Power & Motoryacht – June 2017

68 POWER & MOTORYACHT / JUNE 2017 WWW.PMYMAG.COM

Technology seems to have three effects on

the user. First, it appeals to us as the next big

thing and may get us to try something new.

Much of what we have at our disposal now

wouldn’t exist without early adopters and

influencers offering their support. Think of

your first boating experience (if you can re-

member it), when a friend or parent intro-

duced you to the sport. This was something

new, and you immediately started building

your knowledge and adding to it.

Second, technology exerts its influence on

the user, bending our will to its requirements

until it becomes ingrained. Think of visit-

ing the fuel dock or switching on batteries,

or conducting a radio check before heading

out. That diesel in the engine room, or on-

board electrical system, or fixed-mount VHF

changed behaviors—though they’re not new

technologies, they were once new to you.

The third, and perhaps most important

thing, is that users innovate their thinking

under the influence of technology, and the

result is a win win win. The user gets more

from his purchase and experience, the tech-

nology functions the way it was intended,

and, down the road, the company that is ap-

plying and selling the technology gets a new

evangelist on the docks and a good result.

The Greenline 36 I sea-trialed was not

hybrid-powered, instead relying on a single

370-horsepower diesel. Since the philoso-

phy of the company speaks to efficiency, it

makes perfect sense: Diesel is popular not

just because Rudolf was a great guy. It’s still

the most efficient way to power a recreation-

al boat over any distance. Rather than let the

hybrid propulsion steal the show (more on

that in a minute), this 36 shows off other

kinds of efficiency.

This diesel-only Greenline, gave us an

easygoing ride with a 17-knot cruise speed

at 3100 rpm. This soft-riding hull (they call

it “superdisplacement” because it works

well at any speed, but also planes at 14

knots) maneuvered well in gentle condi-

tions. To be frank, she’s not a speedster, but

she felt stable on our day of light winds and

kindly seas, and she was responsive to both

wheel and throttle.

“She runs like she’s on rails,” says Dennis

Rhodes of Atlantic Yacht & Ship, a U.S. deal-

er for Greenline Hybrid. “She’s a nimble little

boat. She doesn’t lean outboard or inboard,

probably due to her stabilizer fin on center-

line.” I certainly liked the way she ran during

my time at the helm.

I also really like the huge, slide-open win-

dow by the helm station, which becomes a

step-through door that can simplify line-han-

dling for single-handers—smart. If this were

my boat, that window/door would be open

any time I’m on board. In contrast there was

a piece of overbearing wood trim right above

it that worried me—I thought I might bump

my head when standing at the helm. I’m sure

I’d get used to it eventually if it were my boat.

Greenline Hybrid uses technology and

power management to give the boater and

guests the comforts of home on board.

The layout on the 36 has two staterooms

and a single head with one door for private

access from the master forward, and one

door for day-head or shared use. The master

has a 6-foot-1½-inch overhead at the stand-

ing area at the foot of the berth. Or should

I say berths, since the double divides and

scissors outboard to create separate berths.

There’s hanging-locker space to both port

and starboard, and handy stowage in light

wood cabinetry all around. Greenline has

continued to use numerous windows in the

design, with narrow rectangles in the hull-

sides and high windows around the trunk

on the foredeck—a treatment that allows

plenty of light in while heading off the cave-

like quality. That natural light speaks to ef-

ficiency: I wouldn’t need to turn on electric

lights in the daytime. The second cabin has

6 feet 1 inch of headroom in the entryway,

but the inboard berth is a crawl-in affair with

a low overhead. It seems to be a worthwhile

sacrifice for the level deck above, from the

companionway to the transom.

And that main-deck interior does a lot with

the space, from the one-step-up-elevated

helm to starboard and dinette to port that

provide excellent views from comfy seats,

to a galley with lots of stowage and counter

space to port opposite a console with a popup

flatscreen. Beneath the sole of the galley is the

engine hatch, which opened wide for fairly

easy access to service points. And there in

the starboard aft corner, a full-size household

fridge on a 36-footer (Gorenje brand on our

boat). While it affects panoramic sightlines,

At the helm, a sliding door to the side deck helps

overcome the unfortunate compass placement.