Launch of the First Phoenix-Built X5E Plus Hybrid Sailing Catamaran
Phoenix Marine Manufacturing launches its first X5E Plus hybrid sailing catamaran
In a major milestone for South African boatbuilding, Phoenix Marine Manufacturing has launched its first X5E Plus hybrid sailing catamaran at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. The launch took place on a picture-perfect spring morning, marking the debut of the most advanced 50-foot hybrid vessel yet produced by the yard.
Built by Phoenix Marine Manufacturing for Xquisite Yachts, the X5E Plus represents the next evolution of smart, efficient, and future-ready cruising. Its hybrid power system and integrated smart-technology approach reflect Phoenix Marine’s ethos of building smarter, safer sailing vessels driven by innovation and defined by quality.
A milestone launch in the heart of Cape Town
Under flawless Cape Town skies, the catamaran slipped into the water with the Phoenix team present to celebrate months of craftsmanship, engineering, precision laminating, cabinetry, and systems work. The vessel drew instant attention from sailors and visitors in the marina, showcasing both its elegance and technical sophistication.
That same afternoon, in collaboration with Sparcraft Masts, Furlcraft, and North Sails Cape Town, the Phoenix team stepped the rig — allowing commissioning to begin immediately.
An advanced hybrid system engineered for performance
At the core of the X5E Plus is a high-efficiency, integrated hybrid drive system consisting of:
- Yanmar 4JH Turbo 80 hp (60 kW) diesel engine
- Bosch common-rail injection
- Integrel 25 kW parallel hybrid generation system
- SD60 reduction saildrive
- Fully integrated B&G / Navico SailingSmarter smart-systems package
This combination delivers:
- Silent electric propulsion
- Efficient underway regeneration
- Balanced energy distribution
- Lower fuel burn and reduced emissions
- Dependable long-range cruising capability
Sea trials in Table Bay — one of the world’s true proving grounds — will validate hybrid performance, rig balance, and handling in demanding conditions.
Commissioning: where precision meets discipline
Commissioning at Phoenix Marine Manufacturing is a structured, detailed and essential stage of every build. For the X5E Plus this includes:
- Full hybrid system testing
- Electrical and electronic integration checks
- Rig and sail trials with North Sails
- Vibration, acoustic, and flex checks (notably minimal on Phoenix builds)
- Solar performance and energy-flow validation
- Mechanical, steering and plumbing checks
- Navigation and instrumentation calibration
This meticulous approach is one of the reasons Phoenix-built catamarans are known for exceptional stiffness, quiet sailing, and effortless handling — with none of the creaking, flexing or structural noise common in lower-grade builds.
A vessel with a unique personal identity
A long-standing Phoenix Marine tradition continues:
Each vessel receives a plaque engraved with the names of every person who helped build her, giving every yacht a unique identity and personal DNA. Owners also receive a photograph of the full build team with their completed yacht — a tradition honoured across all 34 Phoenix-built catamarans.
Now berthed at the V&A Waterfront, the X5E Plus will undergo further testing, filming, and refinement as commissioning continues. More updates, performance footage, and the full launch video will be shared across Phoenix Marine’s channels in the coming days.
