Greenline 40 Hybrid Review: A Real Owner’s Experience

Why Choose a Hybrid Motor Yacht?

For Tony, choosing a hybrid motor yacht wasn’t about reducing fuel, it was about improving the entire boating experience.

When asked why he chose a Greenline hybrid yacht Tony answered, “The ability to motor in silence, with no vibrations or fumes, was the main attraction. It’s like sailing, without the sails, while harvesting energy from the sun”.

Rather than jumping in early, they waited for the sixth generation of Greenline’s hybrid system, refined over 16 years.

What followed was a highly considered build, designed to deliver performance, comfort, and true independence.

Why Choose the Greenline 40?

For Tony it all started with a wish list of options, and the list was extensive…

• Twin engines
• Bow and stern thrusters for easy handling
• Cruise speeds over 20 knots on diesel
• Tropical air conditioning for Queensland conditions
• Gyro
• Watermaker
• Quick recharge of the house batteries
• 240V power at anchor without a generator
• 15A and 32A power supply connections
• Electric Davit and Tender
• Starlink
• Chaincounter at the helm

It’s a big ask, but the Greenline 40 delivered across the board.

Greenline 40 Hybrid System, Does It Really Work?

At the core of this Greenline 40 hybrid review is a simple outcome, the system works exactly as designed, and often exceeds expectations.

“In operation we found the yacht did everything Greenline designed it for. It was tailored to take advantage of sunny Mediterranean cruising. Our cruising experiences in sunny, (and sometimes rainy) Queensland, outperformed the company data,” says Tony.

Arriving at anchor, the transition is seamless. Power continues to be supplied via the inverter, supplemented by the sun, and the entire boat continues running as normal.

“We found we could run the heavy duty tropical air conditioning, cook a hot lunch on the induction cooktop, operate the microwave, and most importantly the gyro, for a comfortable experience.”

With a substantial lithium battery bank and a powerful solar array, the system supports extended time off-grid, even in varied Australian conditions.

Solar Power and Life Without a Generator

One of the standout insights from this Greenline 40 hybrid review is just how little the owners relied on a generator; in fact, they didn’t.

“No generator required, no fumes, no noise,” explains Tony.

“We anchored for a week at Moreton Island and in the Noosa Everglades, running everything we needed without a generator.”

The combination of solar input and smart charging techniques allowed them to:
• Run air conditioning overnight
• Maintain onboard systems without interruption
• Recharge batteries efficiently when needed

A simple technique they used every 24 hrs of so, was to run one or both diesel engines in neutral, at low RPM while stationary, allowing the electric drives to act as generators. In just 30 minutes, battery levels could be restored back to 80%, setting them up for another quiet full day and night onboard.

Tony remarks, “This is the equivalent to running two generators.”

This is where a solar powered motor yacht shifts from being a technical feature to a lifestyle advantage.

Performance, Range and Efficiency

Hybrid Cruising

Another technique Tony used was to extend his cruising range by using one electric and one diesel at the same time. Simple but effective.

At low speeds, around 6 knots, we would run just one diesel engine at low RPM, which is the most efficient point for charging the batteries.
At the same time, the second propeller is driven by the electric motor, powered by a mix of battery, solar, and energy generated from the running engine.

In simple terms, both shafts are turning at the same RPM, one side is generating power while the other is consuming power, but no diesel.

“Using this setup, we consistently achieved over 3 nautical miles per litre, giving us a range of more than 500 nautical miles,” shared Tony.

“We used this configuration extensively on longer trips, including runs between the Gold Coast and Lady Musgrave.”

For even greater efficiency, they found they could also run on a single electric motor, reducing energy use significantly with only a small drop in speed, ideal for quiet cruising around places like Moreton Bay.

Top Speeds

While hybrid performance shines at low speeds and at anchor, Tony reports strong capability when covering distance in his Greenline 40.

• Comfortable cruising at 22 knots
• Approx. 100 litres per hour fuel consumption
• Max range is 7H x 22 Kts=154nm. (7L/NM)

“This is what we would do from Manly to Tin Can Bay nonstop, (5H45M/120nm) with one hour reserve fuel intact.”

Cruising the East Coast of Australia

This isn’t a theoretical review. This Greenline 40 hybrid review is based on extensive real-world cruising throughout Queensland.

Travel destinations included:
• Gold Coast waterways
• Moreton Bay
• Fraser Island
• Hervey Bay
• Lady Musgrave Island

A typical day often looked like this…

Departing Manly with fully charged batteries, cruising silently at 6 knots to Peel Island, spending the day swimming and exploring, enjoying lunch onboard with air conditioning running, then returning home with 20% battery charge remaining, without using any fuel.

It’s a completely different way to experience boating.

Layout and Liveability

Beyond the hybrid system, the Greenline 40 proved to be a highly practical and comfortable platform for extended use with its chosen options.

• Single-level layout from transom to helm
• Easy movement throughout the boat
• Comfortable overnighting with family and friends
• Gen 3 Modular Watermaker
• Highfield CL310 tender custom fitted with a lightweight centre console, GarminGT54UHD Chartplotter, bimany and EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO Outboard.
• Starlink Marine Performance Gen 2
• EPIRB
• Upgraded 9kg washer dryer

Paired with visually pleasing features like walkway lighting, full Flexiteek decking, varnished teak rails and cockpit shade, the boat is well-suited to longer stays onboard.

“The single-level layout from transom to helm is excellent. We have had many enjoyable overnights with family and friends, who love the VIP suite with its own TV and air conditioning,” says Tony.

What The Owners Loved Most

From this Greenline 40 hybrid review, a few clear advantages stand out:
• Silent cruising with no vibration or fumes
• No need for a generator at anchor
• Ability to run full onboard systems from battery and solar
• Flexibility to cruise efficiently or at speed

But above all, it’s the feeling the boat delivers.

For Tony, “The greatest advantage is leaving the marina in silence, cruising all day, and returning without using any diesel.”

Experience with Eyachts

The ownership experience extended well beyond the boat itself.

“Eyachts have been excellent, we could not have asked for better service.”

For many stepping into a hybrid motor yacht, having the right support and guidance is just as important as the technology itself.

This Greenline 40 hybrid review shows that hybrid boating is not just a concept, it’s a proven, practical, and highly enjoyable way to be on the water.

From silent departures to generator-free living and long-range efficiency, the hybrid motor yacht offers a smarter, quieter, and more flexible approach to cruising.

For these owners, it delivered exactly what they were looking for, and more.

Now Available

Tony’s well-loved and well-specified Greenline 40 is now for sale with Eyachts brokerage. If you have been considering hybrid yachting or Greenline, this opportunity is one to take a look at.