Worlds largest solar boat (bravo Immo)

[JosephT]

Most have downplayed the feasibility of a solar cruiser. This design looks pretty impressive. Good job Immo!



http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tec...at.wsvn?hpt=C2

[kerosene]

impressive - and I guess early dumb prototypes are important in new fields. Sensible - heck no.
140hp engine can bf fed with a loooot of diesel for the price of 500sq meters of panles + battery bank required.

Or such a novel idea as sails provides carbon free propulsion too.

Maintenance free - I believe it once the boat has sailed maintenance free for 5 years.

[KDB]

Originally Posted by kerosene

early dumb prototypes

One word: Kittyhawk.
I got this theory that the first time some caveman straddled a log and kicked himself away from shore his tribesmen and the river dolphins both laughted at him.
About as bad as that solar plane that circled the globe. Equally useless, equally epic.

Trade some battery space for some cabin space and I still want one.

Diesel back-up of course.

[Boston]

its going to be difficult getting the size down to something reasonable until the battery technology gets a bit better

I think there is one hybrid boat being offered but its 500k of slow an heavy

I'm really looking forward to them making some improvements in the technology though and these first steps are a necessity if thats ever going to happen

[kerosene]

[quote=KDB;423064]

Originally Posted by kerosene

early dumb prototypes QUOTE]

One word: Kittyhawk.

Not really 1st its Kitty Hawk... 2 words.

But secondly this boat doesn't really prove anything quite as revolutionary. Solar boats have already crossed oceans too so its not even the 1st.

The reason why I don't like this kind of efforts (despite being fan of new engineering, environment and new things) is false claims, exaggerated and misinforming presentation of the facts.

Its cool and all but pretty pointless for anything else than showing it can be done. So the inventors claim that we could do this if we wanted is only true if what we wanted to do is "cross oceans in solar boats".
If we wanted to use a boat as current boast are being used AND be solar powered it would be impossible.

[KDB]

No I get it, this thing was over-hyped when it happened. More show-biz than substance.
The original NY Times report even said it was the 1st time in history someone had circled the globe with renewable resources. Then someone in the comments section pointed out that renewable resources was the only way the globe was circled for hundreds of years. They did a quick edit.
Still nice to see solar getting press.