PY60 touches the water, Pioneer Yachts launches the first solar-electric catamaran
PY60 is the first solar-electric catamaran from the Pioneer Yachts shipyard, launched in recent days, the multihull marks a fundamental milestone for a brand founded just two years agojust two years ago. The Pioneer One, measuring 18 meters, will undergo sea trials to validate the yacht’s performance in real-world usage conditions before heading to the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 (September 8-13), where it will have its world premiere.
The founder of the shipyard, engineer and entrepreneur Mike Frank, will personally sail the yacht, using real navigation data to refine upcoming models and gain further experience to enhance onboard efficiency.
“Seeing Pioneer One in the water is one of those unforgettable moments. This is not just another simple electric catamaran: it is a completely new type of yacht for this segment, designed for real operational use. I am sure that the upcoming sea trials will be the proving ground that demonstrates this,” said the engineer.
PY60, a different approach
PY60 represents a different approach to naval design as the vessel has been conceived from the outset around the generation, storage, and propulsion of solar-electric energy, a truly high-performance solar-electric yacht designed for continuous use at sea, allowing for long periods of independent sailing. The efficiency of the PY60 defines every single aspect of the yacht’s architecture, the hull geometry, weight distribution, and superstructure proportions have been specifically developed to support solar-electric propulsion, reducing energy consumption.
“Integrated Energy Architecture is what makes 100% solar-electric operation possible: independent, silent, and free from land infrastructure. It is around this system that Pioneer One has been built.”
Despite its 60-foot length, the PY60 has been designed to meet the required standards for operation and private ownership. Electric propulsion, simplified onboard systems, and intuitive maneuvering controls allow owners to manage the yacht without the need for a professional crew. Join us at the Cannes Yachting Festival to discover this concentration of technology necessary to reduce our impact on an increasingly fragile environment.
