SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Friday morning the San Francisco Yacht Club will host the public debut of the first yacht line sporting a hybrid engine. European yacht builder Frauscher has teamed up with the California-based boat dealer Chris-Craft, to launch the new Frauscher Hybrid line of luxury boats.

Fraushcer is equipping its entire line of yachts with the breakthrough propulsion system that combines a diesel and an electrical engine. The electrical engine can be used at lower speeds in areas, including the Bay, where there are more people and other boats. It provides noiseless power on inland waterways and nature reserves, so animals, birds and fish are not disturbed by engine noise or emissions. The dual-power system also eliminates the need for a second generator to operate other onboard equipment, benefitting boaters, as well as the environment.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Consul General of Austria will attend the demonstration of the new line of yachts.