catamaran silent 60

The award-winning entry to solar-electric yachts

As the successor to the Silent 64 (the first ever solar powered production yacht to cross the Atlantic Ocean during January of 2018), the 60 Series is equipped with the most refined, efficient and clever technology available today. Being a multi-award winner, including the prestigious “Best of Boats Award” in the category of ‘Best for Travel’, she embodies solar electric yachting in its purest form. Available in a variety of deck and cabin options, the Silent 60 is ideally suited for families cruising with or without additional crew.

Specifications

Deck options, silent 62 flybridge.

The flybridge version with a retractable roof offers enough space for a dining area with a small lounge and a dedicated helm station. For owners who do not need the additional space of the 62 3-deck configurations, the flybridge version offers enough space and outstanding 360° visibility.

Silent 62 3-Deck Open

An additional open deck instead of the flybridge combines the benefits of larger catamarans with the compact dimensions of the 60 Series. The open sky lounge is a fantastic outdoor community space, equipped with a full dining area including a panoramic view and a superyacht atmosphere.

Silent 62 3-Deck Closed

The closed version of the 62 3-Deck further develops her character as a compact superyacht. Providing additional indoor space, the closed third deck is available in two options: a choice between a sky lounge or an exclusive owner’s deck makes sure it can be tailored towards individual needs.

Model variations

Front Master Version

• Available for every deck option (flybridge, 3-deck open & 3-deck closed versions)

The Master cabin is located below the bow in the front of the main deck. This replaces the additional exit in the front of the salon.

Front Exit Version

Hereby the salon on the main deck is equipped with an additional exit in the front. The Master cabin moves to the side of the hull in the lower deck.

3-Deck Open

3-Deck Closed

Front Master

Solar-electric yachting advantages

Unlimited range, noiseless cruising, zero emission, minimal maintenance, powertrains, 6o series highlights.

Kite sail system

Adding the option of a fully automatic towing kite gives the 60 Series the opportunity to make use of the wind without shading the panels. The either 9m² or 12 m² sized kite flies at heights where winds are much stronger, thus being able to create up to 10x more pulling power compared to a conventional sail.

Self-sufficient lifestyle

Designed from the ground up to be fully autonomous. By being able to produce your own energy and water while making use of coolable food supplies for storage as well as a worldwide internet connection, you have the possibility of creating a fully self-sufficient lifestyle on board.

Bridgedeck storage

Under the bridge deck, there are two spacious storage boxes for SUPs, surfboards, small RIBs or compact sailboats. Both of them can be accessed either from the aft cockpit deck or directly from the hydraulic tender lift.

Owner's suite

Being able to design the 60 Series with an exclusive owner’s suite on the 3rd deck us unique amongst 60-foot catamarans. The suite itself is fully equipped with an en-suite bathroom and measures 23 m² in size. It also gives direct access to the 36 m² lounge area in the aft.

If you would like to enquire about this electric yacht and get in touch with a member of our team, please click on the button below.

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Greener and Better: the Silent 60

• By Chris Caswell
• December 16, 2022

If there was any question that the “Tesla moment” has arrived in yachting, the Silent 60 clearly provides a positive response.

Consider, for a moment, crossing oceans in silence at 5 to 6 knots without consuming a drop of fuel and never needing to plan your course between fuel stops. Imagine sitting at anchor and running the air conditioning all night, not to mention all the galley appliances plus the washer-dryer, without the hum or fumes from a genset.

During my time aboard the Silent-Yachts 60, the electric yacht cruised easily at 8 knots. When I whipped out my sound meter, it barely registered 52 decibels, which is about the sound of a dishwasher. The Silent monitors at the helm showed we were charging our 286 kWh lithium batteries at more wattage than we were using to spin the 340 kW motors, so we were ahead of the power-usage game—and this was in South Florida rain under a solid cloud layer. Had we upped the ante to the yacht’s top speed of 20 knots, it would have been drawing from rather than adding to the batteries, but the speed capability gives skippers the option to outrun weather (or just get to the best moorings first).

The Silent 60 is a catamaran design for several reasons. First, the twin hulls are easily driven to minimize the power needed. Second, with nearly 30 feet of beam, there is enough deck area for the solar panels needed to create power.

Buyers can choose as many as six staterooms, each en suite with stall showers and nearly king-size berths. The salon also uses that beam well, providing bowling-alley space under 7-foot-6-inch headroom. With the Silent 60, the interior is basically a blank sheet, allowing buyers to tailor the layout to their cruising needs.

As for the engine rooms, NASA could take a page from Silent-Yachts: Everything is precisely labeled, placed for easy access and surgery-suite spotless. Externally, the Silent 60 is striking, with reversed bows and black graphic slashes on the topside that conceal dark-tinted windows (which provide bright, airy interiors to the staterooms). What catches the eye most, however, are the 42 solar panels that cover every inch of the cabin top as well as the hardtop over the flybridge. Produced by SunPower in California, these panels feed power to a lithium battery pack reportedly good for 3,000 charge cycles—or an estimated 35 years of normal boating use.

The Silent 60 I got aboard, which was Hull No. 3, had a four-stateroom layout. A larger stateroom forward in the starboard hull served as the master, with an athwartships berth, settee and built-in vanity. This yacht also had a walk-through Dutch door forward in the salon next to the helm, leading to settees on the foredeck as well as providing salon ventilation. Another benefit of the door for short-handed cruisers is quick access to the anchor gear under the foredeck.

Owners can sacrifice the forward door in favor of a forward master stateroom with a king berth just a couple of steps below the salon and an en suite head in the starboard hull. An intriguing design feature is the two outward-facing “window seats” indented into the stateroom on each side deck, which would make a wonderful spot at anchor with a good book.

The salon has a fixed dining table that easily seats eight people on the wraparound settee. There also are loose chairs and a pad just forward for lounging. The helm is raised one step and has twin Simrad multifunction displays plus the Silent systems monitor, all easily understood.

Aft and to port, the U-shaped galley has a dishwasher as well as a full-height fridge to starboard. The fridge setup may change to a pair of undercounter drawer fridges on future boats for easier access and to eliminate a blind spot for the skipper.

Abaft the galley, a window slides open for easy pass-through to the cockpit to serve whatever the cooks have prepared using the Hafele four-burner, two-zone cooktop.

The Silent 60 is a work in progress, and additional changes might be on the way, such as the addition of twin berths that slide together, and a different location for what is now the midsalon washer-dryer (in a console abaft the helm). This hull was built in Thailand, but production is moving to Italy.

Still, the yacht has exceedingly clever design ideas, such as the hinged hardtop on the bridge. The top lowers electrically to seal off the bridge from the weather as well as keep the solar cells from being shadowed. The bridge itself is conventional, with a double-wide helm seat to port that reverses to create wraparound seating for the dining table, and double lounge pads for relaxing, not sunning, since the solar panels take up every bit of sun space.

The cockpit has a settee and an L-shaped table. A hydraulic swim platform is available in varying widths to handle up to a 13-foot tender without impinging on the platforms on either hull. Silent-Yachts also gets points for good walk-around decks protected by toe kicks as well as welded stainless-steel rails.

The Silent 60 is on the leading edge of a greener yachting experience. For cruisers who are looking to lessen their carbon footprint while enjoying some quietude at sea, this yacht is worth serious consideration. 

Built for Safety

Future Silent 60s from Italy will have fully resin-infused fiberglass sandwich construction with carbon reinforcements in high-stress areas. Each of the hulls has watertight bulkheads, sealed floors and three collision compartments for enhanced safety. The foam sandwich core provides thermal and sound insulation.

