ZEN Yachts

What ZEN Yachts does

ZEN Yachts (legal entity Zero Emission Nautic Ltd., incorporated in Malta with operating subsidiary Zero Emission Nautic SL. in Spain) is a privately held marine technology company founded in 2021 that designs and builds luxury zero-emission catamarans. Its core product, the ZEN50, is a 15.7-meter carbon-fiber solar-electric catamaran with an 18 kWp solar roof, a 160 kWh lithium battery bank, twin 50 kW brushless DC motors, and — on premium variants — the OceanWings32 fully automated wingsail supplied by Ayro (a VPLP spin-off derived from Oracle America's Cup technology). The platform is offered in six configurations spanning Solar-only and Solar-and-Wingsail drivetrains at prices from EUR 1.85M to EUR 2.85M and carries CE Cat A unrestricted certification; the company also plans a ZEN65 Hydrogen model with fuel-cell propulsion.

The company sells directly to affluent eco-conscious yacht buyers through its Marina Vela Barcelona showroom, factory tours at its ISO-certified La Ràpita boatyard, and presence at European boat shows and America's Cup 2024, with a EUR 25,000 refundable reservation deposit securing production slots and a roughly 16-month order-to-delivery lead time. To complement one-time yacht sales, ZEN is building out a ZEN Ownership Programme (managed charter services that allow owners to generate passive income) and a Green Debt Fund providing asset-backed vessel financing (EUR 1m-10m tranches, 36-72 month tenors). As of the input period, four ZEN50 units had been sold before launch and three additional pre-orders received, with the first hull targeted for Summer 2025 launch and August 2025 sea trials; the company is venture-backed following a EUR 5.5M Series A led solely by Ocean Zero in March 2023.

Name

ZEN Yachts

Legal name

Zero Emission Nautic Ltd.

Website

https://zenyachts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZEN Yachts designs and builds luxury zero-emission solar-electric catamarans (ZEN50) with optional automated wingsail, sold directly to affluent eco-conscious yacht buyers across six configurations priced EUR 1.85M-2.85M, supported by charter management and green-asset financing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Sailing Yachts

NAICS

Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Catamaran (Power & Sail) Manufacturing (IMAJAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Systems (IMAJAHAC), Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC), Catamaran & Multihull Leisure Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAEAC)

Keywords

• Solar electric catamarans
• Zero emission yachts
• Wingsail propulsion
• Luxury sailing yachts
• Carbon fiber boats

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Yacht Sales: One-time purchase of ZEN50 catamarans in various configurations (Racer, Cruiser, Explorer) with or without wingsail. Prices range from EUR 1,850,000 to EUR 2,850,000 depending on configuration.
2. Charter Management Services: ZEN Ownership Programme enables yacht owners to generate passive income through charter operations when not using their vessel, with ZEN managing the charter and providing income
3. Vessel Financing and Leasing: Green Debt Fund providing asset-backed commercial loans for vessel leasing and charter management contracts with 36-72 month tenors in tranches of EUR 1m-10m
4. Charter Services: Charter division preparing packages to support ZEN eco-yacht ownership with income-generating charter programs at Croatia base and other destinations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ZEN Yachts designs, manufactures, and sells the ZEN50, the world's first series-production solar-electric catamaran equipped with a fully automated OceanWings32 wingsail. The 15.7m carbon fiber catamaran combines an 18 kWp solar roof, 160 kWh lithium battery bank, and dual 50 kW brushless DC electric motors, delivering zero-emission blue water cruising with infinite range at 5+ knots and up to 14 knots maximum speed. The company complements yacht sales with a ZEN Ownership Programme offering managed charter services and a Green Debt Fund for vessel financing.

