Brands & Models / Sunreef / 55 ULTIMA
Sunreef 55 ULTIMA Review: Hybrid Performance Without Compromise
A 54-foot power catamaran with 36-knot speed, electric-assist cruise, and a fixed foil for stability. Built for owners who want range, silence, and the freedom to run their own boat.
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length | 54 ft 6 in | |
| Beam | 18 ft 4–6 in, expanding to about 25 ft with fold-down bulwark platforms. | |
| Draft | 2 ft 11 in | |
| Displacement (Unladen) | Not formally published; approx. 85 GT; slender twin-hull with central fixed foil and carbon deck to minimize drag and weight. | |
| Engines | Standard thermic: 2 × Volvo Penta D8 IPS800, 600 hp each (IPS pod drives), ~36 knots; Optional thermic: twin 600–800 hp engines as part of the ULTIMA family offer up to 40–45 knots potential; Hybrid: 2 × 350 kW electric motors + 2 × 600 hp engines, 220 kWh battery bank (625 V) plus rooftop solar; supports electric-only at low speed and hybrid assist at cruise. | |
| Fuel Capacity | 1,500 L (396 US gal) | |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79 US gal) | |
| Cabins / Heads | Layouts vary; 2 cabins (4 berths) + crew for 2; 3-cabin layouts for up to 6–8 guests plus optional crew cabin; all guest cabins have en-suite heads. | |
| Max Speed | ≈36 knots with twin IPS800s; ULTIMA hybrid/thermic range 40–45 knots. | |
| Cruise Speed | 25–30 knots (thermic IPS); hybrid mode adds electric-only low-speed running and hybrid assist at cruise for reduced consumption. |
Source: Spec & Photo Credit courtesy of Sunreef Yachts.
“
The 55 ULTIMA is Sunreef’s answer to the question no one was asking five years ago: can you build a performance catamaran that runs on electrons and still hits 36 knots. The hybrid system works. The fixed foil is not a gimmick. The IPS drives are proven. The build quality is consistent with what I’ve seen from Sunreef’s Polish yard. The solar integration is clean, and the battery bank is sized correctly for real-world use. This is not a prototype. It’s a production boat with a clear engineering thesis.
This boat is for the owner who runs 100-plus hours a year, who values efficiency over ego, and who wants the option to cruise in silence without sacrificing speed. It is not for the buyer who wants a traditional sportfish layout or a flybridge. It is not for the owner who expects a full-time crew. The 55 ULTIMA is an owner-operator boat with hybrid capability, and it rewards the buyer who understands what that means.
The resale market for hybrid cats is still developing. Sunreef has brand recognition in the sailing cat world, but the ULTIMA line is new to the power market. Maintenance costs will be higher than a traditional twin-diesel setup because you’re servicing both electric and thermic systems. The buyer pool will be smaller. If you’re buying this boat, buy it because it fits your cruising profile, not because you expect it to hold value like a Pershing or an Azimut. The 55 ULTIMA is a bet on where the market is going, not where it is today.”
Our Take
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Video / Photo Credit: Sunreef