Kite Sailing

One option available on the Silent 60 is a kite-wing propulsion system using a collapsing mast and hidden winch to fly a 140-square-foot sail. (By comparison, a Laser sail is 76 square feet.) With open ocean breezes of 17 to 21 knots, the builder says the kite can power the Silent 60 at 6 to 7 knots alone, or it can bump the speed with motors to go faster than the usual 8-knot cruise speed. 

Big Sisters

In addition to the Silent-Yachts 60, the boatbuilder has 62-, 80- and 120-foot electric power cats available for owners looking for something bigger. Additionally, it recently started work on the hybrid-powered Silent VisionF 82. 

Take the next step: silent-yachts.com

• More: Catamarans , Electric , Electric Boats , October 2022 , Power Catamarans , Reviewed , Silent-Yachts , Solar Powered Yachts , Yachts
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Boat of the Week: This Solar-Powered Electric Catamaran Can Cruise Silently and Emissions Free

Minimal emissions from a solar-powered, 60-foot motoryacht is a very big deal. but we found other big features that could be improved., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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John, Paul, George and Ringo singing “Here Comes the Sun” would make the perfect anthem for Austrian-owned Silent Group’s newest 60-foot power catamaran, the $3 million Silent 60.

Why? Without sunshine, you won’t get very far.

Thankfully, the searing Florida sun is beating down as we take to Fort Lauderdale’s bustling Intracoastal Waterway to try-out this eco-friendly Silent 60. With its roof and foredeck crammed full of solar panels, the sixty-footer is humming along at a leisurely six mph on just zero-emissions battery power.

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The batteries are recharged by solar panels that occupy nearly every available square foot of exterior space.  Courtesy Silent Yachts

Just as its name suggests, the ride is hushed, with just the gentle, soothing sound of water bubbling-up in the wake to interrupt the peace and quiet.

“Silent running is top of the list when it comes to what appeals to our customers. They don’t want to hear engines or feel vibration,” Silent Yachts ‘ in-house designer Juliana Miguel told Robb Report , during the run.

“These days it’s also about fuel costs,” adds US sales director, Philip Bell. “One customer ordered a new 60 after getting tired of using his 80-foot Italian motoryacht for weekend trips to the Bahamas and spending $12,000 on fuel each time.”

The 30-foot beam delivers strong interior space and wide social areas on the outside.  Courtesy Silent Yachts

The Silent 60’s claim to fame? Quiet, zero-emission, electric-only cruising at 7 to 8 mph for up to nine hours, or roughly 100 nautical miles a day. Throttle back to 4 mph, and the company says you have the possibility of near perpetual motion.

We’re sampling the third hull of the constantly evolving Silent 60 series that launched last summer. Silent has been the leader in inventing the solar-powered electric-cruiser niche. Replacing the original Silent 55, the 60 has been such a boat-show hit that more than 30 are currently awaiting construction at Silent’s yards in Fano, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey.

The yacht we’re on is an original folding-hardtop version, with its cantilevered roof panel that, at the push of a button, lowers to cover the small, open flybridge area. Tastes, however, are evolving.

The boat’s 30-foot beam allows for an apartment-sized, open salon.  Courtesy Quin Bassett

According to Bell, most of the new 60s currently in build are “tri-deck” models, featuring a significantly larger flybridge area, a fixed rather than folding roof (also covered with solar panels), and the option of a fully open flybridge, or glass-enclosed “sky lounge,” designed for additional entertaining space or even a master suite.

At the dock, given its 30-foot beam, the 60 looks humongous. To our eyes, it’s not going to win any beauty contests. Towering, vertical hull-sides, a fairly-shapeless upright bow design, and straight up-and-down cabin sides give the catamaran a square-edged, boxy look. All function with little form.

But what the owner gets are huge interior spaces. Inside, it feels like a floating apartment, with a cavernous salon, spacious galley, large dining area, and huge aft deck. Down below are choices of three or four spacious en-suite cabins in the hulls.

A good boat for the sunny canals of Fort Lauderdale.  Courtesy Quin Bissett/Silent Yachts

But the quality of the interior doesn’t track with the boat’s $3 million-plus price tag. Thin cabinet doors, dull-looking fabrics, gelcoat fiberglass on the salon ceilings, faux-wood vinyl flooring, and an inside helm station that was little more than an upholstered board with instruments that looked haphazardly arranged, were all below par, considering the upscale market Silent is targeting.

Miguel says the interior will change with the next generation of 60s arriving towards the end of the year, with a big step-up in terms of quality of materials, attention to detail, style, and fit and finish. So, why didn’t they wait to unveil the boat to the media before they got to that point?

The man at the helm is Silent Yachts’ delivery captain and chief tester Kyle Miller. With a jiggle of a joystick control and a touch of bow-thruster, he maneuvers the 60 out of its tight, side-on slip and eases into the busy Intracoastal Waterway.

All function, no form? The 60-footer’s boxy shape is out of synch with other cat manufacturers that use more curves in their superstructures.  Courtesy Silent Yachts

The yacht features Silent’s E-Power propulsion package, with twin Dana TM4 200kW or 268 hp electric motors and 207kWh lithium-ion batteries. They’re good for an 8 mph cruise speed and claimed 16 mph top speed. There’s also a base version with twin 50kW or 67 hp motors juiced by a 143kWh lithium-ion battery bank. Even Miller admits this is short on power.

The best, and of course the priciest, option is the E-Power+ package, featuring twin 340kW 455 hp motors and 286kWh batteries. It’s said to be good for tide-punching bursts of up to 20 mph.

“For anyone who wants to dash around at 17 knots all day long, our recommendation is to buy a different boat,” says Miller. “The Silent 60 is designed for relaxing on the move, gliding from one anchorage to the next, and being self-sufficient on the hook.”

Open space on the flybridge.  Courtesy Silent Yachts

As we discovered, the 60 isn’t always a Tesla of the seas. Running over 6 mph will necessitate firing up the Hyundai diesel generator for one of every three hours of running time to keep the batteries charged. And that’s not silent.

While ambling along at 6 mph is fine for laid-back cruising, we also had concerns about a lack of reserve power for tackling strong currents and adverse tides.

Even our test boat’s twin 200kW motors struggled to keep the 60 under control when maneuvering against a fast, incoming tide under Lauderdale’s narrow 17th Street Bridge. The bigger 340kW motors are definitely the way to go for running in fast currents or tidal waters.

Galley and dining area  Courtesy Silent Yachts

Without doubt, this new Silent 60 showcases the appeal of electric power on the water. The way it efficiently and effectively harnesses the sun’s rays, its largely zero-emissions running, coupled with its huge and versatile interior space, is impressive for a family cruiser.

Just don’t plan on getting anywhere in a hurry—and beware of fast-running tides.

Read More On:

• Electric Yacht
• Silent Yachts

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Electric Yachts

Silent yachts.

• Silent-60 Yacht

First voyage on the solar electric SILENT 60 yacht

After previously following and reporting on Silent Yachts , the solar-electric boat maker invited me down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to experience a cruise on the vessel for myself. The SILENT 60 yacht is a solar electric catamaran that represents the future of zero-emissions maritime travel and a mere stepping stone to the more advanced vessels Silent Yachts is already developing next.

For those of you unfamiliar, Silent Yachts was founded by Heike and Michael Köhle, who together have sailed over 75,000 nautical miles around the world. Following their extensive travels at sea, the founders decided there had to be a better way to propel yachts with clean energy.

Their research into solar yacht technologies began in 2004, kicking off five years of gathering sailing data  before constructing the company’s first fully self-sufficient  solar-powered catamaran , the Solarwave 46.

