Design and Construction
The Panther 48 is constructed with advanced carbon fibre, a material choice that keeps the lightship displacement down to 8.5 tonnes despite an 8.05-metre maximum beam and a hull length of 14.62 metres. The Eco Panther Series is engineered for simplicity and lightweight construction while achieving full-electric capabilities, and this is borne out in the deck plan, where a lightweight deck gear layout pairs with a sleek carbon mast. The lightweight structure is not merely a weight-saving exercise; it enhances both performance and energy efficiency, allowing the yacht to do more with less stored power.
Rig and Handling
Above the 20.91-metre masthead the Panther 48 carries a self-tacking headsail that, together with the carbon spar, supports a user-friendly layout designed for short-handed sailing. The deck is arranged to simplify sailing and maintenance rather than to maximise crew workload, and the series as a whole is crafted for simplicity and performance. With boards raised the draft is just 1.16 metres, opening shallow anchorages; lowered, the 2.5-metre boards give the kind of grip a voyaging multihull needs offshore.
Propulsion and Energy
At the heart of the design is a 48V primary system powering propulsion, winches, water maker, and more, backed by standard 2 x 15 kW electric drives that produce zero emissions. A 104-square-metre solar array feeds the bus, and at a cruising speed of 7.5 knots the yacht consumes just 16.11 kW. Hydro regeneration at 7 knots returns 1,680 watts, and while sailing at lower speeds around 7 knots the yacht can regenerate approximately 1.6 kW; at higher speeds much more than 2 kW is easily attainable. A discreet backup generator ensures seamless operation during extended motoring, and on anchor days the boat can run on solar alone with up to a 69% power surplus. Whether anchored or at sea, the series is designed to operate sustainably.
Accommodations
Below, the interior is airy and deliberately styled, with satin black finishes, carbon highlights, and grey accents throughout. Floating furniture, soft lighting, and plush EVA half-deck finishes create an ambiance that is both chic and inviting. Headroom in the saloon runs 2.0 to 2.3 metres, matched by the same range in the hulls, so the volume feels generous without the clutter of traditional joinery. The 400-litre fresh water and 400-litre fuel capacities round out the living equation for extended cruising.
The Verdict
The Panther 48 is a coherent expression of the electric cruising multihull: carbon-light, solar-rich, and quietly self-sufficient. Its short-handed layout and regen-focused energy loop make it a plausible ocean-certified home for two, though the reliance on a discreet generator for long motoring stretches is the one conventional concession.
Pros
- Advanced carbon-fibre construction keeps lightship displacement at 8.5 t
- 48V architecture drives propulsion, winches, and water maker from one bus
- 104 m² solar array with up to 69% surplus on anchor days
- Hydro regeneration from 1.6 kW upward under sail
- CE-Category A-Ocean certification
- Short-handed-friendly self-tacking rig and lightweight deck gear
Cons
- Extended motoring still depends on a backup generator
- Shallow 1.16 m board-up draft limits windward bite until boards drop
