{"id":135735,"date":"2025-06-05T06:17:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T05:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/?post_type=review&p=135735"},"modified":"2025-07-17T11:22:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T10:22:52","slug":"greenline-45-fly-hybrid-review-can-this-hybrid-hold-up-to-my-overnight-test-pushing-its-systems-to-the-limit","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/reviews\/electric-and-hybrid\/greenline-45-fly-hybrid-review-can-this-hybrid-hold-up-to-my-overnight-test-pushing-its-systems-to-the-limit","title":{"rendered":"Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid review: Can this Hybrid hold up to my overnight test pushing its systems to the limit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at MBY, we spend a lot of time on boats. But while the average press trip tends to involve an intensive spell at sea followed by an Uber back to the airport, this is one of those rare occasions when we get the chance to spend the night on board the Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the guys at Argo Yachting in Mallorca, the plan is to jump on board the new Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid and go for a cruise, before finding a quiet anchorage to spend the night away from shore power. We can then run all the systems we require for an evening of entertainment and a comfortable night\u2019s sleep before heading off again the next day.<\/p>\n

In other words, our job is to use the boat exactly as a keen cruiser might and see how Greenline\u2019s 6th-generation hybrid system copes.<\/p>\n

The hybrid concept<\/h2>\n

While the standard Greenline 45 Fly<\/a> uses a pair of Yanmar diesel engines hooked up to V Drives, this hybrid model positions a small 25kW eMotor on each shaft between the diesel engine and the gearbox.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s powered by a remarkably compact row of lithium-polymer battery boxes, each with 11.1kWh of capacity. Three is standard but the test boat has four and there is the option for six (as well as plenty of space for eight) so 66, or potentially even 88kWh, looks like a very real possibility.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The eMotors slot onto the shafts between the diesel engines and the gearboxes before the V-drive heads back aft<\/p><\/div>\n

The use of the eMotors does of course lengthen the upper shaft, so the diesel engines have to be shifted back a touch, beneath the moulding for the aft storage compartment. But that\u2019s not a problem because a handy lift-out tray in the base of the toys locker gives you quick and easy access whenever you need it.<\/p>\n

Now, as you would expect, the battery bank caters both for your hotel loads and for spinning your props when in electric mode. But in terms of topping these battery banks up, that\u2019s not achieved by dedicated generators and, in spite of Greenline\u2019s solar power heritage, it\u2019s not achieved by means of the sun either.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, as a flybridge<\/a> (rather than a coup\u00e9), there\u2019s only space for a couple of panels on the roof ahead of the flybridge wind deflector. In principle, you could add a hard top to the flybridge, quadrupling your solar generation potential but if you do so, you would also have to spend extra money (and use extra energy) on a gyro to compensate for the extra weight and windage.<\/p>\n

In short then, when the battery banks run down, they are topped up simply by running the diesel engines \u2013 and for the average cruiser, that represents no hardship at all.<\/p>\n

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Crawling along at 3 knots in electric mode sees sound readings of just 46Db(A)<\/p><\/div>\n

Pre-dinner cruise<\/h2>\n

Setting off is certainly a pleasant experience. The walkaround decks, the skipper\u2019s side door, the side gate and the steep windows make everything very simple to manage. And the automatic default to electric mode is also a treat.<\/p>\n

As we ease out of the marina at 2-3 knots, we\u2019re seeing sound readings of about 46Db(A), which is as close to noise-free as you\u2019re likely to experience. The data display is also very useful. It tells us the amount of energy we\u2019re using at any given time, as well as the time to empty, so you can extrapolate your range.<\/p>\n

Article continue below…<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n Two formidable brands join forces to create the most advanced hybrid motor yacht<\/a>\n <\/h2>\n <\/header>\n
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\n The boat even drug-runners are scared of: Marell M17 hybrid yacht tour<\/a>\n <\/h2>\n <\/header>\n
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But in practice, that range isn\u2019t huge (from 5 to 25 miles) in electric mode because range extension is not the purpose of the hybrid package. And with a top end of about 6.5 knots, it\u2019s not about speed either.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about providing you with the capacity to operate without noise, vibration or fumes in marinas or bays, where you want a more serene and light-footed approach, both for your own benefit and for the benefit of those around you – and as this boat is already illustrating, that is very easily achieved.<\/p>\n

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The Yanmar 370s will recharge your battery banks in about 90 minutes<\/p><\/div>\n

That said, the rate of update on the screen is distinctly slow \u2013 so much so that having waited in excess of two minutes for the \u201ctime to empty\u201d calculation to catch up with the new revs and speed, we simply give up and move on with our lives.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not critical though because, having exited the marina and found some open water, we\u2019re now ready to activate the engines and put on some pace. With the battery bank now sitting at about 70%, we hit the diesel buttons and as the Yanmar 370s kick into life, the screen changes.<\/p>\n