After a five-year trial at sea that began in 2010, Silent Yachts had a proven solar yacht concept, and began serial production of luxury sustainable vessels in 2016 with the SILENT 64. By 2018, The SILENT 64 had become the first serial-production  solar-powered bluewater catamaran  to cross the Atlantic, from Cartagena, Spain, to Barbados in 16 days.

In 2021, Silent Yachts launched the SILENT 60 yacht as a more powerful, revamped generation of its 64-foot predecessor. After accepting and invite from Silent Yachts to climb aboard the SILENT 60, I learned much more about the solar electric catamaran firsthand, in addition to what the company has in store next.

A (quick) trip aboard the SILENT 60 yacht

Following a quick visit to Silent Yacht’s North American office in south Florida, a couple of other writers and I were invited aboard the SILENT 60 – Silent Yachts 60-foot yacht mentioned above. Two things were particularly interesting about this voyage.

First, I was planning to be at sea all day, but that unfortunately was not the case. It was a trip just over an hour, but certainly enough time to explore the solar electric yacht and enjoy some time in the Florida sun cruising without any emissions.

Another interesting facet to this trip was that we were onboard with several potential customers as well. At a starting price of just over $2.75 million, it’s easy to imagine the level of affluence onboard, and since there were no real introductions, I used it as an opportunity to rub elbows with my ultra-wealthy deck mates.

At one point, one of the potential customers came up to me and asked if I was going to buy one. As a lowly writer no stranger to economy class flights, I naturally said “I’m seriously considering it, but I think I may go bigger.” That customer told me he was going to pull the trigger that day, and two other clients onboard also verbally committed to purchases and did in fact plan to go bigger.

This offers a testament to the quality and luxury of the SILENT 60 electric yacht – just 30 minutes aboard is all it takes to sell itself… as long as you have millions upon millions of dollars. I mean, the tax alone! The vessel we rode aboard had five bed across four separate cabins. Have a look at some of the interior images below.

Can this solar electric yacht perform? A look ahead

When we first untied and shoved off, it was amazing to experience how quiet the electric yacht was. I personally think this is a huge selling point for potential customers if you can get them on the water.

We were aboard the original two-deck version of the SILENT 60 yacht, which has since been replaced by the SILENT 62 three-deck option , based on the fact that a majority of customers favored the third deck. While our solar electric catamaran didn’t have the wing sail we covered when it debuted, it still had plenty of cool electrified specs to offer.

• Note this propulsion option is no longer offered, you can go bigger or smaller
• 225 kWh battery bank equipped with lithium-ion NMC cells
• According to Silent Yachts brand ambassador Kyle Miller, the combustion generator had not been turned on once since the vessel arrived in the US
• The upcoming SILENT 80 will have a 26 kWp array
• The rear deck can be raised and lowered to hold a dingy or become a swim platform

Truthfully, the SILENT 60 I got to ride upon offers clean quiet energy in the utmost form of luxury, but Silent Yachts isn’t the only one doing it. That being said, the electric yacht builder appears to be growing at a quick rate, especially in terms of innovation. Selling your products for multimillions probably helps with the R&D budget too.

Many of the features and customizations I was able to see up close on the SILENT 60 have already been improved and implemented on newer, upcoming electric yacht models. I already mentioned the three-deck layout, which can be assembled to multiple forms of open or closed walls depending on customer preference.

Silent Yachts is also going longer in its maritime range of available options. However, some of those larger vessels will be hybrid models to haul the larger ships, so that’s not much interest to me. What is of interest however are some of the new technologies Kyle Miller teased me with.

Silent Yachts is working on developing its own electric dingy which will sit on the rear deck of the SILENT 62 and in the hull of the SILENT 80. Other technologies mentioned were the possibility of liquid cooled batteries, and bi-directional charging.

The boat maker announced Silent Resorts earlier this year, focused on zero-carbon fully sustainable destinations for the electric yachts to venture to. Silent Yachts plans to use its all electric catamarans like the SILENT 60 yacht to help power the buildings, beginning in the Bahamas. Sign me up for that visit.

All in all, it was an interesting trip and I would love another chance to climb aboard one of Silent Yacht’s newer vessels – they clearly have plenty in their pipeline. Until then.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports. Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at [email protected]

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SILENT 60 Yacht for Sale

60' silent | 2024.

• Yachts for sale
• motoryachts

Last updated Sep 1, 2023

Silent 60 Yacht | 60' Silent 2024

Silent Yachts presents the first and only ocean going production yachts in the world that are fully sustainable and powered by solar energy.

• Unlimited range
• Solar panels - zero maintenance and 25 year warranty
• Lithium Ion batteries - zero maintenance and 8 year warranty
• Electric motors - zero maintenance and lifetime warranty
• No more noise and fumes
• No more fuel bills
• No more marina electric bills
• Considerable reduction in maintenance
• Industry leading components
• Bespoke interiors

Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Silent Yachts North America.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

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Read our guide to learn the process for buying SILENT 60

Silent 60 HIGHLIGHTS

• Yacht Details: 60' Silent 2024
• Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Engines: Kräutler
• Last Updated: Sep 1, 2023
• Maximum Speed: 16 kn
• Max Draft: 3' 0''

Silent 60 additional information

• Beam: 29' 5''
• Hull Material: Fiberglass
• Solar panels – zero maintenance & 25yr warranty
• Lithium Ion batteries - zero maintenance & 8yr warranty
• Electric motors - zero maintenance & lifetime warranty
• No more noise & fumes

Silent Yachts presents the first and only ocean going production yachts in the world that are fully sustainable and powered by solar energy. Pure solar-powered luxury.

Silent Yachts was founded on the dream of eliminating the industries effects on the environment without sacrificing the slightest bit of luxury. The future of luxury yachting is individualistic, noiseless, self-sufficient and honoring nature and the environment.

Imagine starting every morning with an awe inspiring sunrise and ending the day with a breathtaking sunset! Watch, smell, feel nature and be aware that you take responsibility for the environment.

It is both our philosophy and our commitment to offer the best available solar-powered yachts, uniquely designed and constructed, offering unlimited worldwide range and electric motors capable of achieving speeds of up to 20 knots

Many years of research and proven use have demonstrated that a Silent yacht can cruise exclusively on solar power for up to 100 miles per day, run all household appliances including air conditioning, permanently.

Range is unlimited with solar powered electric propulsion, therefore more than Transocean-range.

While combustion engines have an energy efficiency of around 30%, electric motors feature an energy efficiency rate of more than 98%. This saves a lot of power and emits significantly less heat.

High levels of luxury require permanently available energy. On a Silent yacht, you can watch TV, enjoy a cold beer, have the air conditioning running and produce up to 2000 liters of drinking water per day without starting the generator.

High-efficiency solar cells and light-weight Lithium-Batteries provide ample energy and charging for the propulsion as well as for all household appliances, e.g. for television, air-conditioning, ice-machine, water-maker, laptop etc.

Silent Yachts has established a partnership with MG Energy Systems to provide energy systems for all models. There are numerous types of lithium batteries on the market. The brand we are using is universally regarded as industry leader with regards safety, performance, weight and life-span.

A diesel generator (range extender) is fitted as a safety back up. If necessary, due to longer periods of bad weather or where extended durations of higher speed is required, will automatically start when the batteries register below 30%, and seamlessly integrates into the charging system.

Due to the lack of “moving Parts” associated with this technology, our yachts are considerably more reliable, and much less expensive to operate and maintain.