Product overview

ZEN Yachts offers a portfolio of eco-friendly luxury catamarans anchored by the ZEN50 Solar & Wingsail Electric Catamaran — the world's first series production catamaran equipped with a fully automated wingsail. The ZEN50 is available in six configurations across two drivetrain options: Solar-only versions (Sea Racer, Continental Cruiser, Tropical Explorer) priced from EUR 1,850,000 to EUR 2,300,000, and Solar & Wingsail versions (Ocean Racer, World Cruiser, Arctic Explorer) priced from EUR 2,400,000 to EUR 2,850,000. The product line serves different usage profiles from basic coastal cruising to unlimited ocean exploration. ZEN also offers complementary services including charter management, financing support, and maintenance programs. A future ZEN65 Hydrogen model incorporating fuel cell technology is planned for 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ZEN50 Solar & Wingsail Electric Catamaran The ZEN50 is the world's first series-production catamaran equipped with a fully automated OceanWings32 wingsail, combining an 18 kWp solar roof, 160 kWh lithium battery bank, and dual 50 kW brushless DC electric motors in a 15.7m lightweight carbon fiber Corecell composite hull. It delivers true zero-emission blue water sailing with up to 14 knots top speed, 180+ nm range over 24 hours, and continuous infinite range at 5+ knots, controlled via touch screen with no sailing skills required and certified CE Cat A for 12-person unrestricted operation. Available in six configurations (Sea Racer, Continental Cruiser, Tropical Explorer in solar-only; Ocean Racer, World Cruiser, Arctic Explorer in solar-and-wingsail), priced from EUR 1,850,000 to EUR 2,850,000.
• ZEN Ownership Programme (Charter Management Service) Charter management and ownership program that allows ZEN50 owners to generate passive income through managed charter operations when they are not personally using their yacht, with ZEN handling charter logistics and providing income distribution to owners. Includes asset-backed vessel financing through the Green Debt Fund (36-72 month tenors in EUR 1m-10m tranches).
• ZEN65 Hydrogen Yacht Future vessel model incorporating hydrogen fuel cell technology, designed as a larger follow-on to the ZEN50 catamaran and intended to broaden ZEN's zero-emission product portfolio with hydrogen-based propulsion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 knots maximum speed with combined electric propulsion and wingsail
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ayro (OceanWings)coreTechnology or IntegrationAyro is a spin-off of VPLP, providing the OceanWings32 automated wingsail for ZEN50. This technology was initially developed for Team Oracle during the America's Cup 2010 and further developed and automated by VPLP. ZEN50 is the first series production leisure craft equipped with this fully automated wingsail.
• VPLP (Van Pettham Lauriol Prestwich)coreTechnology or IntegrationWorld-class naval architecture and yacht design bureau providing support for ZEN50 hull shape optimization, sailing scenario simulations, and technical validation. VPLP is the original developer of the Oracle wingsail technology.
• Julien MélotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning solar boat designer and CEO of ZEN Yachts. Engineer in Electro-Mechanics and Naval Architect with 10+ years designing electric, solar & hydrogen boats. Designer of ZEN50 from blank slate with support from VPLP.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lagoon (Beneteau Group): World's largest sailing catamaran producer and Beneteau subsidiary. Competes with ZEN in the multihull luxury segment but at much higher volume and with broader sailing (non-electric) product focus.
• Greenline Yachts: Hybrid-drive motor yacht manufacturer with established H-E-Drive (hybrid electric diesel) technology. Targets similar eco-conscious boating buyers but with monohull motor yachts rather than catamarans.
• Fountaine Pajot: Established volume catamaran manufacturer with a sailing/multihull lineup including electric variants. Larger, broader incumbent with dealer network and aftersales scale that ZEN lacks.

Direct peers

• Silent-Yachts: Pioneer of series-production solar-powered catamarans and motor yachts. Most direct competitor to ZEN Yachts, operating in the same eco-luxury solar-electric catamaran niche with comparable price points and customer profile.
• Sunreef Yachts: Luxury custom catamaran builder with an Eco line (solar, electric, hydrogen) overlapping ZEN's product positioning. Comparable target market (HNW eco-conscious buyers) and overlapping multihull manufacturing footprint.
• Windelo Catamarans: French performance catamaran builder marketing itself on eco-friendly construction and efficiency. Targets a similar HNW cruising buyer and competes directly with ZEN50 in the European performance catamaran segment.

Others

• Ayro: French wingsail technology company (VPLP spin-off) and ZEN's technology partner for OceanWings32. Comparable through enabling-technology overlap in automated wingsails for marine propulsion.
• VPLP Design: World-class naval architecture and yacht design bureau (originator of Oracle Team USA's America's Cup wingsail) and ZEN's design partner. Thematically adjacent through multihull design and wingsail engineering.

Emerging players

• X Shore: Swedish electric boat maker focused on sustainable dayboats and center consoles. Comparable mission around zero-emission marine mobility but at lower ASPs and smaller craft than ZEN.
• Hinckley: Iconic American luxury yacht builder that has moved into electric propulsion with its Dasher model. Comparable HNW buyer profile and luxury electric narrative, but different form factor (dayboat vs. catamaran).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCad70JPRE_SkIa6h0KY0WXA
• Instagraminstagram.com/zen.yachts

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZEN Yachts