Worlds largest solar boat (bravo Immo)

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



http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/11/28/dnt.largest.solar.boat.wsvn?hpt=C2

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.