• Solar panels fitted to Silent Yachts are zero maintenance and guaranteed for 25 years.
• Lithium batteries are zero maintenance and guaranteed for 8 years.
• The electric motors have a lifetime warranty, and are virtually zero maintenance, with only a set of inexpensive bearings needing to be changed every 50,000 hours of use. When you consider the average yearly usage is 400 – 600 hours, don’t forget to schedule that service call every 80 years.
• Depending on the optional usage of the range extender generator, standard maintenance is required, often on a 100hr basis. One owner recently reported only running their generator for 6 hours, during their transatlantic crossing.
• Electric Motor……...Lifetime
• Solar Panels……….25 years
• Batteries……………8 years
• Hull/GRP parts….…5 years
• General Fit/Finish…2 years

All the electrical components are of high industrial quality and are being engineered / built in Europe and the USA.

Motors, inverters and their cables are IP69 certified. This means that they’re rated to work when permanently submerged in highly pressurized water. In comparison to a conventional diesel powered propulsion system an electric motor is far more reliable as the only moving parts are the rotor and its two bearings.

All wiring is tin-coated and all plugs feature a custom design which prevents humidity and water from entering. Additionally, all parts exposed to the marine environment are made of corrosion resistant materials.

All vital components are redundant to ensure double safety. The configuration of all components makes sure an overload is impossible, deeming the solar-electric drivetrain far safer than conventional propulsion systems. We are also proud to say that our catamarans were the first to be certified according to DIN EN ISO 16315 for the marine operations of electrically powered yachts.

Underwater lines are optimized by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and towing-tank tests. The lightweight construction is a result of bionic design, the use of carbon fibers and high-quality resins.

Interior furniture is made of stiff and lightweight composite plates with real wood-veneer. This reduces the weight significantly to about half the weight of a conventionally constructed and powered yacht.

Each kg/Lb saved is equivalent to less wave drag and friction and therefore less energy required to move the vessel through the water. Overall, this leads to high levels of efficiency enabling fast and self-sustaining propulsion.

Salon and cabins are wrapped in thermal insulation. Furthermore, all windows are shaded by either the roof and/or the hull, thus lowering the energy consumption needed to keep the interior at comfortable temperature levels.

The photovoltaic modules recharge the batteries with a maximum output of 17 kWp and are the main power source of our yachts. We use the most efficient, most advanced and highest quality modules currently available. Their arrangement, the positioning and the regulation of charge are some of the main secrets and reasons why our yachts are able to harvest that much energy from the sun - sufficient to power all household appliances, all devices that you need for your comfort and even the propulsion system.

A new class of yachting is on the rise. Freedom from the need to return to the shore ensures a refreshingly autonomous experience onboard the Silent 60. With solar power and a wide range of options to make untethered cruising a joy, the only reason to enter a marina is to explore exciting new places or pick up local delicacies.

Under way all that can be heard is the gentle swish of water around the hull and the soothing sounds of the natural environment.

Number of cabins: 3 - 5

Number of bathrooms: 3 - 5

Cruising Speed: 6-8 knots

Max Speed: 20 knots

Beam: 29’ 5”

Displacement: 29 tons

Fuel Tanks #: 2

Fuel Tanks Capacity: 1000 - 1600 L

Fresh Water Tanks #: 2

Fresh Water Tanks Capacity: 1000 – 1600 L

Waste Water - 2 x 132 gal

Certification - A: 12 B: 12 C: 16 D: 20

Depth sounder

Log-Speedometer

Navigation Center – Simrad EVO3

• White gel-coat on hull, additional colors available
• Real wood veneer finishes on all interior furniture in a range of woods including walnut, teak, maple and oak
• Range of colours, fabrics and finishes on floors and surfaces
• Cockpit sofa and white tables
• Transom shower with hot and cold water
• Flybridge furniture and table
• Rigid sunroof over flybridge
• Shore power connection with fuse
• Navigation lights
• Anchor and chain
• Fenders and ropes
• Full documentation, handover and commissioning package including CE certificate, launching, antifouling and sailing/technical introduction
• Spectra Farallon 2800 low energy watermaker system
• Additional battery packs, chargers and inverters are available
• Additional fuel tanks for long-range or worldwide cruising
• Coloured or foiled hull
• Wide range of interior and exterior fabrics and finishes
• Household appliances including Corian or stone sink, fridge/freezer and dishwasher
• • Real teak bow seats
• Additional sun loungers and cushions
• Artificial teak floor surfaces
• Bose entertainment system
• Additional LED lighting, downlights and underwater lighting
• Boat name in inox letters with LED lighting
• Electric carbon passarelle with remote control
• Additional transom shower
• Hydraulic stern platform as tender lift and bathing platform
• Flybridge furniture and wide choice of finishes
• Retractable sunroof on flybridge
• Higher capacity heating and air-conditioning systems
• Washing machine and dryer
• Additional fresh and waste water storage
• Additional electric outlets
• Shore power cable
• Raymarine navigational packages
• VHF/AIS and radar packages
• Side thrusters and docking systems
• CCTV Raymarine system
• Additional noise insulation for generator
• Anchor and chain upgrades
• Offshore life raft with dedicated storage space
• Additional fenders and ropes
• Air conditioning 64,000 BTU to 100,000 BTU, with reverse cycle heating

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Silent 60, The Solar Electric Catamaran With a Kite Sail System

The new SILENT 60 solar powered catamaran carries 42 solar panels for 17 kWp of solar energy to power two electric motors of up to 2x340kw. Backed up by a battery capacity of up to 286 kWh, the yacht can cruise efficiently with zero emissions solely on solar power for up to 100 nautical miles a day for weeks. 

To further improve its green credentials and range, for longer crossings the first SILENT 60 is also fitted with a compact 9 or 13-sqm kite wing. The kite wing is optionally available on all SILENT models. 

How the kite wing works

A dedicated storage locker under the foredeck houses the kite wing and all its components, including an electric winch and a short, collapsible mast. On the first unit the mast is connected by four shrouds to pad eyes on deck that distribute the forces through the hull structure, but on subsequent deliveries (8 units with the kite wing option have been ordered to date) the mast will be mounted on a baseplate inside the locker to leave the foredeck clutter-free. 

After inflating the kite, it is released overboard to drift away on the surface of the water. Pulling on the lines launches it into the air and once it reaches the optimal flight height, it begins to trace a figure “8” in the sky and generates power to pull the yacht.

If you want to stop kiting, the automated app controls move the kite to a position right above the boat where it has the least pull on the line. From here it can be winched down electrically and collapsed over the foredeck ready for stowage.

“The main advantages of a kite over a conventional sail system are that it does not throw shade on the solar panels, does not need a tall mast, and generates up to 10 times more power per square metre than a traditional sail. In addition to that it saves about 1,5 tons of weight compared to conventional rigg and costs much less,”  says  Michael Köhler .  “It makes even more sense for the SILENT boats that run on renewable solar energy because the power generated by a kite easily exceeds the energy consumption of the system, so you can charge the batteries while cruising under kite power. And besides that, it’s great fun!”

“We tested the performance on different headings and at wind angles of up to 40 degrees with the 9-sqm kite,”  says SILENT-YACHTS’ Captain  Mike Wandler .  “Unlike a conventional sailing boat, the best results were directly downwind. Under kite power with no engines on or propellers turning, the boat speed was between 4 and 5 knots. We then switched on the electric motors drawing just 1kW each to reduce drag from the propellers and improve the flow of water over the rudders for better steering, this led to boat speeds from 6 to 7 knots over the same headings – a significant improvement on our original predictions.”

A big advantage of a kite compared to a conventional sail is, that the kite flies in much higher altitudes and therefore gets more steady and stronger winds up there. Therefore, it can already be used at low wind speeds of less than 10 knots, when it would not make any sense to hoist a sail on a sailing boat of comparable size. 

