Knysna Yachts selects Integrel E-Drive as hybrid option for their catamarans

Knysna Yacht Company and Integrel Solutions are pleased to announce a new partnership that will bring Integrel E-Drive hybrid technology to Knysna’s range of luxury sailing catamarans.

Selected by Knysna as its hybrid propulsion solution, Integrel E-Drive gives owners the opportunity to enjoy quiet, electric propulsion alongside highly efficient onboard power generation – without the need for a separate traditional generator.

The partnership reflects the shared vision of both companies to offer boat owners a more comfortable, efficient and sustainable way to enjoy time on the water, without compromising the performance and luxury expected from a modern cruising catamaran.

A new approach to onboard energy

Integrel E-Drive is designed to deliver energy-independent boating for environmentally conscious boat owners. The compact system seamlessly transitions a boat between conventional fuel-powered propulsion and electric propulsion, while also providing substantial onboard power generation.

Factory-fitted between the engine and gearbox by the boat manufacturer, E-Drive integrates directly into the vessel’s existing propulsion system. This means owners can benefit from electric hybrid propulsion and power generation without the need for additional major equipment or significant changes to the boat’s layout.

When electric propulsion is selected, the fossil-fuel engine is simply switched off. The throttle operates in the familiar way, allowing the boat to be driven normally – but without the noise, vibration and smell associated with a running combustion engine.

For multihulls such as Knysna’s catamarans, the dual-engine Integrel E-Drive 30 DE provides 40 hp of electric propulsion and up to 30 kW of onboard power generation, that can be stored in a lithium 48V battery bank. E-Drive has been designed with space-conscious boatbuilding in mind, adding less than 150mm to the axial length of the engine and gearbox, with no compromise to usable space or performance.

Together, these capabilities provide a flexible hybrid solution that can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, eliminate the need for a separate generator and deliver a quieter, more comfortable experience onboard.

“We are delighted that the team at Knysna have chosen Integrel E-Drive as their hybrid solution,” said Trevor Howard, CEO of Integrel Solutions. “Knysna builds exceptional cruising catamarans for owners who value performance, comfort and time spent away from the everyday. E-Drive complements that philosophy by bringing electric propulsion and high-capacity onboard power generation together in one compact system, allowing for greater freedom and energy independence for owners.”

Knysna 550 to premiere at Annapolis

The partnership will be showcased at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland, from 15–18 October, where Knysna Yachts will premiere its new Knysna 550 to the public for the first time.

Visitors will be able to see a model of the Integrel E-Drive motor on the Knysna stand and speak with both teams about how the technology works and how it integrates into a Knysna catamaran. Visitors are also warmly invited to step aboard the new Knysna 550 and discover more about Knysna’s approach to modern, sustainable cruising.

“Becoming hybrid ready is an important step for Knysna and our customers,” said Grant Boshard, Owner of Knysna Yacht Company. “Our owners are increasingly looking for ways to enjoy greater comfort, efficiency and independence onboard, and Integrel’s technology provides an elegant solution. By combining electric propulsion with onboard power generation, E-Drive gives us the opportunity to offer hybrid capability without adding the complexity of a separate system or the space requirements of a conventional separate generator. We are excited to introduce this partnership and share more about what it means for the future of Knysna catamarans.”

Knysna Yachts is proud to be ‘Hybrid Ready’ with Integrel E-Drive. Visit the team at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, 15–18 October, to see the new Knysna 550, explore the E-Drive technology and discover the future of hybrid cruising.