Sail 5.5 hours at 12 knots in this hydrogen electric hybrid dayboat from Dhamma Blue

Spanish boatyard Dhamma Blue has developed a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium battery hybrid propulsion system that gives their flagship DHB-P01 model all of the range and speed many recreational boaters would ever need – without pumping carbon dioxide and noxious fumes into the atmosphere.

The system has four core elements:

• Hydrogen tank holding 350 Litres / 8.4 kilograms at a pressure of 350 bar (5,000 psi)
• Fuel cell converting hydrogen to electricity 
• Battery with storage capacity of 63 kiloWatt hours
• 140 kW (190 hp) electric motor with shaft line transmission

In some hydrogen electric hybrid systems, like those used in the America’s Cup chase boats, the fuel cells and battery are linked up in series: the hydrogen tank feeds → the fuel cells, which convert → the hydrogen to electricity that feeds / charges → the battery, which powers →  the motor.

In the DHB-P01 system the cells and battery are linked to the motor in parallel, meaning either – or both – can power the motor. An ECU (Engine Control Unit) adjusts the input as necessary depending on the speed and load required. In general, the fuel cells are used for slower speeds / longer range and the battery for higher speeds / shorter bursts.

This hydrogen electric hybrid system provides the same benefits as a diesel  electric hybrid: extending the boat’s range beyond the limits the battery’s energy storage can deliver on its own. A hydrogen electric system, though, is a lot cleaner than one using fossil fuels because the only thing emitted is water vapour.

There may be carbon emissions when the hydrogen is produced using a process called steam reformation, but when it is produced using electricity in a process called electrolysis, there are no carbon emissions when that electricity comes from renewable sources like wind and solar.

Read the Plugboats article: The Colours of Hydrogen

That is called ‘green hydrogen’ and it is where Dhamma Blue began. One of the company’s co-founders, Philippe Esposito, is a pioneering leader in Spain’s renewable energy sector who also co-founded one of the country’s largest developers of green hydrogen, H2 Energy. The company builds large solar farms that use the generated electricity to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. Projects are underway not only in Spain but also in Portugal and Mexico.

The other Dhamma Blue founder is Robin Imaz, a marine engineer, naval architect, and professional sailor for 15 years who has won multiple world championship races. He has done everything from design and optimization of racing sailing yachts to structural and cost optimization studies to complete design for both power and sailing yachts.

With the DHB-P01 Imaz and his team have put together a boat that is a delight to be on, with the enjoyment enhanced by the silence of the motor and the lack of noxious fumes. This quick video can give you an idea of how quiet the ride is.

You can also see that this boat can move. With a top speed of 28 kts (52 kph / 32 mph) there is plenty of zip for water sports and, since water sports only require high speeds when the rider is up, the hydrogen fuel cell extends the amount of time (or number of times) that everyone can go out for a spin.

Imaz says “What I am most proud of is that this boat can do a lot of things. Many boats can do one thing very very well, but are not as good for others. But people don’t always want to do the same thing in their boat, to always have the same experience. Sometimes they want to have a long slow sail with family or friends, maybe take a swim in a quiet cove…other times they have fun by going skiing or wakeboarding…and sometimes they may want to go for a longer distance but at a reasonable speed because of time reasons. They can do all of these with the DHB-P01.”

Onboard, the feel is one of openness and high quality reflected in a clean, unpretentious design. The 2.55m (8′ 4″) beam provides plenty of room for a pilot and  passenger seat up front,  two seats behind and day/sunbeds stretching towards a swimming platform at the stern.

Naval Architect and Marine Engineer Carlos Orive, a key member of Imaz’ team, says melding the propulsion system with the deck layout and design led to some boater-friendly solutions. The different weights of the motor, battery, fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, had to be arranged to provide the best balance for both planing and non-planing uses and for ‘refueling’ with hydrogen and electricity. One of the outcomes was the split sunbed idea – one slightly wider than the other – which together conceal the energy storage and generation elements.

“Many boats have a sunbed going across the whole width” he says, “but we introduced the wider hull beam for planing and performance reasons so we thought about a different kind of layout. It means you don’t have to step on the bed, and it makes it easier for people to move around in the boat, go swimming or use the platform to prepare for waterskiing. It’s a very comfortable, open layout.”

When it comes to refueling, the DB PO1 can be charged with standard electric connections and through standard hydrogen systems. There are about 200 hydrogen filling stations in Europe and various tank  delivery programs available. Dhamma Blue is also in conversations with marinas to provide green hydrogen seaside.

The boat is classified as Category C: for coastal cruising and inland waters, and Esposito, Imaz and team see numerous opportunities in both areas, including urban waterways and canal cities where reducing noise and emissions is essential and hydrogen infrastructure can be multi-purposed.

“Dhamma Blue is not just a boat. It’s a manifesto,” said Esposito and Imaz at the 2025 Venice Boat Show. “Our goal is to lead real decarbonization in the nautical world, demonstrating that marine mobility can be scalable, efficient, and environmentally respectful.”

Dhamma Blue website

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