This 42' Downeaster was first constructed in 1976. The hull is a classic Bruno Stillman but unlike every other model we are aware of, this was finished for entertaining.

Fast forward to 2015 and this boat had been out of the water for awhile. It was slowly heading towards the scrap yard until purchased by its current owner. The woodwork was restored professionally and she was looking great again.

She was ready for a new life as a private dinning experience boat. Nautiste curated a spectacular meal paired with wines paired by a Sommelier. It was all spectacular, all except the rumble and the smoke of the 45 year old Detroit diesel motors. Guests had a good time but the Sommelier could not in good conscious serve wine in these conditions. This would be the first and only charter he would do in current condition of the boat.

Recognizing the mismatch of fine dining on a loud and stinking boat, it was pulled from charter and Nova Luxe Yachts was hired to refit the boat with an electric propulsion system.

Requirements were well within the capability of electric motors, 5 knots of speed, 4 hours a day on battery power with the possibility of longer trips should they need to move the boat to another port at the beginning or end of a season.

Two 200hp diesel motors could plow the boat along at 11 knots. They were replaced by two 20kw WaterWorld inboard motors which reduced the top speed to 8 knots. 40kwh of battery was added and 10kw of charger/inverter power. Instead of using a 3rd diesel motor to run air conditioning which was necessary in the boats younger years, now, it would run off the propulsion battery bank. The 8.5kw generator was re-wired to charge the batteries.

Functionally, the boat can operate for 4 hours, at 5 knots while running air conditioning each day. At the end of the day, it is plugged in and will fully recharge each night. Perhaps these charters become more popular and two charters are done in one day. With an hour or two between charters she is still capable of a fully electric experience. Perhaps the conditions are rough, the charters run long and the AC needs to run at full blast. Still no problem, while underway, the generator can supply enough power to the battery system and the cruise can continue on without trouble. Perhaps a new captain unfamilar with electric takes the boat. No special training necessary, generator autostart functionality was set up to ensure the boat always has the power it needs.

Completed in the Spring of 2024 she was charted all summer. The first guests who had the diesel experience booked again and although they enjoyed the first trip the second one blew their minds.

She gained notoriety at the Wharf in DC and was invited to the Annapolis Power Boat Show. By water the distance between ports is 180 miles. Some marinas on the way have good power, some don't, doesn't matter for the power yacht Independence. Two crew took the boat by water, two travel days and one lay day and she was in Annapolis. A week later she was back in DC.

If you would like to experience something truly special, book a fine dining event with your friends this summer, https://www.nautiste.com/yacht-venues/independence?utm_campaign=novaluxe.