Greenline hybrid.

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burgundyben

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I was chatting to a fellow yesterday with a Greenline hybrid, I enquired about batteries, charging, range etc.

Modern styling not to my taste, has acres of space for its length, he said there had been some niggles with the build, but he was pleased with it. He explained how he'd just completed a 20 mile passage all electric having charged from shorepower/solar.

I didn't like to ask about the cost, it all seemed to hang together fairly well for short range local cruising, until we talked about passage speed and it all fell to bits.

5.2 knots.
 
Quite good if you compare to similar length sailing yachts.

It will go faster, I think the smallest engine tops out about 11knts, the biggest engine option will do low 20s

I suppose it's all about choice. I rather like them, but the caravan interior fit out of the early index put me off.
 
I think they are an interesting concept that we will probably see more of in the future.. I wasn't that keen on the interior but that's just me..

Still 20 miles at 5.2kn pretty much for free is not bad.. Even the long range cruisers will sit at 6-8 kn in order to get the range out of the available fuel they have on board..
 
wipe_out said:
Still 20 miles at 5.2kn pretty much for free is not bad.. Even the long range cruisers will sit at 6-8 kn in order to get the range out of the available fuel they have on board..
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So you might save 20 litres of fuel doing that but at planing speed you have to lug around the extra weight of the batteries and electric motor, not to mention the considerable extra cost of those items when you buy the boat. I can't see the hybrid concept in a boat as a money saver, just a bit of green willy waving

The Greenline range stands up on their own as a nice range of boats without the hybrid nonsense but haven't they gone belly up recently?
 
Deleted User said:
So you might save 20 litres of fuel doing that but at planing speed you have to lug around the extra weight of the batteries and electric motor, not to mention the considerable extra cost of those items when you buy the boat. I can't see the hybrid concept in a boat as a money saver, just a bit of green willy waving
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I agree it's not all pro's to the Hybrid design but as battery/solar/electric drive technology improves so will the negative aspects of a hybrid boat diminish.. Just look at how petrol/diesel engine technology has advanced over the last 20 years.. So now that hybrid/electric cars are starting to penetrate so will the technology that powers them improve more quickly.. In 20 years there might be few new boats that aren't hybrids.. I am sure I read somewhere that Fairline were working on a hybrid boat..
 
I think you're viewing it through very blinkered glasses.

OK it's maybe not ideally suited to constant long passage sea work.
But short coastal hops followed by inland waterway exploration along rivers and suitable canals are much more up this boat's street.
You can't go on the plane along inland waterways, but a gentle silent waft at 5 knots would be quite serene.
Yet the boat still has the capability to go coastal when required.

Horses for courses.
 
Deleted User said:
So you might save 20 litres of fuel doing that but at planing speed you have to lug around the extra weight of the batteries and electric motor, not to mention the considerable extra cost of those items when you buy the boat. I can't see the hybrid concept in a boat as a money saver, just a bit of green willy waving
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IMHO the advantage of a hybrid set up has nothing to do with fuel/money saving or waving the green flag. It's all about engine noise.... or the absence of engine noise when you go electric for a while. A hybrid boat can sneak in and out of marinas and anchorages without disturbing anyone. Or you can just cruise along at 5 knots for a few hours in complete silence; enjoying the scenery and sounds of the ocean/wind/wildlife rather than the thunder of a diesel lump. I have read that the option of silent cruising has lured a few raggies into motor boating.

Allegedly the Lithium batteries weigh no more than the usual lead batteries you would have onboard anyway; they just have 4X higher capacity per kilo. The electric motor is something like 25 kg, so not really an issue either. Undeniably there is a rather heavy price to pay up front and the system is obviously much more complicated, which - especially since it's a 1st generation system - probably will cause more than a few headaches and extra repairs as the boats age.

The Greenline range stands up on their own as a nice range of boats without the hybrid nonsense but haven't they gone belly up recently?
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I don't think Greenline went belly up...... it's part of Seaway which have many other activities. But certainly they have some financial troubles and recently sold a production facility in Italy. I don't think they have produced any boats for almost a year now and the dealer network is falling apart as boats can't be ordered let alone delivered. Their website is still up with no mentioning of the problems, so maybe they intend to get production going again.
 
There were a couple of Greenline boats in Bembridge this weekend. Not bad styling but the lack of a bathing platform until you lower the transom seems a silly idea. If you moor stern to and have the platform down you can't fully enclose the cockpit, if you have the platform up, you can't get off the boat. And where do you put the dinghy?
 
I really quite like the Greenline 33 and they are not that badly priced either.

The concept would really work for us as we spend a lot of time inland with only four or five weeks a year on the coast.
 
True Marmite boat, I really like them and accept the compromise of certain aspects of the boat.
For me it's all about the living space and safe wide decks.
The green/quiet running is nice but we would use the boat at displacement speed for open water and electric for river and berthing.
Hope they start making them again
 
burgundyben said:
Did you realise that one of them was a diesel, no electric?
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Was on a diesel one yesterday, as you say no electric option on the diesel version. Engine well insulated but the noise from the fan was a real pain unfortunately and negated IMO the fully insulated VW diesel. I liked some of the design features, particularly the galley that increased in size into the cockpit for alfresco esk dining and the reversing helm bench. As some have said, not for everyone but nice looking boat.
 
LadyJ said:
Was on a diesel one yesterday, as you say no electric option on the diesel version. Engine well insulated but the noise from the fan was a real pain unfortunately and negated IMO the fully insulated VW diesel. I liked some of the design features, particularly the galley that increased in size into the cockpit for alfresco esk dining and the reversing helm bench. As some have said, not for everyone but nice looking boat.
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Am thinking of buying either a new or used Greenline 33 - non hybrid - have not been out to view one yet. But, one of the main selling points for me is the claim of the quiet cabin with Diesel engine running.

Can you elaborate on the annoying fan noise?

That might be a reason not to buy one, imho.

Thank you
 
Thanks J

And what is the noise like when running with the diesel - I'm thinking about the smallest diese as in just inland cruising.

Have you had any issues with yours during your ownership?

Thanks
Simon
 
CX54WEK said:
I really quite like the Greenline 33 and they are not that badly priced either.

The concept would really work for us as we spend a lot of time inland with only four or five weeks a year on the coast.
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May I suggest you look at one out of the water? They have what appear to be two flimsy dagger boards which might make some inland waters tricky & would not help if grounded.

ATB,

John G
 
I looked at them when they first appeared. much better to go fully hybrid with wind power and a small single diesel. Just have to deal with the big flappy things on the extra large radio mast (I think thats what it is). I secretly fancy a moody 45. very mobo esq inside and you can drive it from inside the saloon. Go @ 7 - 8 knots with wind power.
 
"Yeah, but that's often 7-8knts on the wrong direction" - very true, but you can always cheat and turn the diesel engine on and go where you want. the sails make a good stabilisers too.
sorry drifting into a sailing thread. I'll go away and rethink the error of my ways.
 
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