Greenline 33 Hybrid
An environmental statement you will enjoy making
By Andy Adams
I had been looking forward to a sea trial aboard the Greenline 33 because I was hoping it would live up to my expectations as both an environmental statement and as a practical cruising partner. The Greenline 33 Hybrid yacht is indeed both.
Quite a number of my friends, particularly those on the feminine side, not only care about the environment, but they want to make a statement. They want to live a great life while respecting the world we live in, and I think the Greenline 33 Hybrid is a very appealing way to make that statement.
This is the view of the saloon looking aft showing the versatile dining table, couches on both sides, the galley with large sink, induction cooktop, microwave, plenty of cupboards and the home-size refrigerator on the port side. With the aft bulkhead open to the cockpit, the living space is greatly expanded.
This is a handsome and accommodating trawler that is especially well suited to the Canadian cruising lifestyle on the coasts, or inland through areas like the Trent Severn Waterway, or Georgian Bay.
And so it was that Jill Snider and I met Gerry and Suzanne Zidner and their granddaughter Zoe in Penetanguishene to sea trial the Greenline 33 Hybrid on a glorious summer day on Georgian Bay. After a very brief walk through, we cast off because Gerry was anxious to talk about performance. We felt we should let Gerry explain by way of demonstration.
Performance
We cast off and almost silently, Gerry manoeuvred out of the slip with the thrusters then running on electric power only, we ghosted down the fairway and out into Georgian Bay. If it had been before sunrise, we would not have wakened anyone. Gerry explained that on electric drive only, a 4-knot cruising speed is very efficient, actually using 80 amps at 4.2 knots for a two hour and thirty-five-minute runtime on electric. Full throttle on electric gives one hour and nine minutes of runtime and uses 198 amps traveling at 5.7 knots to 6.0 knots depending on current and how clean the hull is. The hull is a semi-displacement design with a partial keel, a pair of stabilizer fins and a fairly flat bottom that gives impressive stability and comfort along with efficiency.
Shot at dockside, this shows the roof-mounted solar panels that provide abundant energy to charge the batteries and operate the many onboard systems including the air conditioning.
Four knots is delightful, but not always what you want. The test boat had the Hybrid engine package with the optional Volvo D3 diesel making 220 horsepower, plus the electric motor. This changes things a lot. What’s interesting is that under diesel power, at 4.2 knots you’re generating 30 amps of power and at 7.4 knots, you’re generating 100 amps which means that in 20 minutes you can return the batteries to approximately 80% of full charge.
What’s more impressive is that the Greenline 33 is absolutely serene! As Gerry pointed out, the boat is so quiet that the high-end Fusion stereo system is a critical part of the package! You will enjoy your favourite tunes without interruption aboard the Greenline 33 Hybrid.
Jill Snider is very comfortable at the helm with clear sightlines over the attractive dashboard that includes the Raymarine MFD, autopilot, instruments for the hybrid propulsion systems, opening side glass and windshield section.
So, with the Volvo Penta D3 running you can make good time to beat a storm in or reach a destination traveling at up to 18 knots (20.7 mph) at full speed. But electric power only is wonderful; it forces you to slow down and it’s so quiet and comfortable that it’s like sailing only easier and you’re basically traveling for free!
The test boat was equipped with a Raymarine system and the autopilot is very easy to use. You set your course, push “auto” and then just relax, or you can program in a series of waypoints and let the boat take you to wherever you want to go. At four to six knots the Greenline 33 stays very flat and stable and everything goes at a relaxed pace. Time aboard the Greenline 33 is really a vacation.
Hybrid power
Getting a bit technical, the Greenline 33 has a lithium polymer 48-volt main power supply plus an inverter to step up to 110 volts for the household size refrigerator, air conditioning system, microwave and any other household appliances. Then, the bow and stern thrusters are 12 volt and each has its own battery. There is a fourth battery for engine starting as well.
This is a home-size refrigerator and the separate freezer above will be much appreciated!
Covering most of the sleek coach roof, solar panels charge the main batteries during daylight and without effort. The lithium polymer batteries stored on the port side under the saloon seating, can go through as many as 2,000 cycles. Gerry explained that they are very reliable batteries that you can discharge to almost zero and then bring right back to 100% so, you’ll get many years of use out of the battery system. Individual cells can be replaced if need be so you might not face a battery replacement for years. In the future, it is expected that battery prices will drop significantly because new technologies are being developed all the time to improve the performance.
