Wecboat : Wave Energy Converter Boat

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by WecBoat, Jul 4, 2014.

  1. WecBoat
    Joined: Jul 2014
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    Yes, but I don't need all the power of the wave. I need, for example, around 10 hp or 8000 watt to push a 27 feet boat.

    My test boat is a wibo Van de Stadt. Steel hull. 2000 kg
     
  2. TANSL
    Joined: Sep 2011
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    TANSL Senior Member

    I can not think of any reason not to fully utilize the energy of a wave, if that does not involve expensive system.
    I think you need to mature a little more your system and, please, show us something that allows us to get an idea of ​​how it is.
     
  3. bpw
    Joined: May 2012
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    bpw Senior Member

    So you would like to get 10hp of propulsion from wave power, do you have a plan for doing this or just think it would be nice.

    I think it would be nice to have a pod of trained dolphins to push my boat around, alas execution has been more difficult than predicted.
     
  4. UNCIVILIZED
    Joined: Jun 2014
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    UNCIVILIZED DIY Junkyard MadScientist

    Just a 'think', but the more stuff one has hanging off of a vessel - be it sailboat rigging, or commercial fishing equipment etc, the drag goes up geometrically with windspeed.
    Are such things being figured into this idea? As at what level does the power source from this max out in relation to drag?
    I only ask, as with all things experimental, there's of course risk, but drag vs. available power needs to be factored in terms of safety.

    Ditto on the structural loads imposed on new types of marine structures. Such as the Team Phillips Catamaran put together for "The Race". Which had all of it's controls & accomodations in a pod suspended "highly enough" above the two hulls. Said vessel had a rig in each hull, & the pod was like 5m up. Which was severely damaged by waves during some of her sea trials. Enough to have the crew plucked off by a merchant vessel.
     
  5. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    It is hard to beat fabric sails for economy, simplicity and efficiency. Waves are usually created by wind, so sails can be used. At times there can be no wind and waves, but it is rare and doesn't last long.
     
  6. UNCIVILIZED
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    UNCIVILIZED DIY Junkyard MadScientist

    Sorry I suppose posting when I'm tired ain't the wisest.

    Anyway, first, if you can get something even remotely akin to that to work, I think it'd be VERY cool. I've always loved the idea that Dolphins can so manage the waterflow over all areas of their skin, so as to have the microscopic drag which lets them travel at such high speeds with low(ish) power output.
    It'd be great if we could learn from our liquid kin. Be they mid-sized, or large, as you propose.

    2ndly what I was trying to say was that I'd hate to see a good idea flop (read get killed by the shortsighted budgetoligist pencil pushers) as not enough R&D went into it. Specifically that such a system wasn't able to produce enough power to ensure a craft's safety, via propulsion vs. drag, in say 40kts & a wind against tide sea state or similar.

    I ALWAYS Love the projects where they create a contest to do X energy or materials wise, for a bunch of High School, & or College kids. And turn them loose. They come up with a LOT of the best ideas ever, which'll never see production.
    Heck, half of the time it's because their ideas are "too good".
     
  7. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Uncivilized: us pencil pushers have decades of experience at sea, designing and building boats. Can you name highschool projects that are "best" compared to state of the art technology? Sounds like New Age "think good thoughts and your car will start" kind of baloney. It is possible to emulate dolphin skin with an array of computer and actuators. However, dolphins are only efficient submerged. Also, they don't use low density energy sources but they hunt prey to sustain their high speed.
     
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  8. WecBoat
    Joined: Jul 2014
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    Just for the fun of it:
    http://tech.ca.msn.com/photogallery.aspx?cp-documentid=27016469

    These winners of the Canada-wide Science Fair found new solutions to old problems — and they’re still in high school.
     
  9. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    Indeed, but today sails are not use for transportation or fishing. They are reasons for that.
     
  10. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    Thanks, I am just learning.
     
  11. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    I have plans and a test boat. But, actually, I am not working on fins or foils.
    I am working on converting the power of the wave into electricity to be use for propelling the boat at his hull speed.
     
  12. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    I need only the energy to propel the boat at his own speed because only this little 8000 watt, I think, will be a terrific advance.

    I will describe it later on this forum.

    Thanks
     
  13. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    I will explain my idea on this thread. I will bring sketches too.
    Thanks for your interest.
     
  14. rwatson
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    rwatson Senior Member

    Well, actually there are. Thousands of native vessels throughout the Pacific and Indian oceans rely on sail power for daily fishing trips, and some dhows on the Nile trade up and down on sail power alone.

    There are dozens of cruising sailboats going around the world (transport) without engines at all - and hundreds that only use engines at the beginning and end of their journeys.
     

  15. WecBoat
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    WecBoat Navy Blue

    You are wright, I should have say that in develop country they don't do it (usually) anymore.
     
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