The rate of kW usage becomes the rate of charge and the \u201cTime to Empty\u201d figure becomes \u201cTime to Full\u201d. The electric motors then take on the role of energy generation and with a maximum feed of 29kW from 1,200 to 3,000rpm, you can fully charge an empty bank in about 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Going from electric to diesel propulsion (from energy usage to energy generation) is a simple push-button operation<\/p><\/div>\n

But it\u2019s an intelligent system too, so in order to protect the health of the batteries, it won\u2019t allow you to discharge to 0% or charge to 100%; and if you choose to push the diesels beyond 3,000rpm, toward the top end of 23 knots at 3,650rpm, it will cease charging the batteries to ensure that you have maximum propulsive power at your disposal.<\/p>\n

Now though, as we ruminate on the merits of the drive, the weather has taken a tangible downturn. And with some aggressive winds making an overnight anchorage look problematic, our skipper changes the plan. We\u2019ll head back to our marina berth and operate solely on the batteries, precisely as we would have done if away from shoreside facilities in a remote bay.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s nothing like beer to crystallise your perspective<\/p><\/div>\n

In cerveza sincerity<\/h2>\n

As I sit at the saloon dinette with a box of beer and some Spanish charcuterie, I have plenty of time to reflect on the merits of eco-friendly boat building, and in Greenline\u2019s case, I have to say its commitment looks profound.<\/p>\n

It was established in Slovenia in 2008 with the intention of becoming a pioneer in responsible boating and today, whether you opt for the entry-level coup\u00e9 or the range-topping flybridge, every model is available with a choice of hybrid, fully electric or fully diesel propulsion.<\/p>\n

It goes further too. During the construction process, any offcuts of wood are apparently turned into heating pellets; the foam sandwich used to strengthen the hulls comes from recycled PET plastic; and any leftover foam is reused by a neighbouring company to produce home insulation. And that\u2019s all great but it would be inescapably delusional to imagine that an extra set of batteries makes a diesel boat any greener…<\/p>\n

\"\"

With big volume, lots of light and great views, the forward VIP is probably the best cabin on the boat<\/p><\/div>\n

Yes, you could argue that it\u2019s better for your immediate surroundings in that there\u2019s no pollution in terms of noise, vibration or fumes. But those batteries are full of lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel \u2013 all of which have had to be mined, refined and shipped \u2013 and there\u2019s still no clear cost-effective protocol as to how they should be recycled at end of life.<\/p>\n

In fairness, that could be levelled just as pointedly at the electric car industry and the millions of people who blithely commit to electrical propulsion systems, when candid introspection might suggest that it\u2019s more a placebo for the sensibilities and a trend-driven accessory for a hip young workplace than a solution to real-world problems.<\/p>\n

So if you do commit to hybrid propulsion of this kind, don\u2019t kid yourself you\u2019re rescuing the environment. Recognise instead that it adds a fresh and enjoyable new dimension to your boating life \u2013 because to this point, that\u2019s exactly what it appears to do.<\/p>\n

In any case, before the beer blurs the line between perspective and belligerence, I\u2019m keen to give this Greenline system a bit of a workout, so I plug in every gadget I can reasonably lay my hands on \u2013 camera batteries, two phones, a laptop, a couple of microphones and a portable battery bank, among various other bits and bobs.<\/p>\n

I watch some unintelligible local TV, run every fridge, drink tea like a man possessed and mess about with the heating and air-conditioning, just as I might if I were on board with my wife and kids and we were pathologically incapable of agreeing on what constitutes \u201ccomfortable\u201d.<\/p>\n

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The owner\u2019s settee makes great use of the extra headroom on the port side<\/p><\/div>\n

When the morning arrives, I go further. I indulge in a lengthy shower to give the pumps a good workout before abusing the Twinings once more \u2013 and when I finally revisit the MFD at 0830, a full 14 hours after tying up at our berth, we\u2019ve used about a third of our energy, which is down from 96% to 64%.<\/p>\n

Now of course, if you were operating in the heat, the AC might get a lot more action than it has done during our two days of cool, windy weather. The use of hair dryers and straighteners might also make a more significant dent.<\/p>\n

But as things stand, it\u2019s reasonable to assume that, with our 44kWh battery bank and our substantial (but not excessive) energy demands, we could carry on as we are for the rest of the day and spend another night on board before having to head back out for a cruise.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s likely to prove very serviceable for most users but just to add additional flexibility and to avoid having to interrogate my energy choices on the second night, I would still be inclined to spend a little extra (\u20ac15,400 plus tax for each additional 11kWh battery) and request six or even eight boxes instead of the standard three.<\/p>\n

