Overview:
The yachting world is excited about Greenline Hybrid yachts. Years ago, this innovative builder pioneered hybrid diesel/electric propulsion for recreational yachts. Greenline introduced the yachting community to a host of benefits that transcend savings on diesel fuel, reduced engine wear, and permitting more ecologically responsible yachting.
Quiet enjoyment of an anchorage, without running a generator but still using all onboard systems transforms “anchoring out”. Relaxed, quiet, sunset cruises at “sailboat speeds” facilitate casual conversation accompanied primarily by the sound of water sliding easily along the hull. There are as well additional and unique benefits associated with ownership of a Greenline Hybrid Yacht.
There are several unique yachts built by Greenline. Their hybrid yacht range includes both coupe and flybridge designs from 39 to 58 feet. Owners are permitted to make some layout choices before construction of a new Greenline, so coupled with the differences in basic floorplans between some models of comparable size acquiring a new Greenline hybrid yacht is not exceptionally different from ordering a semi-custom build.
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In this article, we’ll compare and contrast two Greenline Hybrid Yachts with only a 3-foot difference in nominal LOA (45-feet vs. 48-feet). Between these two excellent offerings and their available variations, Greenline Hybrid Yachts offers a combination of features and benefits almost certain to appeal to anyone investigating a midsize yacht ideal for use by a family or cruising couple.
The Greenline 45 Hybrid Compared with the Greenline 48 Hybrid
We’ll examine each boat from a variety of aspects, using the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht as a basis upon which to establish a variety of features and benefits, and then looking at any slight differences or upgrades between the Greenline 45 and the Greenline 48.
Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht Styling:
Greenline offers the 45 in either a coupe or flybridge configuration. Styling on either version incorporates the timeless features and proportions of nautical grace and beauty, accentuated with restrained use of flares and flourishes that make a contemporary statement. Greenline avoids the use of over-the-top styling gimmicks that inspire a few “gee whiz!” reactions, but then quickly lose appeal and look dated. A Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht doesn’t look like your grandfather’s yacht- but at the same time Grandfather would almost certainly approve.
Greenline very successfully incorporates the flybridge into motoryacht design. Cowlings, radar arches, and other structural components blend seamlessly into the overall look of the boat. Nothing appears to be slapped on as an afterthought. The design is less apt to make the vessel top heavy, increase rolling motion, or present as much “sail” when docking in a cross wind.
Owners who live in climates where a flybridge isn’t going to be heavily used during much of the year will consider the coupe styling. Greenline Hybrid Yachts coupe styling allows the builder to includeseveral additional solar panels on the expanded cabin top, facilitating faster recharge of the batteries and essentially eliminating any need for a diesel generator. The coupe also offers optional electric sunroofs available for additional light and ventilation.
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Greenline 48 Hybrid Yachts Styling:
The primary styling elements are essentially the same between the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht and the Greenline 48. The ability to look very appealing in two similar, but still different sizes, validates the design.
While there’s only a 3-foot difference in nominal length, the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht manages to look like a “bigger boat”, primarily because the midships sheerremains somewhat more horizontal for the few additional feet. The eye perceives a greater difference in length than actually exists.
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Greenline 45 Hybrid yacht on deck:
Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht owners will normally invite guests aboard at the stern. A hydraulic swim platform creates awelcoming “porch” (when not submerged for launching and retrieving dinghies or creating a just-awash bathing platform). The Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht is boarded with equal ease from port or starboard. Steps on each side are separated by a handy transom stowage locker- an excellent place to tuck away lines, fenders, PFD’s, crab pots, or even an inflatable tender.
Easily negotiated steps, (rather than a ladder), foster easy passage from the swim platform to the cockpit. The cockpit enjoys some protection from rain or extreme sun provided by an overhanging cabin top.
Greenline perceives the cockpit as one of the main socializing areas within the parameters of each design. While not as (oftenneedlessly) enormous as some cruising cockpits, there is comfortable seating and a generously proportioned table at the transom as well asspace on deck to arrange additional chairs. This flexibility permits the seating of guests in a variety of configurations, depending upon the size of the group and the occasion. There are no extended stretches of unused seats taking up space which, again depending upon the occasion, might be better utilized.
A Greenline characteristic universally applied among their models is a folding aft glasscockpit bulkhead for the main cabin. Locating the galley most aft in the main cabin permits easy food and beverage service in the cockpit area, without isolating the cook or the barkeeper from the festivities.
Greenline Hybrid Yachts never lose sight of the fact that their vessels need to be functional at sea. Side decks, both port and starboard, are of more than adequate width. Passage issecured by high bulwarks topped with substantial handrails. Both side decks offer overhead protection from the elements for a portion of the way forward. Transiting forward, one might notice some cutouts in the gunwales. These openings align with cabin windows on the lower deck, cleverly bathing the interior of the Greenline 45 Hybrid yacht in an abundance of daylight.
A boarding door on the starboard side is strategically placed to enable the skipper to step out of the pilothouse across the deck, and onto the dock. A useful maneuver when docking either solo or shorthanded.
