Greenline 45 Fly
BY PETER A. ROBSON
"IT WAS A PERFECT day for a powerboat review, with blue skies, a gentle westerly breeze and temperatures just above freezing. Aboard the new Greenline 45 fly with me were Pacific Yachting editor Sam Burkhart and David Siradze of SV Business Group. David guided us expertly out of our berth at the Race Rocks Yacht Services marina at West Vancouver’s Fisherman’s Cove.
The 45 fly is a great looking yacht, with sleek lines and an open flybridge (with a folding Bimini top) that looks even better folded than if it had a hardtop. I especially liked the covered aft deck and covered side walkways with high bulwarks. Her exterior design features and naval architecture is by the renowned design studio, J&J Design. The stylish interior was crafted by Marco Casali’s Too Design. Casali is a highly respected Italian designer known for projects in the superyacht sector.
POWER AND SYSTEMS Greenline Yachts has been producing diesel, diesel-hybrid and pure electric boats since 2008. They were the world’s first production builder to offer hybrid yachts. Our test boat is pure diesel, but 80 percent of Greenlines sold are hybrid and a handful are pure electric."
The VIP features a queen island berth, opening portholes and one of the best features-the numerous deck-level windows.
A hinged galley window opens ro create a seamless transition between the cockpit and the saloon.
Adjacent to the upper helm, a large sunbathing area is perfect for relaxing in the sun.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
It is important for any vessel to have an efficient hull shape. The more efficient the shape, the easier the boat slips through the water and the less horsepower required. Less horsepower also means less fuel burned. Greenline’s patented “superdisplacement” hull was derived in part from sailboat lines, with a similar deep forefoot, but widening aft to a slightly rounded bottom. However, above the waterline, the bow broadens out considerably and this allows for more interior room forward.
To further increase efficiency, the hull and interior were designed to be as light-weight as possible, while not sacrificing strength. To this end, the hull is vacuum infused using solid biaxial S-glass polyester resin. The extensive network of stringers and liners are built with lightweight composites and chemically bonded to the hull and cored deck. The interior molds are glassed into place and the pre-built modular components added prior to installing the deck. Extremely light plywood laminates are used in the interior finishing to further reduce overall weight. Wherever possible, eco-friendly fabrics such as PET foam core, grass paper and recycled materials are used.
ON DECK
A wide hydraulic swim platform with chocks will make it easy to launch and recover a dinghy, or lower the platform to swim or relax in a chair with your feet just underwater on those hot summer days. A transom grill is optional, but was not ordered on the test boat (however, a second grill/outdoor kitchen is located on the flybridge). With or without the grill, the transom door opens to reveal a garage with more than enough room for all the fishing gear, traps and toys one could want. Teak-planked steps to either side lead up to the teak-soled cockpit. A forward- facing lounge is fronted by a folding teak table with a flush cut out section in the centre of the table that when lifted out and flipped, serves as a drink holder. Add a few folding chairs and there’s plenty of room around the table for everyone. The sole hinges up electronically for full access to the engine room, which is tight, but there’s good access on both sides of the engines.
A folding door to the saloon tucks out of the way while a hinged galley window opens to create a seamless transition between the cockpit and saloon. A flip-down section of counterspace provides a nice ledge between the aft galley and cockpit for serving food or as a raised bar. The test boat was ordered with a canvas enclosure for the cockpit, which should keep the area comfy in the off season or in adverse weather. Teak steps lead up to the expansive flybridge.
The 15-inch (30-centimetre) wide, partially covered side decks and the raised bulwarks make it safe and easy to move forward regardless of sea conditions. A large sunpad area on the trunk cabin top has hinged sections to provide a variety of seating angles.
The flybridge has most of the same controls as the lower helm station, including two 16-inch Simrad touch screens. A huge folding teak table is flanked by L-shaped seating while forward is the summer kitchen with grill, refrigerator and sink. Like the cockpit table, the flybridge table has an interesting feature; a flush cut out section in the centre of the table that reverses to serve as drink holders. Having an open flybridge when the Bimini is folded down makes for excellent views all around. Adjacent to the upper helm, a large sunpad area is perfect for sunbathing. The two solar panels are located on the wide brow forward of the flybridge.
SALOON
Aft galleys are becoming more and more standard—for good reason. It allows the cook to be in the centre of the action whether the gang is inside the saloon or in the cockpit. The galley is equipped with a two-burner induction cooktop with an oven/microwave built in underneath. There’s even a good size dishwasher. Across from the galley is a full-size refrigerator/freezer. A narrow shelf aft of the fridge is perfect for a coffee maker while below is a pull-out spice cabinet. I like the raised fiddles on the countertops that prevent objects from sliding off in rough seas. Plenty of storage is available in overhead cabinets and under the counter, which is super for extended cruises. One feature of the U-shaped dining area is a natural wood table instead of the typical teak table. It can be lowered to create a wide additional berth. This raised grain table is different but a really nice detail.