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The owner\u2019s bathroom is excellent but a heated mirror wouldn\u2019t hurt<\/p><\/div>\n

A bit about the Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid itslef<\/h2>\n

As regards the Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid itself, spending the night on board tends to reveal a couple of things you would tweak, so before we head out again, let\u2019s run through them.<\/p>\n

Firstly, it would be good to see the edges of the dipping deckhead in the owner\u2019s cabin upholstered, both for a more premium feel and to protect careless heads. The bed\u2019s a shade firm too and if they added a heated mirror to prevent steam build up in the ensuite, that certainly wouldn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good cabin though \u2013 full-beam with big windows, plus cabinetry on one side and a chaise longue on the other. There\u2019s also the option, should you want it, of a huge walk-in wardrobe, both for the owner and the VIP if you decide to forego the third cabin on the starboard side. And popping the washing machine beneath the steps is another great use of space.<\/p>\n

But if it were my boat, I would give up the owner\u2019s suite in favour of the bow cabin. With lots of windows in the raised island sunbed, plus some well-placed cut-outs in the bulwarks and plenty of volume from the softly curved hull, there\u2019s masses of breadth, loads of light, great views and lots of standing headroom.<\/p>\n

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The principle of using diesel for sea passages and battery power for marinas and bays makes lots of sense<\/p><\/div>\n

Storage is plentiful too, both in the peripheral drawers and the hanging lockers; and there\u2019s lots of room to sit upright in bed because the hull shape enables the bed to sit deep, without having to fight with an excessive forepeak taper. The only drawback is the fact that the VIP\u2019s ensuite heads is shared as the day heads \u2013 but that aside, it\u2019s an absolute beauty of a cabin.<\/p>\n

Now we don\u2019t actually need to head out for a morning cruise; and if we were at anchor, we could of course run the engines in neutral to get the batteries charged without moving.<\/p>\n

But given that I\u2019m only here for another few hours, it would be churlish not to go and have one last play…<\/p>\n

Does the Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid 45 make sense?<\/h2>\n

Thanks to Argo Yachting granting me two days on board the Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid, my clarity about this boat is as pronounced as my fondness for it.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a hybrid system that boosts your range on the basis of sunshine, this is not it. If you\u2019re looking for a boat that makes your boating more eco-friendly, again, this is not it. But if you want a well sorted diesel-powered family flybridge cruiser<\/a> that makes great use of the space, then step this way.<\/p>\n

If you want a boat with big light and views, this is a winner. If you value the capacity to operate in silence when required, this is a very easy way to do it. And if you want to enjoy generator-free overnight anchorages without worrying too much about hotel loads in parts of the world where marina berths are often at a premium, then this impressively polished solution is full of merit.<\/p>\n

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If you want a well sorted cruiser that makes great use of space, then step this way<\/p><\/div>\n

Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid specifications<\/h2>\n

LOA:<\/strong> 47ft 4in (16.04m)
\nBEAM:<\/strong> 14ft 8in (5.00m)
\nDRAFT:<\/strong> 3ft 10in (1.16m)
\nDISPLACEMENT:<\/strong> 13,500kg (light)
\nFUEL CAPACITY:<\/strong> 1,500 litres
\nWATER CAPACITY:<\/strong> 600 litres
\nENGINES:<\/strong> Twin Yanmar 8LV-370hp diesels on V-drives + 25kW eMotors
\nRCD:<\/strong> B16
\nCONTACT:<\/strong> argoyachting.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Greenline 45 Fly Hybrid costs and options<\/h2>\n

From:<\/strong> \u20ac894,900 ex VAT Test boat includes the following options\u2026
\nExtra 11kWh battery:<\/strong> \u20ac15,400
\nNavigation package:<\/strong> \u20ac43,600
\nFlexiteek decking:<\/strong> \u20ac16,600
\nTropical reverse-cycle AC:<\/strong> \u20ac37,400
\nHydraulic passerelle:<\/strong> \u20ac30,800
\nHydraulic 300kg aft platform:<\/strong> \u20ac27,400
\nStern thruster with twin AGM batteries:<\/strong> \u20ac8,600
\nElectric opening aft toy storage:<\/strong> \u20ac11,000<\/p>\n

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\"\"If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/h2>\n
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Motor Boat & Yachting is the world’s leading magazine for Motoryacht enthusiasts. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams, as well as tests and news of all the latest motorboats.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers<\/a> and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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