Sustainability

I am beginning my research and design on my thesis project. The overall topic of this project will be bringing the marine industry into an energy conscious world. Currently, I am looking at the efficiency of multi-hulls, particulary catamarans. Also, the use of Photovoltaic Cells, Rigid Sails (wing sails), and alternative fuel sources.

I am currently looking into a 55'-60' sized vessel

If any of you have any exciting information on newer technologies for hull construction, propulsion, energy use, ect. please respond.

 

Solar Sailor

I found something that may be to your liking:

www.solarsailor.com

 

Thanks for the awsome web site! It's exactly what I am interested in. Know of any more?

 

Here are just a few I find interesting Many more out there ...you'll find some links on these sites.
\Glacier Bay is doing some good research on electric power. Not a lot on their site yet though.
http://www.solomontechnologies.com/
http://www.ossapowerlite.com/
http://www.solaraenergy.com/
http://foxxaero.homestead.com/indrad_007.html

Good luck

 

Thanks,

I appreciate all the help... I heard of what Glacier Bay is doing. I'm planning on taking a trip to Miami boat show to see if I can dig up any thing else. Whats your guy's view on this whole sustainability issue?

 

If you can take only one trip per year I would wait and attend Ibex in the fall...much better info. At Ibex you are talking to designers and engineers rather than just salesmen.

 

Thanks for the tip....

Yes I have been to Ibex before and I do agree that is better. I do have leads that there is going to be a design tent at the Miami show this year. So I'm just going to peek around to see if I can get my nose into anything. I'll fill you in if there is anything good.

Plus, I have some good friends in the marine industry which I am catching up with there. Trying to get some contract or full time work for this summer. Know of any?

 

In terms of efficiency under power, trimarans should work better. The two main advantages of the cat are (a) loading more cargo on deck, and (b) lots of righting moment under sail. The tri's single main hull will usually be faster for motoring and light wind, whereas the cat will do well whenever the windward hull can be pulled at least partially out of the water.

 

Thanks for the reply Skippy!

So let me get this right... If I should determine to go with primarily power, (fuel cell, hybrid, ect..) then a Trimaran is the way to go. Howerever, if I should decide to go sail power, with some assisted alternative fuel souce then I should go catamaran.

Did I hear you right on this issue?

What's your view on alternative fuels in the boating indstry? (hybrids, fuel cell , ect.) I know that the infrastructure is not in place yet, but let's say if it was.

 

That's what I would do. Even under sail, the tri is often prefered for cruising. Another issue that just occured to me is, there's more surface area on a tri that you might be interested in putting solar cells on?

 

I have thought of the use of solar cells. Check out www.solarsailor.com

I have been struggling to find if there are any PV Cells that are flexible enough to wrap around the deck of a boat. The guys at BP Solar have not been returning my messages. Also an idea that I had was to (if it is available) to use PV Cells to let natural light into the interior of a boat. Do you know of any solar cells that are transparent enough for this kind of application?

I have been looking at alot of architectural books and found some that can be used for transparency, but it looks as if they are mainly vary rigis and wouldnt be able to form around a deck.