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.