Greenline for Blue Seas- Sydney International Boat Show success!

by Jeni Bone on 2 Aug 2010 In Australia for the local launch of the Greenline 33, Tilen Jakopin, sales director and son and nephew of the co-designers, Jernej and Japec Jakopin, is satisfied with his brand’s debut in Sydney and impressed with the Sydney boat show.

The Greenline 33 Hybrid is the first truly production hybrid boat utilising diesel and solar-electric power. The multi-award winning Greenline is a production built, single cabin boat with a patented 'superdisplacement' hull, a hybrid of power and yacht hull design.

Australia’s first Greenline was sold during the show, to a 'typical customer', in his 50s, looking for a quiet, economical boat for peaceful cruising. 'Our customers have the time to spend with enjoyable boating. They are not looking for adventure, or speed, just tranquil boating, and yes, they have a conscience.'

While she won’t set records for speed or range, the Greenline 33 hits an acceptable top speed of 17 knots and has a range of 700 miles at 7 knots.

The boat was devised in a phenomenal 18 months, and going in to production January 30 this year, has already sold 68 units.

Says Jakopin: 'The reason we have had such quick success is not only because the Greenline 33 suits a lot of people’s needs, we also have a quarter of a century of boat building experience behind us.'

The Slovenian marque is the product of J&J Design and one of the 60,000 boats worldwide based on their 250 design projects. The Greenline 33 was developed at the end of 2007. After exhaustive computer-based studies and simulations using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and Velocity Prediction software, a full range of tank testing trials were performed.

Based on the four geometries tested in the tank, a full scale hull shape was developed. Similar research effort was devoted to the development of the hybrid, battery and solar drive technology.

Volkswagen Marine joined the project early in 2008 in order to help develop a new hybrid diesel-electric system.

A fully functional prototype was built by Seaway and tested during nine months in a range of displacement, trim, propulsion variants and weather conditions. During the initial months of 2009,

Seaway performed the production engineering for the Greenline 33 and installed the associated tooling. A preliminary run of 6 pre-production yachts was built in August and September of the same year. The Greenline 33 was exhibited at major European autumn boat shows and won both design prizes and Boat of the Year awards.

The craft has been tested in a variety of conditions in several European countries, in the Mediterranean, on the North Sea, on large lakes and on the rivers and canals of Northern and Southern Europe.

This extensive automotive-style development and testing programme, a first in the boating industry, has resulted in a reliable and user-friendly product in spite of the use of new technology. Full volume production started in January 2010.

Says Jakopin: 'The companies involved share a vision and ideas on the future of motor boating. We believe this compact yacht will not only bring boating closer to the public in environmentally and economically challenging times, it will also improve the general public’s perception of boating as a sport and pastime.

'What we have done is not only make motor boating greener, but also much more comfortable. For example, we have a spacious toilet and shower and real beds with standard mattresses and sheets. The same with the kitchen – buy any fridge you like – there is 220V on board. Basically, you can bring anything you want from home – hairdryer, coffee machine, any appliances. Design-wise, you also have the bonus that the Greenline 33 has simple, classic lines that will never date – we think she is pretty timeless.'

With her classic lines and green features, the Greenline 33 was first targeted to the Dutch, Swiss and German markets. As Jakopin explains: 'This is a rational, not emotional purchase. When we present the numbers to the Scandinavians and Germans – the cost savings, the consumption, the impact on the environment and the wonderful design – they are won over. The Latin market, which is traditionally all about styling and detail, will come next.'

Locally, the Greenline 33 starts at around $240,000. She ticks many boxes, including space and fuel efficiency. 'The 33 excels in many fronts,' says Jakopin. ' We like to think we have created the space of a 13m boat in a 10m boat. There is a revolutionary new hull design, which contributes to the fuel economy, it’s easy to maintain, use and manoeuvre, and you can take all your home comforts onboard thanks to 110V circuit power.'

The revolutionary hull design he refers to is J&J’s unique 'superdisplacement', low-drag hull requiring considerably less energy to move through the water. Other green attributes include the drive systems combining diesel and solar-electric propulsion make the Greenline both reliable and cost-effective. It uses up to four times less fossil fuel per nautical mile than a planing power boat and is completely emission free in electric mode.

The 33 boasts a simple, single, flexible cabin, and single-level saloon (convertible), galley and aft deck.

In such a short time, the Greenline has already won many awards including the 2010 European Boat of the Year, several national Boat of the Year awards, Swedish Environmental Boat of the Year and has been nominated for a European Award for the Environment.

Next on the horizon, launching in the European Spring, is the Greenline 40, better suited to families with older kids with its two cabins. 'It will be the same concept, but with more space and more range,' promises Jakopin, adding that while the company is yet to 'do the maths' on the pricing, it will likely hover around 190,000 Euros.
After his first visit to Australia, Talin Jakopin is convinced the Greenline has a great future downunder. 'Australians are enthusiastic to embrace greener boating. They are looking for alternatives.'

His home town of Ljubljana is a city with buildings over 1000 years old, and the coastline of Slovenian, though just 45km long, is graced with an 800 year old lighthouse. The boating heritage is strong and its boat building industry prodigious.

Jakopin’s enjoyment of Sydney and the boat show was evident. 'Sydney is wonderful. I have only seen the hotel and Darling Harbour, but I hope to see more before I go home. There is a great atmosphere here, it’s very international. I like how the indoor halls and on-water part of the show are so close. You don’t have to catch a tram or bus or taxi – it’s a great venue for visitors.'

North South Yachting is the exclusive Australian importers, distributing the Greenline Hybrid across its national dealership network.

More at www.northsouthyachting.com.au and www.greenlinehybrid.com



J&J Designs
Founded in 1983 by brothers Jernej and Japec Jakopin, J&J has designed more than 250 powerboats and sailboats for boat manufacturers worldwide. Based on their designs, nearly 60,000 boats and yachts have been built by 58 boatyards in 28 countries (Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Windy, Askeladden, ETAP, Dufour and others). These designs have won 33 Boat of the Year awards in several countries around the world.

Seaway
Seaway, which is based in Italy and Slovenia (www.seawaygroup.eu), is the world’s leading boat development and building company. The company, which employs a unique 250-strong team of talented engineers and boat builders from many different countries, has combined the power of an extensive range of the most up-to-date 3D design, engineering, CAD/CAM, 5-axis milling and boatbuilding software and hardware available with unmatched craftsmanship and a long tradition of manufacturing boats. Seaway is also the world’s largest builder of carbon sailing yachts and owns the Shipman (www.shipman.dk) and Skagen (www.skagenyachts.com) brands and manufactures the products produced under these brand names.