Mekong River Catamaran Using 5,000 Plastic Bottles

[Isara]

Yesterday, the plastic bottle catamaran was launched. Our volunteers did an amazing job getting the boat into the water. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible.

Here are some pics!


Each section of the boat required a specific amount of bottles (liters).


Making some last minute adjustments before the launch.


1, 2, 3!!!


No turning back now.


So far so good.


It floats!

Now we'll start building the cabin, add another 2,000 bottles, and install the engine.

[Isara]

Just finished the video about the trash campaign. It shows a lot of time-lapse of the boat's construction. Hope you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WdqCRDCsU0

[hummingway]

[Isara]

Thought I'd post another update since we recently started working on the boat again, after a 4-5 month break. Still can't believe the boat is floating after 6 months.

Before the break we took her for a short test drive. The engine and steering system did not work out very well and we had to be towed back.





After the failed tests we took a break for a few months to focus on other projects. This month we moved the boat closer to town, where it's promoting the clean-up campaign and visitors can look, ask questions, and take photos of it. We also started putting on the finishing touches with hopes to set sail in mid-June for our journey down the Mekong River.



Last week, an electrician installed our 120w solar panel, 300w inverter, and a small battery bank. Nice to have power on the boat. This week we'll be installing an engine that was donated to the project and we'll be putting in a new arch cover.

For those who suggested covering the bottles under the waterline.... You were 100% correct. The drag and current were too much for our engine. We will be wrapping the bottom of the boat this weekend. Would have been much easier if I had listen to you before placing the boat in the water.

[beiland]

Interesting project Isara. I just ran across this discussion this morning.

I added it to a forum discussion I had brought up over here about a Thai or Bali style floating cottage, and another 'rafting trip down a Thai river:
Bali or Thai style houseboat - Page 2 - YachtForums.Com

[Isara]

Hey CF. Just wanted to let you all know that our plastic bottle catamaran was completed and is now half-way through it's campaign down the Mekong River.



You can track the boat's progress on our boat's website.

Tracking » TalkTrash.org

k

[Event_Horizon]

what are you using to power it?

[adamskiinasia]

Not exactly sure what you mean by "test" the hull before you finish it. Are you unsure it will float ? Seems it will and be especially buoyant. How much stuff do you plan to put in it re: fittings etc. If very little then why test it ? The last thing I'd do is try testing a hull in the water. If it worked then you'd have to wrestle it back out again, if it didnt ..... glub glub. Your displacement will be next to nil with no fittings. Powering with an outboard and rudder on each pontoon ?