For sailors who want to explore the most remote and challenging regions of the world, having a reliable onboard energy system is crucial. This was precisely the idea behind the construction of the Bestevaer 54, the sailing yacht owned by Dagomar Deelstra. This 17-meter-long aluminum sailboat is designed to operate fully autonomously and safely—even in the most extreme conditions. Dagomar shares his experience with the WhisperPower system, which plays a vital role in the boat's energy supply.
A Sailing Yacht Built for Adventure
The Bestevaer 54 was specifically designed to sail anywhere in the world without external assistance. This required a robust and well-thought-out design: from watertight bulkheads that keep the boat afloat in case of a leak to standpipes that prevent seacocks from freezing. The keel is retractable, allowing the yacht to anchor safely in areas where icebergs reach the seabed. Additionally, the boat is fully insulated for travel in cold climates, and all systems are redundantly configured—if one fails, another automatically takes over. Everything on this boat is built to provide maximum autonomy and safety without compromising performance. Thanks to the smart use of materials and weight-saving techniques, the yacht is also very fast, enabling efficient long-distance travel.
The Energy Needs: Powerful and Redundant
For a yacht that operates entirely off-grid, reliable and efficient energy management is an absolute necessity. The challenge, however, is to strike a balance between energy security, weight savings, and simplicity. The system needed to be clear, easy to maintain, and redundant—without unnecessary complexity.
The onboard energy solution consists of:
Energy Generation:
- WhisperPower system: Battery chargers, inverters, lithium batteries, BMS, control panel, and an inverter for the solar panels.
- Watt&Sea hydrogenerator with a dedicated charge controller.
- Yanmar 24V alternator for additional backup.
Energy Consumption:
- WhisperPower: Main switches and modular power distribution for heavy consumers (e.g., anchor winch, winches, and bow thruster).
- CZone: Power distribution for smaller consumers.
To minimize the risk of failures, the different power sources are separated from the consumers. The WhisperPower system is isolated from the rest of the electrical setup, the hydrogenerator has its own charge controller, and the engine circuit is completely independent—including battery charging. This ensures maximum reliability and prevents system conflicts.
Why WhisperPower?
The choice for WhisperPower was no coincidence: the name stands for quality and reliability. However, what truly made the difference was the service and support—from design to installation and commissioning.
Every yacht and project comes with its own challenges. WhisperPower has demonstrated that they can deliver custom solutions and properly support projects with unique requirements. This is not a standard solution but a system tailored to the boat's specific needs and its cruising areas.
Dagomar Deelstra
One example of this customization is the decision to use separate components instead of a combined charger/inverter, which enhances reliability. Additionally, a custom power distribution unit was developed, housing all heavy components together. This not only saves space and weight but, more importantly, increases the system’s reliability.
Easy Installation and Use
While designing and preparing the installation required careful planning, the WhisperPower system proved to be very easy to install in practice.
“I carried out the entire installation myself, and everything fit precisely within the limited space available on a sailing yacht. The manuals are complete and clear. Even without prior experience with such an installation, it was very manageable.” – Dagomar Deelstra
The result is a perfectly integrated energy system that operates efficiently and is user-friendly.
Real-World Performance
The performance of the WhisperPower system has fully met—and even exceeded—expectations. The yacht has already covered 5,000 nautical miles, including harsh conditions above the Arctic Circle.
“The system has never failed, stuttered, or caused any issues. Even in the most demanding conditions, everything continues to function flawlessly.” – Dagomar Deelstra
The combination of energy efficiency and reliability has enabled the yacht to operate entirely autonomously. Thanks to the ability to remotely monitor and control the system, managing energy usage is simple—an important advantage, especially for those who live partially on their boat.
Freedom at Sea
The WhisperPower system has not only provided reliability but also increased freedom and comfort while sailing:
- Full autonomy: No worries about system performance, even in the most remote locations.
- Silence on board: No disturbing noises, making life on the yacht more enjoyable.
- Easy management: Remote monitoring and control allow for optimal energy consumption.
- Home-like comfort: Living on board just like at home, without compromising convenience or luxury.
I would unreservedly recommend WhisperPower to other sailors. It may not be the cheapest system on the market, but you certainly get quality and reliability in return. Especially for complex projects and situations where systems must work together, WhisperPower provides the perfect solution. Not just because of the high-quality components, but above all because of the people behind the brand who ensure every project is a success.
Dagomar Deelstra