Bluewater sailing with autonomy and self-sufficiency on board

Robust and resilient electrical systems

Modern bluewater yachts are increasingly reliant on electricity, not just for comfort, but for essential operations. Likewise, on a 50-foot Pegasus liveaboard cruiser, reliable power is the foundation of autonomy. Without it, you can’t pump fresh water out of the tanks, you don't have a navigation system, you don't have communication, and you don't even have lights inside the boat. It’s crucial to have a robust electric system that can be charged quickly and easily from multiple redundant sources.

As standard, the Pegasus 50 has a big 15 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery bank – a far safer technology than the batteries typically used for electric or hybrid cars and other applications. DC smart converters that take account of voltage drops across longer cables are used for devices that require a 12 V input, including VHF, AIS and navigation equipment.

4+1 redundant charging sources

Redundancy is the foundation of resilience. Five different charging sources are supplied as part of the standard equipment, so you're never reliant on just one.

5 kW shore power charger

There’s a 5 kW shore power charger for use both when the boat’s in port and for charging when the boat’s compact diesel generator is in use.

Main propulsion engine

The main propulsion engine is a third option and can generate a significant amount of power when leaving or entering port. The boat is offered with a choice of two engines, which have either an 80 Ah or 110 Ah 24 V alternator. These are fitted with a smart regulator, giving a real-world output of around 2 kW, independently of the separate alternator for charging the 12 V engine and generator start batteries.

The final two power sources are both eco-friendly options capable of delivering huge amounts of charge without consuming diesel.

Solar panels (764 Wp standard)

An extensive array of solar panels with a 764 Wp power output is also fitted as standard. To optimise yield, these are located on two different sections of the coach roof and connected to separate charge controllers.

“You can't always use every charging source at the same time, but the redundancy means even if one or two fail, you're still self-sufficient.”

Miha Breskvar, Pegasus Yachts co-founder

There’s also an option to install a further 722 Wp of solar in front of the mast and/or another 350 Wp on the fixed cabrio roof, making a total of close to 1,8 kWp – an impressive figure for any monohull.

Hydrogenerator (600 W Watt&Sea) - optional

A 600W Watt&Sea hydrogenerator can be fitted just off the centreline, where it gains protection from the keel, yet is not in turbulent water. The unit produces power when the boat's speed is above five knots, with output increasing exponentially with speed. It therefore charges at 3-400 watts at boat speeds in the 7-9 knot range and can 24/7 while on passage, so is capable of putting a significant amount of power back into the battery bank on a daily basis

Fresh water independence

The 24 V DC water maker consumes only 200 watts and produces 50 litres of fresh water an hour, so it can also be run from the batteries. There’s also generous tankage, including 480 litres of diesel, plus an option for a further 120 litres, and two 370-litre water tanks.

Performance, proven in the real world

Pegasus Yachts aren't just concepts — they perform. Miha points to a 400-mile passage he made from Napoli to San Remo on the prototype Pegasus 50, which had just 500 Wp of solar capacity, along with the same 600 W Watt&Sea hydrogenerator.

• They were at sea for 49 hours,
• with an average speed of 8 knots,
• cooked on electricity two or three times a day,
• used the autopilot throughout,
• ran three refrigerators and so on.

They never used either the engine or generator for charging, yet during the voyage, the battery charge increased marginally from 68% to 69%.

The larger solar array fitted to more recent boats, coupled with the big battery bank, means they can usually remain at anchor for several days before needing to run the generator for charging, provided the air conditioning is not used extensively. This consumes a maximum of just over 1 kW, but has a night mode that runs at around 200 W. While this isn’t specified to cool the interior right down to 16 degrees Celsius in the tropics, it still makes a significant difference to comfort levels and humidity and is feasible to use at anchor without continuous generator use.

Redundancy that builds confidence

While each power source has its limitations depending on sea state, weather, or sailing mode, the combination of five independent charging methods creates a safety net. Even if one or two systems are compromised, the others can compensate. This kind of redundancy isn’t just about backup, it’s about peace of mind and the freedom to sail with confidence.

With intelligent power management, a robust system architecture, and proven performance at sea, Pegasus enable true independence under sail, whether crossing oceans or spending weeks away from shore.