CABIN
While the Greenline 33 is a fully enclosed trawler with covered side decks and a cabin roof that overhangs the entire cockpit, there is a great feeling of openness in the interior. The windshield centre section swings open, the side glass slides open and the aft bulkhead can also be opened up to make the boat feel almost like you’re outside. The aft bulkhead is all done in mirrored glass. The port side slides open while the starboard side lifts up on gas struts and it’s “one finger” easy.
The galley is at the aft end of the saloon and has a fold out section for increased counter space and an exterior serving area. Instead of an available propane stove, the test boat had an electric induction “Summit” two burner cooktop. The galley is nicely fitted out with three overhead cupboards, two drawers on the starboard side and two more forward facing with a built-in Samsung microwave. Add your own cockpit BBQ and you can really make some wonderful meals as you glide along. Another great feature is the regular home-size refrigerator with a freezer section on top.
Throughout the main cabin there’s 6’4” of headroom and elegant features like LED under floor lighting and overhead LED lighting in both the saloon and cockpit. Other things we appreciated are the city water hook ups, the manual bilge pump that European yachts are required to have, the huge storage areas under the saloon seats and a starboard side exterior locker for propane (if you have that) and trash disposal.
The helm is to starboard and the double-wide helm seat back flips to be a saloon seat back. The convertible dining table can make the entire saloon into a full-beam dining area or it can convert into a double berth. It can also go into the cockpit.
The owner’s cabin is forward and particularly bright with so much window area, an overhead hatch and features like plenty of side cabinet storage.
Owner’s cabin
The bow area is the owner’s cabin and Greenline includes a scissor berth so you can have a double or two singles quite easily and there are storage lockers all around the perimeter as well as generous hanging locker space.
The head is nicely appointed and is a wet shower set up with a curtain. There is storage under the vanity and several mirrors.
Cockpit
The cockpit is spacious and the roof overhang provides shade as well as more space for the solar panels. Our test boat featured lovely teak decking and a teak cap rail right from the cockpit to the bow. Recessed side decks provide comfort and security for moving around the boat while underway. We found the large diameter stainless steel rails and hand holds all seemed very conveniently placed. Another great feature is the convenient boarding door that is provided on the starboard side for easy access.
Remember, under electric power there is no exhaust. In fact, there is no noise other than the sound of the water moving so the corner seats by the transom are a delightful place to sit. Each has storage underneath plus there is an underfloor locker. Another great feature is the transom shower with hot and cold water. That would be a lovely way to start your day and the Greenline 33 has an electrically operated transom that becomes a teak swim platform. There is a fold-down boarding ladder with hand holds on the starboard side.
Because the Greenline 33 Hybrid travels at such a serene pace, it’s quite reasonable to use the bow area as a living space even underway. There is a large sun pad on the cabin trunk. For convenient mooring out, there is an electric windlass and ground tackle system.
To be able to cruise in near-silence, with no exhaust, no pollution and (almost) no fuel expense is pretty impressive. The Greenline 33 Hybrid might just be the statement you want to make and it’s sure to start lots of conversations as you pull into the marina!
SPECIFICTIONS
DIESEL ENGINE: Single Volvo-Penta D3 diesel inboard, 220 hp
ELECTRIC MOTOR: 10 kW, 48 Volt
SOLAR PANELS (48Volt): 1,800 W – converts to a 7 kW generator when running under diesel power
RPM SPEED KNOTS / MPH
700 2.4 / 2.7
1200 4.2 / 4.8
2000 7.4 / 8.2
2500 8.6 / 9.9
3000 10.0 / 11.5
3500 12.2 / 14.0
4000 14.8 / 17.0
MAX 18.0 / 20.7
SPECIFICATIONS
Length OA: 32’9” / 9.99 m
Beam: 11’6” / 3.49 m
Displacement (empty): 10.580 lbs / 4,800 kg
Battery capacity (Li-Po) 48V: 11,5 kWh
Fuel capacity: 132 gal / 500 L
Water capacity: 80 gal / 300 L
Waste capacity: 17 gal / 63 L
Price: CAD $495,000
Boat and price provided by: Georgian Harbour Yacht Sales, www.georgianharbouryachtsales.com
