As a Spirit cruiser racer (CR) design, the Spirit 44CR has added beam and headroom compared to the sleeker Spirit classic yachts. This extra volume creates a wider cockpit and a more spacious interior for cruising and live-aboard comfort. With a light displacement of only seven tonnes and options for performance deck hardware, sails and rigging, the Spirit 44CR is light on the water and provides the opportunity for regatta racing.
As with most Spirit designs, the 44CR has the option to have an electric drive system. Due to its size, light weight and easy handling, the Spirit 44CR is the ideal yacht to run solely on electric power generated by hydro propulsion and solar energy (or shore power). A generator can be added to extend range if preferred.
The details below are based on existing Spirit 44CR electric drive yachts on the water and in build. All Spirit yachts are custom and as such the 44CR design and drive system can be tailored to suit an owner’s preference and itinerary.
Designed with the goal of using the minimum amount of fossil fuels, the 13.4m Spirit 44CR has an Oceanvolt ServoProp15 sail drive. The lightweight electric drive system (weighing 65kgs) uses hydro generation via the variable pitch propeller to regenerate the battery bank of up to eight 7.2kWh batteries (totalling 57.6kWh) whilst sailing. Regeneration depends on weather conditions, but test sails have seen 1.5kW at 8knots of sailing speed. With an upwind speed of 7.5knots and a range of up to 53nm at 6knots, the yacht is capable of cruising comfortably and efficiently without discharging carbon emissions.
Solar panels incorporated into sustainable decking on the aft deck support the electric drive system by regenerating the batteries. The solar panels can be colour-customised to suit the yacht and have the capacity to regenerate 430W in total.
The aft deck is spacious for sunbathing and houses two large lazarette lockers, with storage for an inflatable tender and various watersports and cruising equipment. If solar deck panels are chosen, these form the hatches to the lazarette lockers.
Carbon mast and boom and nitronic rod rigging are teamed with OneSails 4T FORTE™️ recyclable sails and high performance winches (options for electric or manual). The first Spirit 44CR went a step further and has solar panels integrated into her main sail. The three panels on each side of the sail have the capacity to regenerate a total of 1,120watts.
The wide cockpit has seating for eight guests and a central table for alfresco dining and entertaining. At the aft end of the cockpit is the eye-catching 40″ Sipo Mahogany and stainless steel wheel, from which the helm has an easy view of the navigational instruments.
Down below, the Spirit 44CR has accommodation for four people across two double cabins.
The owner’s cabin with double berth (option for a V berth) sits forward of the head and shower room, which are located on the port side. Aft of the owner’s suite are the saloon and galley. The saloon has seating for six guests across the port and starboard sofas around a central hand-crafted dining table. Entertaining is enhanced by the sociable open plan galley, which has everything needed for life onboard, including an induction hob, fridge and microwave.
Space gained by the comparatively smaller electric drive system (a diesel engine is larger and heavier) means there is room for an aft double guest cabin on the starboard side (option for twin berths if preferred). The cabin houses plenty of storage, as well as a fold-down navigation table, which acts as a hatch into the main saloon area.
The interior is light and airy with white painted timber that complements the natural light from the overhead and coachroof hatches. The exposed Sipo Mahogany ringframes and yellow cedar hull planking reveal Spirit’s quality craftsmanship and add warmth to the interior.
A reversible heating/air-conditioning Webasto pump heats and cools the yacht using minimal power. All lighting is LED and a Webasto 4.2gallon 115v/750W heater provides hot water.
The interior layouts shown in the drawing and photos below can be tailored to suit an owner’s preferences.
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