin furniture (as shown in layouts)
• Aft deck fixed dining table and aft sofa with collapsible back rest (as shown in layouts)
• Fore deck day bed and lateral seats (as shown in layouts)
• Outdoor marine cork decking / indoor saloon natural bamboo decking
• All cushions In/Outdoor upholstered with Sunbrella® fabric
• 6 deck hatches
• 2 x 500 liter (2 x 132 gal) fresh water tanks
• 2 x 100 liter approx. (2 x 26 gal) fresh water tanks + 1 fresh water pump
• 2 x 350+ liter approx. (2 x 92 gal) holding tanks
• Railings, cleats and fore deck trampolines
• Mooring equipment: 33 kg Rocna® stainless steel anchor + 50 m stainless steel chain 10 mm + 150 m nylon rope + e-windlass
• Regulatory navigation equipment including navigation lights & mast
• 2 x chart plotter 16”; 2 x VHF with DSC button
• Regulatory Life Saving Appliances
• Critical spare parts kit
Note: The above equipment is for the Racer version. Cruiser & Explorer versions carry additional equipment
ZEN50 Solar Wingsail Electric Catamaran - Solar Roof Layout
ZEN50 Solar Wingsail Electric Catamaran - Flybridge Layout
ZEN50 Solar Wingsail Electric Catamaran - Main Deck Layout - Asymmetric D (subject to changes)
ZEN50 Solar Wingsail Electric Catamaran - Cabin Layout - Asymmetric D (subject to changes)
ZEN50 Solar Wingsail Electric Catamaran - Cabin Layout - Asymmetric E (subject to changes)
SOLAR & WINGSAIL
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OCEAN RACER
Solar & Wingsail, basic configuration ready to sail, navigation, safety, fridge, etc.
EUR 2 400 000
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WORLD CRUISER
Solar & Wingsail, well equipped configuration with, among other options, electric tender, AC and water maker
EUR 2 650 000
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ARCTIC EXPLORER
Solar & Wingsail ultimate configuration with all available options
EUR 2 850 000
SOLAR ONLY
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SEA RACER
Solar only, ready to sail basic configuration with navigation, safety, fridge, etc.
EUR 1 850 000
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CONTINENTAL CRUISER
Solar only, well equipped configuration with, among other options, electric tender, AC and water maker
EUR 2 100 000
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TROPICAL EXPLORER
Solar only, ultimate configuration with all available options
EUR 2 300 000
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