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The Horizon SC46 is a 46-foot power catamaran that was produced by the iconic Taiwanese yacht-building brand Horizon Yachts between the years of 2010 and 2015. One of the world’s first solar-powered catamarans, this innovative model not only offers owners a spacious and stylish cruising option with the added lateral stability of a dual-hulled vessel but an eco-friendly, green way to traverse the seas. Crafted in collaboration with naval stylist J.C. Espinosa and German tech pioneers SolarWaterWorld AG, this radical new option for sea-going propulsion boasts two hulls with fine, wave-piercing entries, a super-sleek profile and wrap-around glazing for a sharp and stylish look.
The broad roof of this vessel features a sprawling set of photovoltaic solar panels to generate up to 6kW of energy feeding a battery bank with up to 48kWh of back-up power. Sail with zero-emissions, minimal vibration and limited engine noise while the sun is shining, or enjoy up to eight hours of cruising at night or when the sun is hidden behind the clouds.
But it’s not just sustainable energy that lets this watercraft stand out from the crowd. A wide beam of 16.5 feet offers plenty of space for sun-kissed relaxation out on a teak-lined foredeck with two side sofas, cocktail tables and a double-width sunpad with flip-up headrests. In fact, this catamaran is so wide that there’s even sets of sofas tracing the side-decks so that guests can enjoy rare views out to port and starboard. There’s even more space on the sheltered aft-deck, where the transom sofa can accommodate up to eight guests simultaneously, with room left over for a sprawling dining table or even an outdoor jacuzzi plunge-pool. To stern there are twin swim platforms attached to the end of each hull, not to mention a hydraulic platform that can be lowered into the water or utilized for tender storage.
Head into the main-deck salon to enjoy a breezy space surrounded by wrap-around glazing, with innovative block-lighting on the ceiling, where you will find a starboard sofa, a port-side dining table with seating and an open galley with high-end branded appliances, bar facilities and a trio of bar-stools. This teak-lined space also features a forward helm station with bench seating, power-steering, an illuminated compass, VHF radio, digital throttles, an MFD screen and superb visibility.
There’s two sets of steps down to the lower-decks, with one staircase leading down to a large day-head with a shower stall. There might only be one stateroom down here, positioned where the two hulls join at the front of the vessel, but it is a spacious and well-appointed retreat with a queen-sized double bed, rich timber surrounds, spot lighting, oval windows, opening portholes, a full-height closet and an en-suite bathroom with an enclosed shower cubicle.
Expect top speeds of 7.6 knots and cruising speeds of around 4.6 knots thanks to a Krautler electric engine linked to the solar panels and battery bank.
