Pioneer Yachts will make a very quiet entry into the marine industry next month. The new German shipyard, founded by engineer and entrepreneur Mike Frank earlier this year, has announced that the first unit of its new solar-electric catamaran is entering the final stages of construction. The inaugural PY60, christened Pioneer One, is set to hit the water in July, with a full debut scheduled for the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Frank established Pioneer with the goal of creating a reliable solar-electric yacht for continuous use at sea. Rather than convert a traditional motor yacht to electric propulsion, the team developed a unique catamaran centered on efficiency, autonomy, and simplicity. The practical platform was designed around energy generation and storage, with the propulsion system a clear focus, rather than an afterthought. Designed by two Italian firms—Cossutti & Ganz for the exterior, Micheletti + Partners for the interior—but engineered and built in Germany, the..