As the kite rather pulls the boat than pushes it like a conventional sail, it requires good steering capabilities, which are compromised by the fact, that on a motorboat the rudder is typically pretty small and the propeller big. On a sailing boat it is the opposite. For this reason, it is difficult to steer a motorboat that is being pulled by a kite, but by turning on the motors, and by letting them run at a low speeds of 100 rpm this problem can be solved.

But only on a SILENT Yacht it is possible to run the electric motors at such a low rpm powered solely by solar energy and without consuming fossil energy. Any conventionally powered boat would need to run the diesel motors permanently when using the kite. 

“At 5 Beaufort we can drive with the kite indefinitely at 6-7 knots, which is faster than a comparable sailing catamaran in such wind condition when crossing the ocean, for example,”  adds  Michael Kohler .

Different layouts availabls

The first SILENT 60 has four guest cabins on the lower deck, including a spacious master suite, but other layout solutions are available. There are numerous social areas on board, including an airy main salon, an aft cockpit, a cosy bow area and a flybridge. The yacht also has high headroom throughout (up to 2.32m in the main salon).

Thanks to a draft of under 1m the yacht can access shallow bays, a crucial consideration for cruising grounds in the Caribbean and South East Asia. Two swimming platforms in the stern can be extended on owner’s request to carry a pair of electric jet skis. The lifting hydraulic platform between the two platforms can carry a 4 m tender.

Efficient technology

The SILENT 60 is equipped with the company’s ventilation system, which provides cool and fresh air to all the interior guest spaces and can be individually adjusted to suit conditions. In addition, a reverse-cycle heat-pump system cools and heats the interior for all-season comfort. The insulated hull ensures that stable on-board temperatures can be achieved without excessive energy consumption.

A watermaker powered by solar-energy produces enough water to supply a full complement of guests. All on board appliances operate on the 220/110-volt system. The galley has good refrigerator and freezer space and an efficient induction cooker that precludes the need for carrying propane gas.

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Silent Yachts Silent 60 Takes Sustainable Sea Travel into New Territory

Silent Yachts is a company with a focus on greener sea travel without compromising refinement and luxury. It’s a vision shared by many companies; however, most boatbuilders are seemingly only ‘talking the talk’, whereas Silent Yachts is undoubtedly ‘walking the walk’ with their Silent 60 Catamaran.

When it comes to green, long-distance travel, boating is king. Using the sun, wind, batteries, vertical farming methods and a seawater desalinisation system; aside from medical emergencies, you could potentially live for years on the sea without ever stepping foot on land.

The solar electric Silent 60 Catamaran from Silent Yachts is an excellent example of what’s possible today. Their innovative 17.99m yacht is jam-packed with innovative features, including solar power and a very innovative kite sail system.

What separates the Silent 60 Catamaran Silent Yachts has become the first boatbuilder in the world to create a fully sustainable luxurious boat powered solely by solar energy and wind. Their Silent 60 has had forty-two solar panels installed that power two electric motors, backed up by a 286 kWh battery.

This combination means that the catamaran can travel using just solar energy for up to 100 nautical miles at a speed of up to 20 knots every day for weeks on end.

If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Wow, that sounds great!” hold on, as there is more to come. In addition to the solar power, the Silent 60 also has the additional option of a 9sqm or 13sqm kite wing to help to propel it. The kite wing is housed in a dedicated storage locked under the foredeck along with a short collapsible mast and an electric winch.

The kite system Setting up the kite wing system is relatively straightforward. The mast is mounted on a base plate inside the locker, leaving the foredeck clutter-free. It’s then a simple case of connecting the kite’s tether to the mast, inflating the kite and releasing it overboard where it will drift on the surface of the water. By pulling on the lines, the kite will launch into the air, and when it has reached its optimal height, it will begin performing a figure of eight in the sky and start pulling the yacht.

To retract the kite, you use the automated controls on the app to move the kite directly above the boat where there is the least amount of pull. From here, the electric winch will bring it back down to the foredeck, where it can be packed away.

Some reading this might be thinking, “Why use a kite when you can use a sail?” There is a significant advantage a kite system has over a sail system, and that is a kite operates at a much higher altitude reaching steadier and far stronger winds. Another significant advantage of a kite system is that it can be used at a low speed, even at less than ten knots. It would be pointless hoisting a sail in these low wind speeds on a similarly sized boat.

Unless you’re not bothered about what direction you’re heading in, it should be noted that using a kite system does require some skill, particularly when it comes to steering. A kite system pulls the boat, whereas a sail system pushes a boat. To help, the solar-powered engines designed by Solar Yachts can run at a very low rpm (less than 100) which will help with the steering.

While on the subject of solar power, Silent Yachts has configured all of the onboard systems to run using solar energy, negating the need for fossil fuels or a generator.

Inside the Silent 60 On the lower deck of the Silent 60 are four guest cabins, including a spacious master suite. The boat boasts numerous social areas, including an airy main salon, flybridge and a cosy bow area. We used the word airy to describe the salon as the boat offers high headroom throughout, and in the main salon, it’s a whopping 2.32m.

To ensure that guests feel comfortable throughout a journey, the Silent 60, the boatbuilders have installed a fully adjustable ventilation system that provides cool fresh air to the interior guest spaces. In addition to this, a reverse-cycle heat pump has been installed to provide heat, ensuring all-season comfort.

The Silent 60’s hull has also been insulated to maintain stable temperatures onboard without using excessive energy. In addition to this, it has a solar-powered watermaker, producing more than enough to supply a full complement of guests.

For those that enjoy fun on and in the water, the Silent 60 has two swimming platforms in the stern, which can be adapted to carry a pair of electric jet skis and a hydraulic lifting platform capable of carrying a 4m tender.

If you decide to head towards the solid ground one day, the Silent 60 was built with less than 1m draft, making it ideal for cruising in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. The Silent 60 is a pretty brilliant boat and shows what is possible. If I was the head of one of the largest superyachts manufacturers and still content with using fossil fuels, I think I’d be quaking in my boots.

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Natasha Godbold

Creative director / writer.

Natasha is a co-founder of Luxurious Magazine® and has undertaken the role of Creative Director. She is a keen photographer and regularly accompanies Paul on hotel and restaurant reviews. Born in Moscow, Natasha like her husband Paul has experienced living in multiple countries around the world. She is bi-lingual and has degrees in English Language and English Literature. Natasha covers all aspect of the luxury industry in her work. Her hobbies include health and fitness, culture and learning about nature and animal welfare.

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Silent 60 sea trial: quiet, spacious, self-charging

The first impression on stepping aboard for our Silent 60 sea trial is how light, airy and spacious everything feels – more like you’ve entered  a large, luxe beach house rather than boarded a vessel that is going to take you out along the water.

The wrap around windows provide the panoramic view, and with the fore and aft sliding doors open a gentle breeze drifts through the main deck salon, completing the illusion that you are entirely out in the open air.

The temperature here in Fort Lauderdale is in the low 80s F (mid 20s C) and the clear blue sky is speckled with the kinds of clouds that inspired Joni Mitchell’s ‘ice cream castles in the air’ lyric.

The Silent 60 we will be taking out today is their recently launched front exit model. This vessel was built in the company’s Thailand shipyard ( they also have facilities in Austria, Italy and Turkey ) and will shortly be making her way up the US coastal waterways to her new home and owner in the New England area.

Captain Kyle Miller will be piloting that journey, but today he is taking 12 of us out for a cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway, accompanied by Silent Yachts in-house Designer Juliana Miguel and US Sales Director Philip Bell. They are all eager to show off what the Silent 60 can do. And we are all eager to experience it.

