Which Is Right For You?
There is a lot of buzz in the yachting world about Greenline Yachts. Deservedly so. Forward thinking technology, exacting quality standards and many years of experience have allowed Greenline to achieve world leadership in pursuit of more environmentally friendly yachting.
Read further for a feature by feature hybrid yacht comparison between Greenline 39 and Greenline 40.
Like some of the more ecologically responsible automobiles, but on a much larger scale, the hybrid drive on Greenline yachts propels the vessel exclusively by electricity at lower speeds. It’s possible to cruise around a harbor or take a short and almost silent “sunset” cruise without burning any petroleum at all. When more power is required, high efficiency diesel engines take over. The combustion engines recharge the propulsion batteries while engaged.
With experience gleaned through launching hundreds upon hundreds of hybrid motor yachts, Greenline recently announced additional refinements to the technology. H-drive system 6G incorporates improvements in the charging capabilities of Greenline yachts, whether the electricity is sourced from solar panels, shore power, or mechanically generated by the diesel engines. The 6G system now permits a “crossover” operation on twin engine applications. One drive system remains in electric mode while the other runs in diesel. For example, if the starboard drive system were in diesel mode and the port drive system in electric, a Greenline yacht could achieve traditional “trawler” speeds without depleting the battery bands and burning only a few litres of diesel per hour.
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In addition to a lower carbon footprint, benefits of a hybrid drive include reduced fuel costs as well as longer intervals between any service cycles based on engine hours. Fewer engine hours as well as the presence of an emerging technology will promote higher resale values. All Greenline yachts are equipped with solar panels as one of three options to recharge the batteries, (shore power and the diesel drive engines are the others). When at anchor for an extended period, the solar panels prove adequate to keep all systems and accessories powered up. There is no need for a noisy and expensive diesel generator.
Future owners who find Greenline’s technology, styling, and quality build appealing will typically examine Greenline’s range of models to identify which yacht would best meet their needs, while being realistically attainable from a budget standpoint.
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Greenline 39 vs. Greenline 40
It would be tempting to wonder why Greenline bothers to offer both a GL39 as well as a GL40 model. After all, how much difference can 1-foot make? As it turns out, more than many people might suspect.
In researching this hybrid yacht comparison, we found Greenline 39- and 40-foot category is a busy place in the yacht-building world. The size lends itself to meeting the yachting needs of those both moving up to a larger cruising yacht from something their family has outgrown, as well as the needs of folks “stepping down” at an age where a larger vessel is becoming difficult to handle or justify. 39 or 40 feet provides enough space for a cruising couple to be entirely comfortable, as well as accommodate occasional overnight guests. A well-built 39- or 40-foot yacht will typically withstand much worse weather than the owners will ever encounter. For a host of reasons, this is a popular size range.
Greenline chose to establish this intersection in their range as the point where people looking for “big boat” features can find them on the GL40. Those favoring a more basic approach and placing a slightly higher priority on affordability will often gravitate to the GL39.
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Single vs Twin Hybrid Drives.
One of the most fundamental differences between the GL39 and the GL40 is that the GL39 relies on a single diesel/electric hybrid drive system and the GL40 features twin diesel/electric drives. The single engine permits Greenline to offer the GL39 at a lower initial price, allows more workspace in the engine compartment, and routine maintenance will be less expensive. In diesel mode and as commonly operated, the GL39 will burn less fuel per nautical mile.
The discussion between twin-engine and single-engine advocates likely goes back to the beginning of the Industrial Age, and fans of twin-engine technology correctly note that two engines, as found on the GL40, make the boat much easier to handle in close quarters. Not to mention allowing a greater turn of speed. The top speed of the GL39 is 14 knots. Top speed for the GL40 is 20 knots.
The concept of mechanical redundancy cannot be ignored when comparing single and twin-engine approaches. With a hybrid yacht the redundancy advantage of the two engines may be slightly diminished. The ability to switch to battery drive will propel either vessel for up to about 20 nautical miles on a full charge, quite possibly sufficient to make the nearest port in case of mechanical failure.
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Hull Design Differences
There’s a difference in the basic hull design between the GL39 and the GL40. The GL39 is the newer of the two. The GL39 includes a single, passive, stabilizing “fin” just forward of the prop. The GL40 uses two stabilizers located ahead of and outboard of the props to provide even greater resistance to rolling motions. While the nominal length may be only one foot difference, the GL40 is “beamier” and that creates additional benefits both on deck and in the interior layout.
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Technical Specs Comparison
| LOA | 39' | 40' |
| Beam | 12'4" | 13'6" |
| Draft | 2'11" | 2'9" |
| Dry Weight | 16534 | 17636 |
| Bridge Clearance | 9'8" | 9'1" |
| Fuel Capacity | 185 gal | 185 gal |
| Water Capacity | 105 gal | 105 gal |
| Holding Tank | 21 gal | 21 gal |
| Range at 7 knots | 1000 nm | 700 nm |
On Deck
If cockpit seating is a high priority, the GL39 offers a bit more than the GL40.
The Greenline GL40 has a side deck on both sides of the main cabin, with full height bulwarks. Greenline’s GL39 features a side deck only on the starboard side. Consequently, the GL40 can utilize both port and starboard boarding gates, while the GL39 must board from the starboard side.
The Greenline 40 features six high output 330 watt solar panels totaling 1980 watts of output. The GL39 has four solar panels at 1320 watts total. If you convert this to amps at 12 volts DC you get 27.5 amps peak from each solar panel which is more than enough energy to power the boats house loads while also storing energy in the lithium battery bank for later use at night. This enables the boats to stay on anchor for days with plenty of passive power available from the sun. No generator required.
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Interior Layout
Greenline’s GL39 and GL40 models have extremely similar interior layouts. Every compartment on the GL40 is measurable larger than on the GL39, and that creates opportunities for upgrades in comfort and amenities. For example, the GL40 offers a king size berth and the GL39 offers a queen. The GL39 uses a one-piece windshield, while the GL40 uses three separate pieces of glass separated by mullions. The one-piece windshield helps contribute to a more open and airy “feeling” aboard the GL39, even though it is slightly smaller than the GL40.
And The Winner Is?
In the eye of the beholder.
Yachting is a very subjective experience, and there’s a good market for both the Greenline GL39 and the Greenly GL40. It’s perhaps less a matter of one vessel being “better than” the other than it is a matter of appreciating the differences. If twin hybrid engine technology is a critical priority or the additional interior space and improved side deck access are appealing, the GL40 is likely to be the preferred choice. If a more affordable initial price (a savings of roughly $150k), and somewhat lower operating costs are high priorities, then the GL39 provides a single-engine alternative to the GL40 while delivering the same hybrid technology with many of the same comforts and conveniences found on the GL40.
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GL39 Gallery
GL40 Gallery