At the foredeck, Greenline includes a sunbathing area atop the trunk. Ground tackle is hauled by a vertical winch, with chain stowage in a locker below.
On flybridge models, the access steps, the hatch, and the upper helm are all to port. There is seating along the aft rail, along with a table. There cushions upon which one might “perch” in the starboard forequarter. A stainless radar fitting stylishly provides a location for the radar transmitter to be above “head level” of those using the flybridge, and additionally serves as a mount for the anchor light.
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Comparisons on deck
| Easy boarding to cockpit, port or starboard | X | X |
| Transom stowage | X | X |
| Available submersible swim platform | X | X |
| Galley has direct serving access to cockpit | X | X |
| Pilot's midship boarding door | X | X |
| Sunbathing pad on foredeck | X | X |
| Enclosable flybridge | X | X |
| Additional foredeck hatch | X | |
| Lazarette, with "skipper cabin option" | X | |
| Additional "open D" settee on flybridge | X | |
| Mini galley on flybridge with grill and wet bar | X |
Greenline 48 Fybridge Yacht on deck.
The deck layout for the Greenline 48 Hybridge Yacht is similar to the layout for the 45, offering all the same advantages. There are a few notable differences.
On both the 48 Coupe and Flybridge models, main deck upgrades include an additional access hatch to a foredeck stowage locker as well as additional skylight hatches on either side of the sunbathing pad.
There’s a functional interior lazarette under the floor on the Greenline 48, which expands stowage considerably. There’s enough room in the cockpit lazarette that the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht can even be ordered with a “skipper cabin” (single berth, toilet, microwave, and TV) installed here.
The Flybridge version of the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht offers some exceptional advantages compared with the 45-foot model, there is a an “open D” shaped seating area to starboard, with the helm once again to port. Amini galley with a wet bar and a grill are on the port side, aft of the upper helm. In short, more seating capacity and more built-in features for entertaining.
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Interior Comparisons
| Aft galley, all electric | X | X |
| Fold up bulkhead section connects galley with cockpit | X | X |
| Built in dishwasher | X | |
| Hi-lo convertible table on port side of main cabin | X | X |
| Choice of built in TV or additional seating | X | X |
| Lower helm with state-of the-art nav technology | X | X |
| Two or three stateroom layout options | X | |
| Three staterooms standard | X | |
| Laundry room or stowage locker under salon | X | |
| Lots of daylight in the staterooms | X | X |
| Oversize Queen berth in master stateroom | X |
Greenline 45 Hybrid Yachts interior features:
All standard interior features and layouts are available for either the coupe or flybridge versions, on both the 45-foot and 48-foot models. The two different sizes offer some similar as well as some different custom layouts, primarily focusing on the number and configuration of staterooms.
The grand entrance to the main cabin of the Greenline Hybrid Yachts 45 is from the cockpit and through the aft bulkhead. Greenline puts exceptional emphasis on making the livability “flow” back and forth between the main cabin and cockpit, especially by use of the folding portions of the aft bulkhead that eliminate any separation from the most forward portions of the cockpit and the aft portions of the galley. This creates one continuous social space seamlessly connecting the outside to the inside.
The generous use of large windows in the main cabin additionally helps contribute to a smooth transition between indoor and on deck spaces. One steps from the cockpit into a similar light level in the main cabin.
The Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht situates that galley in the aft starboard quarter of the main cabin. Joinery in the galley, as well as throughout the entire vessel, is finished to a world class standard. A two-burner induction cooktop and an electric oven are positioned athwartship, with a galley sink facing the starboard cabin wall. There are covers for the galley sink and an adjacent garbage bin, allowing the creation of additional counter space when the sink is not required. Across the companionway, in the aft port quarter, the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht includes a full “household” size refrigerator freezer with upper and lower doors.
With the high battery capacity of a Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht, in conjunction with solar panels, it’s feasible to operate the all-electric galley and all other functions at anchor, without requiring an auxiliary diesel generator. The coupe versions, with their additional solar panels, are particularly well adapted to this principle.
Moving forward from the galley area, a hi-lo dining table is wrapped on three sides by a well-executed settee. As expected, when the table is in the “lo” position this area becomes an additional bunk to accommodate that “extra” guest staying overnight.
Opposite the dining area, on the starboard side, owners of a Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht can select either an entertainment center with built in video screen and stowage, or an additional settee with TV mounted on the forward side of the port aft cabinet facia, facing the dinette.
The lower helm station is in the starboard forequarter of the main cabin. Greenline puts great emphasis on ergonomics, allowing easy access and visibility of all major controls. Everything a modern navigator needs or desires either comes standard or can be seamlessly installed at the lower helm. The of course includes the simple and intuitive controls for the diesel/electric hybrid drive system.
Companionway steps provide easy transit between the main cabin and the lower deck.
The standard design of the Greenline Hybrid 45 yacht is a two-cabin configuration, but there are some innovative options available.