Solar electric yachts pioneer

Silent Yachts is a pioneer in solar electric boating. Founded in 2004 by expert sailors and avid environmentalists Heike and Michael Köhler, they spent the next five years measuring the production and consumption of energy on every trip – long or short – working out how to combine electric propulsion with a totally onboard energy supply.

Next came the challenge of how to add and service the energy load required to host 8 passengers with a water maker, electrically prepared meals and other amenities like ship-wide heating and cooling.

By 2016 they were ready with the Silent 64, the first serial production solar powered yacht in the world, and in 2018 the 64 crossed the Atlantic Ocean, travelling from Cap Verde to Barbados in 16 days, with an average speed of 6 knots.

The Silent 60 line we are on today was introduced in 2021 with more powerful electric motors, larger battery banks and the latest solar panel technology. She has won numerous awards, including the 2021 German Design Awards and Gustave Trouvé Awards for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating .

Twin 250 kW motors, 225 kWh battery storage

Captain Miller has helmed a few iterations of Silent-Yachts catamarans, the first in early 2019 when he sailed a Silent 64 from the Bahamas to Florida. His on-the-water experience helps guide the company’s design advances.

“Every boat since that 64, you can just see and feel the improvements” he says. “In my opinion this is the best boat Silent-Yachts has built, certainly the best I have captained.”

The big change, he says, is the higher power motors. The Silent 60 is available with a variety of motor and battery systems, today’s boat has twin 250kW motors (≈340 HP each) and lithium ion battery packs with a combined 225 kiloWatt hours of electricity storage.

This gives the Silent 60 the ability to up its cruise speed from 6 to 8 knots, but Kyle says the increase in power is also appreciated when docking or in tight quarters.

“You have a lot more control” he says, proving his point by easing off a side slip in the narrow canal where the boat is moored, then executing a tight turn to get us out on to the Intracoastal.

“That was the air conditioner” says Miller, “I turned off the blowers for the salon.” Apparently that refreshing breeze we noticed earlier coming from the sliding door at the bow end of the salon has a very practical purpose.

Air conditioning is one of the major power loads on any yacht. The Köhlers knew that from their years and miles of research and have made sure that the units on all Silent-Yachts models are among the most efficient anywhere.

Still, they can draw as much as 8 kiloWatts of power when operating at full blast, and we can see from the easily understood screen of the energy monitors that is about the same draw as the motors at our current speed.

The company’s first solar electric catamarans did not have the front exit option, but it’s cooling effect is a big bonus.“If you can get comfortable without the air conditioning on, you can effectively double your range.” says Miller.

The other benefit of the front exit is being able to easily access the sundecks at either end of the spacious salon. Both are ideal places to enjoy a cool drink of your choice, and have a quiet conversation without the rumble of motors beneath you.

Catamaran platform makes for giant open space

Click for larger images

The impression of airiness we got on first stepping aboard only gets stronger as we spend more time on the Silent 60. The catamaran format provides a huge platform for all of the living and relaxing areas, and even with 12 on board you could easily find your own little spot to curl up with a book or do whatever else you would like without running into the other guests.

The front lounge off the main salon has an L-shaped seating area on one side of the front exit door, a double size day bed on the other and a large deck with storage space and hatches.

The stern lounge is a multipurpose area where 6 guests could sprawl out on cushions or all could be accommodated for a meal at the dining table.

There is another sizeable lounge area on the flybridge (to enjoy the ocean breeze in all its glory) where 8 people can comfortably sit and chat and if you really want to be alone, there are always the cabins in the lower deck and pontoons. There are 4 in total, all with ensuite bathrooms: the full width master (20 Sq m) VIP cabin, and 2 generous guest cabins, 1 with a double bed, the other with 2 singles.

The air conditioning fans are on when we go in the sleeping areas, but it is striking how quiet everything is considering the motors are literally a couple of meters/yards away. Hard to imagine they would be this serene if it were 250 horsepower fossil fuel motors that close.

The main salon is the place where you can really feel the difference a catamaran makes to comfort and space. It is 50 square metres (550 sq ft), but figures don’t do a very good job of conveying how big it feels, especially with the wraparound glass. The minimalist design and light colours also contribute to the open air ambience.

Green philosophy extends to materials

The cockpit is at the bow, with lounging space on one side, the dining area on the other and the open kitchen galley area.

The Silent 60 is obviously meant for entertaining and travelling with friends and family, so the kitchen/galley and how it fits into the flow of life on the water is essential to that experience.

The Europeans prefer the ‘cooking’ island to face the interior salon while those in the US almost invariably choose the opposite so they can chat with guests in the open air lounge.

“The counters are exactly the same,“ she says “they are just switched for what the client prefers.” She’s happy to configure the set up either way, even happier to consult with clients on the materials used throughout the boat interior.

Juliana started with Silent Yachts in 2021, coming from a background in general interior design with an additional degree in yacht design. She previously worked with large cruise companies and is delighted to now be with a company that focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the whole vessel. That includes the materials throughout the interior.

“There are some incredible products out there, with more and more companies providing information on the impact of the whole manufacturing cycle.” she says. “I am delighted – the clients are delighted, too – when we find the fabric, or table top or other material that has the exact look and feel they want and is also as environmentally friendly as possible.”

Solar panels can generate 17 kWp

Aside from the oodles of space for living quarters a catamaran allows, the hull format also provides a technical advantage for electric boats: oodles of surface area to place solar panels.

Today’s conditions are pretty close to ideal – it’s a clear day and we are out cruising in the afternoon when the sun is shining most directly on the panels.

All this means that, even as we cruise along, the boat is actually generating more electricity than we are using and putting the surplus into the battery. The motors are using 8-10 kW, and the air conditioner and other hotel load about 5 or 5 kW. It’s like filling up your boat with fuel even as you cruise.

Not every afternoon is as perfect as this, but on the other hand, the solar panels are generating electricity all the time the boat is in the sun, whether it is moving or moored. It can also be charged with shore power, and the battery’s 225 kiloWatt hours of electricity are available whenever demands requires.

We get an unexpected taste of how exactly that works when another boat comes unexpectedly close in the tight and often crowded waters of the intracoastal. Our blissful quiet was suddenly interrupted by the rumble and vibrations of the motors being thrust into reverse – hard.

The instant torque and response of the 250kW motors came in very handy in the situation, and while it is hard to gauge, I would estimate that we were able to come to a complete stop within less than the length of the catamaran.

Tested on the open seas

The episode did interrupt our tranquil cruise, but it also served as a reminder that water and weather conditions don’t always cooperate. Which brings us to another benefit of catamarans – stability.

“There’s no hiding in 16 foot seas,” he said “and sitting on the floor back there you saw the tender go up and then drop down below the horizon, and we were like…OK…this is a pretty good sea trial, good test!”

“We ended up changing our direction just to make sure we didn’t lose the tender, and the run turned into 28 hours instead of 14, but at the end of the day it was all good, no damage to either vessel and all ready to get back out there the next day.”

One hopes that one isn’t going to run into those kinds of conditions on a regular basis, but unexpected conditions are one of the reasons the solar electric catamaran has a diesel generator on board and can carry 1,000 litres of fuel.

The fuel is used to charge the battery, the motors continue to operate all-electric. The back-up is there for times when you are going to need power either for short term spurts or for maintaining higher speeds over a long period. It is also handy for extended open water cruising when the sun may not be cooperating or you may want to go at high speed to get out to a destination or back to shore.

Kyle says it is highly unlikely he will use any diesel whatsoever on the trip up to New England, and the new owner is looking to use the boat for relaxed daytime and overnight cruises with family and friends fairly close to the coast, not for going out on high speed runs.

