Pioneer Yachts is a new brand of yachts founded by engineer and entrepreneur Mike Frank to fill a gap in the market.
When looking for a solar-electric yacht designed for reliable operation at sea, Frank says he realised the perfect model for him did not yet exist.
So he decided to create a team of engineers to build it for himself, with the result being the Stralsund, Germany-based Pioneer Yachts.
The first yacht from the new boat builder will be the PY60 (Pioneer One), which will receive its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026.
“As I am operating the first unit myself, this will serve as our key reference point,” explained Frank.
“We will monitor the operations under real conditions, and this essential data can inform further development. In short, future units will be built for real use. This is our top priority as a company.”
German engineering and Italian design
Frank, an engineer by trade, founded the meistro Energie group 20 years ago, supplier of electricity and gas.
The company was an early provider of direct CO₂-free energy from proprietary photovoltaic parks and now operates at scale in Germany and Frank wanted to apply the same principles to the maritime sector with Pioneer Yachts.
The PY60 combines German engineering and Italian design with the exterior design and naval architecture of the yacht by Cossutti & Ganz and interiors by Micheletti + Partners.
The 60-foot catamaran will be equipped with solar panels and electric engines and will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 11 knots, with a cruising speed of 7.5 knots.
The PY60 is designed for continuous, reliable long-range cruising using 100% solar-electric propulsion.
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