Private yachts are somewhat synonymous to luxury, but does that ever mean that they cannot get ecofriendly? No is the answer from Island Pilot LLC, who have unveiled the first ever hybrid luxury yacht dubbed the Island Pilot DSe Hybrid 12m, powered by diesel fuel, solar energy, and electric power.

The vessel is 12 meters long (39.5 feet) and can cruise at 13 knots on diesel fuel and 7 knots when in zero-emissions mode. A zero-emissions level is achieved with a 6 kW solar array and a 20 kWh battery bank.

The yacht is the first-ever production motor yacht with zero emissions in America, according to Reuben Trane, president of Island Pilot, LLC.

The hybrid yacht boasts state-of-the-art on-board luxurious amenities, including an on-deck master stateroom with a “sleigh bed” and a 270-degree panorama view, guest stateroom with island queen that converts to twins, and a spacious galley that has two settees, a high-low table, a 26” HDTV and a Bose home theater system.

Tech facilities include a Garmin 15-inch touchscreen with Garmin HD radar, Tecnautic Fly by Wire controls and gyro autopilot, 4 zones of air conditioning, hi-tech refrigeration with ice maker, and a KVH Satellite TV antenna with DirecTV receiver.

To be a proud eco owner of this green machine, you would have to pay $600,000; Island Pilot is currently taking orders.

Unveiled yesterday at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 30 – November 3), the first green yachts are expected to hit the water in early 2009.

“But why would anyone think the addition of solar power to a yacht would somehow detract from its luxuriousness?

Perhaps this is one of the problems with alternative energy—some people have an inherent mistrust of anything unfamiliar. Hopefully the increasing accessibility of solar, wind, and geothermal will alleviate these concerns.”

Source cleantechnica / yachtingmagazine.