The peace and quiet of the Silent 60 doesn’t come cheap, with a starting point of about $3 million (US) without any customization. Most of the new owners – and there are twenty Silent 60s being constructed right now – obviously think that is good value for the serenity of the on-water experience as well as knowing they are treating themselves and their friends to a luxury experience without increasing their carbon footprint. The price of diesel is also making solar electric propulsion attractive to a whole new type of client.

Silent 60 sea trial uses 7kWh

As we arrive back at our slip and softly sidle into place surrounded by dozens of fossil fuel yachts of similar length, one can’t help but reflect on the difference in consumption. Before we disembark, I ask about the final tally on energy usage. We started out with a full battery – 207 kWh – and arrived back with 200 kWh.

Not bad for a one and a half hour cruise on a spacious catamaran with all the amenities one could want, a giant main salon, sun decks galore and all the while being able to appreciate the trip without any rumbling motors or exhaust fumes.

I take one look back at the Silent 60 before I go and there she is, sitting in the sun, her solar panels silently recharging her batteries – for free – and getting set for another great day tomorrow.

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2 thoughts on “ Silent 60 sea trial: quiet, spacious, self-charging ”

Pedantic I know – but for the love of all things electrical never say something like “…meaning 17 kiloWatts per hour can be generated under ideal conditions”. kW per hour is not a unit of anything. kWh/h is what you meant but of course that is just kW!!!! i.e. 17kW

You are absolutely correct, David. The reason I wrote it that way is that I felt within the context of the paragraph it was a good way of explaining the concept of kWP for those not familiar with it.

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Since New York City’s 2003 blackout, Ralph Katz of Manhattan has kept two transistor radios and fresh batteries stashed in bedroom and bathroom drawers.

“If that happens again, this may be the only way I’ll get my news,” said Mr. Katz, 75, a retired public relations executive and longtime WCBS Newsradio 880 listener.

“When I get up in the morning, I want to know what’s going on — what’s breaking, what’s happening, what subway is delayed, where the traffic jams and other problems are — to set up the day.”

But his favorite AM news station will soon be gone.

WCBS said this week that its nearly 60-year run as an all-news station will end this month. The station will become WHSQ and host ESPN New York sports talk.

It is an almost inevitable development as reliance on radio news continues to decline, with the rise of podcasts and smartphones delivering news, weather and traffic information.

Local radio was once a pillar of the New York City news ecosystem. WCBS helped make up the running backdrop of frenetic city life. Residents listened to it in the shower, at the breakfast table, in their cabs. It blended with the clamor of the delis and bodegas. It provided the small informational necessities that enable urban living — traffic and weather every 10 minutes on the 8s — and chronicled the epochal events that shaped New York.

Local news coverage in general has declined in recent decades. City desks downsized, and many neighborhood papers vanished or were bought up by chains and cut back. Newsstands once draped with dozens of papers now carry few or none or have disappeared entirely.

But WCBS, which began its all-news format in 1967, retained a loyal base of stubbornly analog New Yorkers. These listeners are mourning the loss of one of the city’s last straight news format stations.

“It became part of the skyline of New York,” said Jonathan Kahn, 68, a lifelong New Yorker and self-described “radio guy” in Queens.

He called WCBS one of the last vestiges of live radio on the AM dial, one that provided “the immediacy of radio, the reporters’ personalities and the news on the hour.”

“With WCBS, there’s always someone there in a newsroom on the other end of the speaker,” Mr. Kahn said. “You don’t get ‘This just in’ listening to a podcast, and you don’t get ‘We interrupt this broadcast’ on a streamed show.”

Officials with Audacy, WCBS’s parent company, cited “headwinds facing local journalism nationwide” and said the station would switch to the sports format on Aug. 26. Mets games will continue to be broadcast on the station.

Loyal WCBS listeners may switch to WINS, the other all-news station that Audacy owns in New York, which has enjoyed a larger audience.

The Writers Guild of America East, which represents part of the WCBS newsroom, said that 23 staff members it represents were being laid off.

Sam Wheeler, the guild’s executive director, called the closing of the station “a giant loss for New York City and the news industry at large” and criticized Audacy’s decision as “another example of consolidation by a major media conglomerate, which ultimately deprives the public of critical local news stories with different perspectives.”

An Audacy spokesman, David Heim, declined to comment on the layoffs.

Whether at the diner counter or slogging through midtown traffic, the station’s news readers helped brief millions of listeners in a New York minute.

Its lead stories were delivered at the top of the hour punctuated by staccato snare-drum beats. Then came traffic reports on the tunnels and bridges from Tom Kaminski in Chopper 880 and weather updates with the meteorologist Craig Allen. To New Yorkers, the features and names became internalized mantras.

The station played a vital role in covering stories like the terror attacks of Sept. 11, the blackout, the Hudson River emergency plane landing in 2009 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

“Pre-smartphones, when people didn’t have access to a TV, they had their car radios and battery-operated radios and they listened to 880 for hours,” said Peter Haskell, a reporter at WCBS who retired in 2022 and worked on all those stories in his 28 years. “And that’s how they got information on flooding and power outages and news from public officials.”

Mr. Haskell said the station developed strong listener loyalty.

“One woman once told me, ‘Don’t tell my husband, but you’re the first voice I would hear every day — you woke me up in the morning,’” Mr. Haskell said. “It speaks to how intimate and personal radio is, and to how 880 had this role for so long, playing such an important part of people’s lives.

“It’s such a big, sprawling metropolis, but radio has this deep powerful connection,” he said. “You’re having a one-on-one conversation drawing listeners in. People hear the reporters in their home, in the car and in the office every day, and these people begin to feel like a friend to them.”

The writer and commentator Fran Lebowitz said she heard about WCBS’s closure on Monday from WINS, which she usually favors over WCBS because its signal is stronger on her radio.

“I was thinking after hearing the news that it’s probably a matter of minutes before we don’t even have radios anymore,” said Ms. Lebowitz, adding that since she does not use a computer or cellphone, she listens to news radio “400 times a day, on and off.”

Ms. Lebowitz, 73, said that when she mentions her radio news habit to younger people, “They say, ‘The radio? What’s that?’”

“I may be the youngest person who listens to radio anymore,” she said, adding that in the early 1970s when she drove a hack, “Every cab had it on all the time, because they have the traffic reports.”

One of the drivers was Davidson Garrett, 71, who listened to news radio for the four decades he drove a yellow cab in New York before retiring in 2018.

“It was the soundtrack to the city,” he said. “I was a big news junkie, and I drove at night, so it was my lifeline. It helped keep me from falling asleep behind the wheel and was really the only solace you had as a cabdriver. When you’re stuck in gridlock and you’re going out of your mind, the radio really calmed people down.”

“Passengers would ask you to turn it on,” Mr. Garrett said. “A lot of passengers, particularly men, liked to listen to the game or if big news was happening.”

On the air Tuesday morning, the anchor Paul Murnane told listeners about the station’s closing before segueing to a segment on chronic problems plaguing New Jersey Transit, adding, “We won’t miss the commute.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the man who does traffic reports for WCBS Newsradio. He is Tom Kaminski, not Todd Kaminsky.

How we handle corrections

Corey Kilgannon is a Times reporter who writes about crime and criminal justice in and around New York City, as well as breaking news and other feature stories. More about Corey Kilgannon

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The Silent Hill 2 remake feels like the PS2 classic in a Resident Evil 2 remake wrapper, and you know what? That's not bad

In my restless dreams, I see that town in 4K 60 fps on Unreal Engine 5.

