ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF GOING TO BOAT SHOWS is getting to see all of what’s new in one place. During my recent visit to the Cannes Yachting Festival, one subject was center stage all week: sustainability. ¶ How can boatbuilders continue to do what they do while reducing the impact on the environment? Some companies said this means lessening the carbon footprint by creating, improving or expanding hybrid diesel-electric propulsion options for yachts. Simultaneously, many of these builders are working toward fine-tuning hull forms to reduce hydrodynamic drag, and, in turn, put less demand on a diesel engine’s need for fuel. This thinking is being applied to all manner of vessels, from dayboats to yachts. ¶ When it comes to all-electric vessels, I saw companies such as Axopar, Silent-Yachts…