Between the galley and helm station is a linear sofa that can be ordered instead as a raised bench with a hinged TV console. I prefer the lower sofa arrangement as opposed to a raised bench seat with no back.
The helm console is a big attribute, with twin 16-inch Simrad touch screens with separate manual controls (should it be too rough to use the touch screen). The throttles, autopilot, digital engine readouts, gyro controls, VHF, thruster controls, rocker switches and windlass controls are laid out neatly on the console’s black finish. A sliding door adjacent to the helm will make it easy to step out and drop a dock line. There’s also a side boarding gate here, but it is a bit high to be practical when moored to tidal docks.
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation areas are extremely stylish and comfortable, with plush carpets, soft beige wall treatments and, as per the saloon, horizontally-grained Alpi veneer (over real plywood).
The 45 is offered with either two (standard) or three staterooms with two heads with separate showers. The test boat was ordered with three cabins: a full width master, a bow VIP and a small guest cabin. Alternately, the third cabin can be eliminated in lieu of walk in wardrobes for both the master and VIP.
The master is fitted with a king size island berth flanked by a sofa to port and a long dressing table to starboard. Hull windows bring in ample light and the mirrored headboard makes the room look even larger than it is. Headroom is well over six feet on both sides of the bed. The ensuite comes with a raised vessel sink and one of the largest showers we’ve seen on a yacht of this size. There’s also room in the master for a combination washer/dryer.
The VIP is also spacious, and one couldn’t be faulted for thinking it is actually the master. It features a queen island berth, opening portholes and one of the best features—the numerous deck-level windows. As a bonus, cut outs in the bulwarks provide excellent views outside the yacht. A door provides private access to the second head and shower, which also serves as the day head.
The third cabin, if optioned, can be configured with a full width double berth (no walkaround) or bunk beds.
My only criticism here was that none of the doors have mechanisms to secure them in the open position, though they all have rubber stops to keep them from damaging the woodwork when open.
UNDERWAY
This yacht is not only luxurious, but extremely comfortable underway for both driver and passenger. The Webasto forced air heater kept us toasty inside, though the yacht is also equipped with more power-hungry reverse cycle air.
Acceleration from the combined 740 horsepower was impressive with half trim tab. There was no noticeable cavitation and no significant bow rise. Despite the shaft drives, our hard-over turning radius was less than two boat lengths and the 45 remained level throughout. We came onto the plane at about 13 knots, which was a bit sooner than expected. By the way, the 45 is the first Greenline model that planes. With minimal fuel aboard, a displacement speed of 9.2 knots saw us sipping 7.4 gallons per hour (28 litres per hour) at 2,000 rpm. On the plane at 14 knots (2,800 rpm), our burn was 19 gph (72 lph). At a fast cruise of 20 knots (3,400 rpm) our burn was 29.6 gph (112 lph). Our top speed was 24 knots (3,870 rpm). These are good fuel numbers when compared with other vessels of the same size. Visibility all round was good, though there is a blind spot from the fridge arrangement on the aft port quarter. However, four cameras, including two aft-facing cameras will help.
Throughout the sea trial, I felt I could drive the 45 all day with ease. Part of the comfort level was the lack of engine noise. At 20 knots, sound levels in the saloon were only 68 dB, probably the lowest this reviewer has measured, and conversation was easy without having to raise our voices. We did not spool up the gyro stabilizer, which is a good thing as it is important to test a yacht under normal roll conditions.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
For anyone looking for a yacht in this size range, the Greenline 45 would certainly be worth careful consideration, even without the advantages of being a hybrid. The 45 Fly not only looks great on the outside but the interior is also well laid out and stylish. Performance from the twin diesels was excellent and could not be faulted. With the notable battery capacity and solar panels, one can expect to not use the generator too often at anchor. As to seakeeping, while there weren’t any serious wakes to jump to judge performance in adverse conditions, the Greenline 45 is certified as a Class B Offshore Yacht. This means that it can operate offshore (200 miles or less) with winds up to 40 knots and significant seas of 13 to 20 feet. That should cover any conditions on our beautiful coast. Price as tested and equipped was $1,325,250 plus shipping. Some owners opt for a European delivery for exploring that part of the world before having the boat shipped to the West Coast.
The 45 Fly at a glance
LOA 15.57 m / 51' 1"
Beam 4.57 m / 15'
Draft 1.10 m / 3' 6"
Displacement (light) 13,500 kg / 29,700 lbs
Fuel capacity 1,450 L / 383 USG
Water capacity 2,271 L / 600 USG
Holding 757 L / 200 USG
Built by Greenline Yachts, Slovenia greenlinehybrid.si
Sold in Western Canada by SV Business Group, West Vancouver 604-901-2524
Sold in Washington by Ocean Trawler Yachts, Seattle 206-659-0710
For more information on the Greenline 45 Fly, go to www.greenlinehybrid.com