I get the impression Bloober Team knows what you think of it. Ever since the studio was announced as the driving force behind Konami's remake of the impossibly beloved Silent Hill 2, it feels like the game's fanbase has been sucking air through its teeth, keeping one wincing eye on development to see how badly Bloober messed up.

I don't think it has. Having spent three hours with the game, it's not perfect , but I didn't come away thinking the devs behind Layers of Fear and The Medium have massacred a classic. Instead, I think people's scepticism has inclined them to play things safe, turning out a UE5 embellishment of the original that feels a lot like Silent Hill 2 filtered through the design sensibilities of the Resident Evil 2 remake. 

For die-hards and purists (terms I don't use pejoratively; I'm a die-hard and purist about plenty of stuff), that shift will likely be too much by itself. But if you're just Silent Hill-curious, or someone with vague memories of the now-23-year-old original game who'd like to return to that town? I think Bloober might have actually pulled it off.

Leon Sunderland Kennedy 

It does feel a lot like that RE2 remake though, in terms of how it plays. The three hours I spent with Silent Hill 2 took me from its opening—James Sunderland getting his head together in the roadside toilet we all know and love—through the streets of Silent Hill and into the Wood Side and Blue Creek apartments. If I'd squinted I probably could have convinced myself I was playing Capcom's 2019 banger using some kind of greyscale ENB preset.

Bloober has dispensed with the fixed camera angles and tank controls of the original game and given us something all about shaky over-the-shoulder aiming and rotating objects you pick up in the world. A transition from Resident Evil (old) to Resident Evil (new) in gameplay.

If you're not wedded to those fixed camera angles, it works. The pitch-black and creaky flats of the Wood Side apartments didn't feel any less tense and fearful just because I was looking at them from over James' shoulder and not from a viewpoint placed somewhere in the corner of the room, and I suspect the angle will be a lot more palatable to a disturbingly adult-aged population of players who didn't grow up with games that refused to let you control the camera.

If I'd squinted I probably could have convinced myself I was playing Capcom's 2019 banger using some kind of greyscale ENB preset.

Besides, not everything feels new. You'll still have to solve slightly baffling puzzles to progress at times, just like in the good old days. That's baffling in a "why would a human design this?" sense, mind you, not difficulty. On normal puzzle difficulty (you can choose separate difficulties for combat and puzzles, just like the old game), I had little trouble getting through puzzles old and new: things like fixing the Neely's Bar jukebox, solving an expanded version of the coin puzzle , and figuring out the code to a safe by pointing my torch at spots on the wall. 

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I'm glad those puzzles are there, because they gave me a break from what's probably my biggest gripe with the whole experience: the combat. Just like the RE2 remake, Silent Hill 2 makes gunplay a high-risk, high-reward proposition. Hit your enemies and they go down relatively quickly, but miss and you're wasting your very limited supplies of ammo.

But where RE2 remake's zombie foes were good cannon fodder—they were slow and shambling, which kind of made up for the fact that Leon had a tendency to sway as he aimed—Silent Hill 2's don't feel suited to shooting. They can be fast , particularly the Mannequins , and that makes for a frustrating combo when James' aim wibbles and wobbles like psychosexual jello.

Melee's a little better: Fighting single enemies with James' club is a matter of whacking away at them and hitting dodge as they telegraph their counterattacks. It's not the meatiest or most engaging combat you've ever played, but it works. Trying to go mano a mano with groups of foes, though, is a surefire recipe to end up getting mobbed.

Fighting is plentiful, which gives you a lot of time to pick away at its flaws, but to be clear, Bloober hasn't turned Silent Hill into a character action game. There's still lots of room for the atmosphere to breathe and seep into you, and I never actually died in all my time with the demo, despite a few close calls. Perhaps the real problem is the cramped environments I spent the demo in: Encountering foes on the streets isn't so much of an issue given that you can just run around them, but a lot of my time in the apartments—which were sprawling—was taken up by fights that often felt more frustrating than tense.

But combat in the PS2 game was no picnic either. Maybe making it kind of a chore in the remake is just Bloober trying to be extra faithful. It's the atmosphere and narrative that makes up for it. The monsters might not be super-fun to fight, but they are truly horrifying, all squeaky and shiny and unnervingly sexual, and the sinister crackle from your radio that signals their approach never stopped being creepy and ominous to me. Silent Hill's vibes have survived its transition to modernity even if the fighting sometimes leaves something to be desired. And hey, iffy combat never stopped the original from becoming a classic.

So despite some missteps, I think the attempt to modernise the game is a success. Sure, it feels a lot like Silent Hill 2 in an RE2 skin, but that remake was pretty excellent . There are far worse examples for Bloober to follow, and for the most part it's done well at wrapping the vibes of SH2 in that modern package. 

Story mode 

Narratively, the remake is the Silent Hill 2 of old: James has got a letter from his wife saying she's hanging out in Silent Hill. As an attentive husband, James is like 85% sure his wife died three years ago, so that's concerning to him. Off he goes on an adventure to figure out just what's going on, finding a town filled with monsters and a few kindred spirits who have also found themselves inexplicably drawn there.

In my time with the game, I met characters like Angela and Eddie , and they, too, are pretty much as they were 23 years ago. Their voices have changed, though. Bloober isn't reusing the voicework from the original game or the HD re-recordings, and the new direction definitely feels different. The PS2 version felt like it had a bit of a stage-acting thing going on: Characters tended to speak clearly and with great enunciation, maybe even getting a little hammy at times. 

Not so in the remake. Here we have acting that sometimes dips into Silent Hill 2 ASMR; James and co speak quietly, naturally, often muttering to themselves as they work through the tumult in their heads out loud. 

It feels more, well, modern. Acting you'd see in a movie or on prestige TV as opposed to the kind of thing you'd find in the bombastic annals of videogame history. I liked the performances, but if you view acting in the original game as a crux of the whole weird, off-kilter experience, I can imagine being disappointed that Bloober didn't try to capture that essence.

Mostly, though, things seem to be staying as they were. Cutscenes like James' first meeting with Angela in the graveyard and his first encounter with Pyramid Head are very much as you remember them from 2001. There may have been actual unrest in the streets if Bloober had tried to change the game's storytelling, so I'm pretty sure we can all rest easy that the studio—which has always been criticised for its narratives —seems to be taking a light touch. 

Pretty sure . Like I said, I spent most of my time wandering around the Wood Side and Blue Creek apartments, so I wasn't exposed to much beyond the beginning of Silent Hill 2. Could Bloober try to pull the narrative rug out from under us later on? Maybe, and boy I do not envy its email inbox if it does. 

See that town? You can go there

Fans have been rightly sceptical of Bloober's involvement in the Silent Hill 2 remake, but I think the studio's instinct to stay mostly faithful has paid off. Despite being a long-time advocate for remakes getting weird with it and mixing things up, I don't think that attitude would have served the developer well in this case. Let's be honest: To Silent Hill 2 stalwarts, perfection brooks no improvement, and the studio's writing just wouldn't be up to the task of doing something interesting with the game anyway.

Yes, there are jettisoned aspects of the old game that will rub devotees the wrong way, and some things (the combat) that just don't quite feel great to me, but overall? My time with the remake gave me the feeling that Bloober has taken an admirable stab at a nearly impossible task.

One of Josh's first memories is of playing Quake 2 on the family computer when he was much too young to be doing that, and he's been irreparably game-brained ever since. His writing has been featured in Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times. He'll play pretty much anything, and has written far too much on everything from visual novels to Assassin's Creed. His most profound loves are for CRPGs, immersive sims, and any game whose ambition outstrips its budget. He thinks you're all far too mean about Deus Ex: Invisible War.

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