Which propulsion systems do superyachts use?

Superyacht propellers and propulsion systems are essential to the powering of a motor yacht, but often out of sight, quietly keeping vessels running smoothly through the sea.

As with the changing nature of superyacht designs and engineering, new propeller and propulsion systems have been developed to not only increase efficiency and performance but in an effort to reduce emissions.

Yachting Pages explores some of the various propulsion and propeller systems for superyachts.

Retractable Propulsion System

Retractable Propulsion is a popular system for fast sailing yachts, as it offers substantially lower drag from the propulsion line whilst on the water, whatever the conditions. This system would be popular for yachts entering into the world famous ocean races, such as the America’s Cup or Volvo Ocean Race.

Baltic Yachts unveiled a retractable propulsion system for its Baltic 130 Custom sailing yacht back in 2015. The RPS enables the propeller to rotate through 90 degrees to double up as a stern thruster. The system offers reduced vibration and lower noise levels, and consists of a leg fitted with forward facing puller propeller, which then retracts into the hull. 

Pod propulsion

Having originally only been used on board commercial vessels, pod propulsion has been employed on smaller vessels over the last few years.

The pods themselves, are underwater drives situated on the bottom of a hull, linked to the engines through either a direct mechanical link or diesel-electric link.

Pod propulsion is said to offer higher efficiency, but this is usually seen when the yacht is in either a planing or semi-planing operational mode.

Waterjet propulsion

Developments in recent years have made waterjet propulsion technology more sophisticated; typically waterjet systems offer a number of advantages including good manoeuvrability, and low noise and vibration.

Waterjet propulsion involves an impeller, inlet duct and nozzle; water passes through the inlet as the impeller spins, and water is pulled through from beneath the hull to provide thrust for the vessel. Waterjet propulsion is also powered as a hybrid system, such as on M/Y Silver Wind, which was the world’s first hybrid waterjet powered yacht.

Hybrid propulsion - the future for superyachts?

As hybrid technology develops, increasing numbers of superyachts are adopting this technology in a bid to improve efficiency even further, and reduce their carbon footprint. Heesen’s first hybrid superyacht launched in April 2017, and features both diesel mechanical and diesel electrical propulsion. Either of these can be used independently or simultaneously to offer more flexible power management and greater efficiency when cruising the seas.

Read more about hybrid technology with our guide to hybrid superyacht propulsion.

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