Circumnavigation completed on solar power

[deckofficer]

Well, it is a multi.
Solar-powered catamaran completes record-setting circumnavigation

[44'cruisingcat]

Wind is created by the sun isn't it?

[deckofficer]

Yep, and hydro power is also solar power. The old sun is just one big honking energy source.

[David M]

I wonder what it has for a cruising speed in daylight and at night? How many tons of carbon did it take to produce, including carbon used to mine the metals and other elements onboard. Not to be a cynic but these questions need to be answered if they ever want to give it a balanced environmental or practical perspective.

[deckofficer]

At a displacement of 95T, and 93.5KW/hr of panels, a lot David. On the up side, nobody knows how long solar panels last, but my guess is multi-generational. Buy panels now for your great grandkids.

[David M]

Those look like controllable pitch surface piercing propellers, like what Arneson invented. What do you think?

[Astral Blue]

Originally Posted by David M

I wonder what it has for a cruising speed in daylight and at night? How many tons of carbon did it take to produce, including carbon used to mine the metals and other elements onboard. Not to be a cynic but these questions need to be answered if they ever want to give it an environmental emphasis.

Converting sunlight into electricity definitely has its place, but its use for transportation is not one of them. Where we presently stand, solar power is the most expensive and energy intensive way to get from Point A to Point B for free. The building of that cat and using it for circumnavigation is tantamount to building and operating a ski resort in the middle of the hot dessert. Yes, it is possible. But common sense will be the judge of whether it is a good idea.

There is always a cheering audience for those who misapply science.

[deckofficer]

They do to me also. Surface piercing I understand, but with the broad rpm range of full torque for an electric motor, the controllable pitch has me wondering.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Astral Blue

Converting sunlight into electricity definitely has its place, but its use for transportation is not one of them. Where we presently stand, solar power is the most expensive and energy intensive way to get from Point A to Point B for free. The building of that cat and using it for circumnavigation is tantamount to building and operating a ski resort in the middle of the hot dessert. Yes, it is possible. But common sense will be the judge of whether it is a good idea.

There is always a cheering audience for those who misapply science.

Dubai already has a successful ski resort. Maintenance and the repair of sails over the years is more expensive in the long run than the new China market price of $1.13 per watt for solar panels.

[David M]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

At a displacement of 95T, and 93.5KW/hr of panels, a lot David.

Yes, the equivalent of 125.4 horsepower. Which gives it a power to weight ratio of 1.35 horsepower per ton, assuming no heat or frictional losses in the conversion of electrical power to mechanical power. Or the same thing as putting a 10 horsepower outboard on a 7.4 ton boat.

[deckofficer]

I never said it was fast, but it is a minimum wetted surface hull, so it is efficient. I subscribe to the equation of, if you have a $7,500 sail inventory, you better be putting $750 a year aside for repair/replacement. 20KW/hr worth of panels would run about $20K, and that is the end of your expenditures. Who knows, marinas in the future might deduct from your slip fee what you put back in the grid.

[Astral Blue]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Dubai already has a successful ski resort. Maintenance and the repair of sails over the years is more expensive in the long run than the new China market price of $1.13 per watt for solar panels.

I'd be curious as to how the cost of this boat's drive and propulsion system compares to that of a sailing cat. Now that's a bargain!

I'm pretty sure they paid more than $1.13 per watt.

[deckofficer]

They paid 10 mil for the complete boat. We, as consumers don't have to pay more than $1.13 per watt.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

..... We, as consumers don't have to pay more than $1.13 per watt.

But my sails move the boat after sunset ...

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by DotDun

But my sails move the boat after sunset ...

As will batteries.