In every layout of the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht, the VIP stateroom is most forward. VIP guests will enjoy the luxury of a queen size, centerline, berth as well as an abundance of stowage. There are fixtures on either side of the berth ideally suited for storing and charging of cell phones. Windows in the VIP stateroom line up with the cutaway portions of the gunwale, permitting “over the water” viewing from the lower deck.
The VIP berth has semi-private use (a private door) of the vessel’s day head, on the port side of the companionway. The head features a deluxe marine toilet incorporating the latest available technology, a designer sink, and a nicely equipped shower stall.
The master stateroom aboard the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yachts is amidships, (the most stable part of the boat when underway).The master stateroom utilizes the vessel’s full beam, allowing the use of a generously proportioned berth. There is even more stowage than in the VIP stateroom, with large windows introducing abundant light. In the standard layout, there’s a small desk in the walk-in wardrobe.
There’s an optional three-cabin layout for the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht. The walk-in hanging lockers for the VIP and master staterooms are eliminated on the starboard side of the companionway, and the space is instead used for an additional guest stateroom. The optional guest stateroom is across the companionway from the day head andoffers enough room for over under bunks or a “French double” berth.
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Greenline 48 Hybrid Yachts interior features:
Consistent with other aspects we’re comparing, there are more similarities than differences between the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht and the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht
In the galley area, the primary differences are just a bit more room and the inclusion of a microwave, convection oven in the portside joinery next to the two-doorrefrigerator/freezer. The 48 offers an optional dishwasher.
A hatch in the main cabin companionway allows access to a laundry room and full beam commissary lazarette below.Alternatively, the laundry machine can also be located on the main deck inside the starboard guest room locker.
A major difference between the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht and the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht is that the 45 is a two-stateroom layout, with the option to eliminate walk-in hanging lockers to create a third stateroom. The Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht is always a three-stateroom layout.
The master stateroom is the most forward on the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht. A large, custom mattress creates a centerline berth.An optional “split single” berth is available on the Greenline Hybrid 48 yacht- and arrangement that “scissors” together at the heads of each bunk and can be positioned so that the two singles form a centerline double.
The master stateroom enjoys the same deck level windows as the 45, with additional light through overhead hatches and a series of four port lights. There are twin hanging lockers, a plethora of additional stowage, and conveniently located reading lights and docking stations for personal electronics.
The Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht features a “split head” concept for the master stateroom, with the toilet and sink in a compartment on the starboard side and the walk-in shower in a similar compartment to port. (An ideal arrangement when somebody is showering and somebody else would like to use the head).
There are two guest staterooms on the Greenline 48 Hybrid. Each stateroom is equipped with a pair of single beds, a variety of stowage options, reading lamps, charging stations, and almost everything essential for a comfortable night afloat. Each of the guest staterooms has its own ensuite, single compartment head.Additionally the 48 is offered in a generous two head two stall shower configuration with a companionway day head door to the guest head on starboard.
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General Specifications
| LOA | 51' 1" | 48' |
| Beam | 15' | 15' 9" |
| Draft | 3' 7" | 3' 3" |
| Displacement | 29,700 lb | 29,101 lb |
| Fuel Capacity | 396 gal | 396 gal |
| Water Capacity | 159 gal | 174 gal |
| Blackwater tank | 53 gal | 42 gal |
Common Propulsion:
The propulsion systems for both the Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht and the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht are the same. Both use twin Yanmar diesel engines, connected to electro generator drive systems. At slower speeds, the diesel electric hybrid drive system relies on energy stored in high-capacity Lithium batteries and the prop shafts are turned by electric motors. When a higher speed is required, the vessel shifts into diesel mode and the shafts are turned by the Yanmar engines. While the Yanmars are turning the shafts, electric drive motors become a pair of generators by which the battery system is quickly recharged underway. The batteries can of course be recharged using shore power, or by the array of solar panels on the cabin top.
The benefits of a hybrid drive system are numerous. Diesel engines don’t like to run at idle speeds, yet in some cases as much as 40% of the time a marine diesel is operating it is running at well under 1000 rpm. This slow speed operation subjects an engine to more wear and stress than running at 80% of wide-open throttle, and the inefficiency often results in increased exhaust emissions. Shifting the low-speed duties to a system designed for such application (electric motors) makes almost too much sense. Hybrid yachts will rack up fewer engine hours, which often improves resale value. Hybrid yachts require fewer “hours based” services, such as oil and filter changes.
Conclusion:Choosing a yacht is a highly personal decision. Different owners will prioritize different aspects. There’s no universal standard establishing whether (for example) an extra stateroom is more important than some other use to which the same space could be assigned.
The choice between a Greenline 45 Hybrid Yacht and the Greenline 48 Hybrid Yacht is a very low risk proposition- to the degree that whichever boat an owner decides is right for them they will wind up with a top tier product, featuring advanced design and technology, that will be fundamentally involved in some of the most enjoyable years of life.
Greenline 45 Gallery
Greenline 48 Gallery
