The trials marked the first time the raised-pilothouse motor yacht had operated on the water as a complete yacht. The Pearl 100 Hybrid is the yard's largest model to date and its first yacht to feature hybrid propulsion.
Pearl 100 Hybrid Begins Testing on the Water
The first Pearl 100 Hybrid has now left the shipyard and entered its next phase of testing, with data gathered during the initial trials set to inform preparations ahead of its public debut in Florida.
Power comes from an e-Motion hybrid system pairing twin MAN V12 2,000hp diesel engines with two radial-flux permanent-magnet electric motors. The setup supports several operating modes, including silent electric cruising, while a dedicated Power Pack can supply onboard hotel loads without relying on the generators.
Pearl previously confirmed the sale of the first hull in November 2025 to an existing Pearl Yacht owner. At the time, the model represented an important expansion of the yard's range, taking the British builder to 100ft for the first time and introducing hybrid propulsion as standard on its new flagship.
Pearl Yachts founder and managing director Iain Smallridge said the sea trials provided the first opportunity for the yard to assess the complete yacht on the water, bringing together its design, engineering and production work before the final preparations for Fort Lauderdale.
Inside the Pearl 100 Hybrid's Kelly Hoppen Interior
The first Pearl 100 Hybrid features Kelly Hoppen's new Monochrome interior scheme, continuing the designer's long-standing collaboration with Pearl Yachts.
The scheme joins the existing Indulgence, Luxury and Modern options available across the Pearl range, giving owners four distinct interior directions to choose from.
Two Principal Suites and Five-Cabin Accommodation
Accommodation aboard the Pearl 100 Hybrid is arranged across five en-suite guest cabins, including two principal suites. A full-beam owner's suite sits forward on the main deck and connects directly to a private foredeck terrace. A second full-beam suite is located amidships on the lower deck, alongside a forward double cabin and two twin cabins. Separate crew quarters provide accommodation for four or five crew members.
Dixon Yacht Design is responsible for the motor yacht's exterior styling, naval architecture and layout. Among the defining exterior features are fold-out sections around the aft cockpit, increasing the usable space close to the water, and a passage connecting the extended flybridge directly with the foredeck.
Planning your FLIBS visit? Explore our dedicated Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) 2026 attending yachts page to discover every yacht attending, organized by debut status and YachtBuyer reviews.
Pearl Yachts Builds Momentum Across Its Updated Range
The Pearl 100's sea-trial milestone follows a busy period for Pearl Yachts as the builder develops its range between 60ft and 100ft. Earlier this month, the Pearl 73 secured the Best Layout award at the World Yachts Trophies 2026 shortly after its Cannes world debut.
We stepped aboard the Pearl 73 at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, where it earned an impressive YB 5-Star rating. Watch our full video review below to see what makes this award-winning yacht stand out.
The model also earned a YB 5-Star score following YachtBuyer's review and entered the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame, adding to a strong opening period for Pearl's latest model. Its four-cabin lower-deck arrangement includes two principal suites, while the full-length flybridge and separate foredeck lounge increase the amount of guest space available within its 21.99m length.
The Pearl 100 Hybrid now moves into final preparations ahead of its official world debut at the 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, running from 28 October to 1 November 2026, where Pearl Yachts is expected to release further details on its new flagship.
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