Ecolution

A new interesting concep:
(IBI magazine)

"An innovative steel-hulled sailboat being designed to generate sustainable energy and maximise automation to give autonomy at sea will have auxiliary power and heating from a pair of Yanmar diesels.

The 25m (82ft), 60-tonne craft is to be called Ecolution and will be built by new venture Ecolutions in the Dutch city of Groningen. It is being led by former Challenger space shuttle astronaut Wubbo Ockels, now a professor at Delft Technology University, and involves shipyards No Limit Ships and Marvis."

More at:
http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070030112514ibinews.html
http://www.zonnestroomproducenten.nl/docs_pdfs/Project ECOLUTION Sunny.pdf

 

Similar rigs to some model yachts. Balanced boom fore and aft of the mast can deliver a self steering effect as the centre of effort is balanced between the head and main sail as the boom swivels. I like it. Reminds me of my windsurfin' days. Hook in and hang on for dear life!

Pericles

 

the concept is not new-this is an hybrid vessel

the idea of having a recharging possibility in the motoring hours, + solar panels, wind energy and etc is long used.
why not using electric motors instead of the diesel ones?

 

solarplanet.com

 

Guillermo

hello old buddy long time no talk (?if this is talking?). Anyway to get to the point, this seems a reasonable idea even if they are still using diesel for some of the functions! Only thing that worries me is, do you remember that long running forum on the ideal cruising boat and the fact that everybody decided that 40 to 50 feet was the ideal length for the average 'family' sailboat? Whilst this looks good it's a bit big for the average - and it would appear that there is some desire to go commercial somewhat! Will they make it? I don't think so? Should be reading these forums before starting! OK a test bed might be slightly bigger but there again if you want to sell it you have supply something that suits both the pocket and a handleable size! Interested in your views (and knowing you old friend I bet you've got some - I feel an argument coming on - good!)

 

Hi, Mike! Nice "talking" to you again. I've been focused lately in stability discussions, and forgot about other matters and friends. Time to correct that.

Yes, the boat is a bit big for the average sailor, but the concept is probably scalable down within certain limits. I'm curious about this development and trying to gather more info on it. The idea is not new, but I think it deserves a closer look.

Something else:
http://www.enersys-emea.com/news/news_detail.asp?lang=e&issue=08.12.2006&news_code=4

Not much info the net yet. Somebody knows more?

Cheers.

 

Guillermo

I'm inclined to agree with you, it certainly has prospects, but it certainly needs 'scaling' a bit - I'm sure it can be done as long as the initial 'legwork' proves compatable. Let's see shall we?

 

Guillermo, thanks for the interesting post. This concept is very close to the concept yacht that I am perusing, for some of the same reasons. I certainly like the idea of sustainable energy, and in my own design have tentatively decided on a large battery bank coupled with a regenerative source such as that from Solomon Technologies. (we will see how the company fairs over the next few years)

http://www.solomontechnologies.com/m_commercial.htm

It makes since when you consider you have to put ballast in the bottom of the boat anyway, As Dr. Ockels has noted:

In response to the Walruses observation as far as the size, I think that this statement sums up why 77’

I think there is a different mindset for those who are looking at making a boat there home as opposed to those who are looking for a cursing yacht that they are going to live on for a month to maybe a year. When you start looking at all the compromises that have to be made as far as space, luxuries, speed, stowage, seaworthiness, reserve buoyancy for all your stuff, etc (the list could go on forever); many of these compromises are significantly diminished when you start to get over 70 feet or so. (If you can afford it) Yet it is still within the realms of a vessel that can be single handed.

In Fact in reading Guillermo’s link too Enersys, there is a quote from Ockels that embodies his line of thinking:

Gersonae, you are correct in that this is basically a hybrid setup, not new; but new technology in the energy sector is making this a more viable option in a relatively small, cruising vessel.

 

Man O'b concerning my note on the size may I refer you to a forum that was conducted sometime last year - went on for quite a bit, on the optimum sized cruising vessel - this came out at between 40 to 50 feet long for various reasons (for a couple) including 'price' and price is very important! Especially when it comes to cruising which is much the same as long term living! Maybe not permanently but for something in the term of 18 months! Guillermo and I took part quite substantively in this forum and I was referring to this! Your view on size is of course down to you but as stated above a lot of people decided that the 40 to 50 feet mark would be the limit! Incidentally I DO like your misspelling of "cruising" puts everything nicely into perspective I believe!

 

Since Gillermo isn't up for it, I'll take the bait I would beg to differ with you Walrus old chap. I won't venture to oofer opinion as to what size makes the most sense, as I know this was debated in the other thread to which you refer.
But then the boat-buying ublic are not always noted for their common sense....
Nope - I simply draw your attention to the fact that the most succesful portions of the market are those at the top end. The bigger the boats you are building, the better you are likely to be fairing.
Further, the complexity that a boat like ecolution has, becomes more difficult to justify and house as the boat gets smaller. Complexity and inovation cost... so it tends (initially at least) to be found on the bigger boats

 

Walrus,

"Incidentally I DO like your misspelling of "cruising" puts everything nicely into perspective I believe!"

Funny you should mention that, as I can hardly tell if a word is misspelled or not. Truth is I have to type everything into Microsoft word, and cut and paste into whatever document I am creating. When I get done typing a letter, it looks like a Christmas tree, red and green squiggly lines everywhere. Was it you guys over there in England that came up with this language? Everyone has handicaps, I have learned to live with the spelling issue. luckily for me I am much better with math, physics, science, 3D conceptualization, computers, building, people and the like.

As far as the size issue, I understand where you are coming from, and I can't disagree with the consensus; I read through that thread. But the gentleman in this discussion is an ex astronaut, and successful businessman in other ventures; It seams he has some expendable cash, probably more than the average. I think when money is less of an issue, you will see people opt for bigger vessels. 70 to 80 feet is within the capabilities of a couple, if properly fitted out.

For me personally, I have wanted to build a sailing ship since I was about 10 years old, I am now 46, God willing I will accomplish that goal. For the record, much study, and advise from this forum on various subjects has caused me to settle on 70 to 80 feet, down from 110 feet originally.

 

Spelling:
If you install the Google toolbar you have a spell checker in IExplorer. I use it sometimes in this forum

 

Ragnar,
I use Mozilla Firefox; spell check is automatic in the message window when I type into the forum. The problem is that if I misspell a word like "cursing", and it is a legitimate word, spell check of course doesn't recognise it. In Microsoft you can right click on the word and see synnanims for the word to tell if you are actually using the correct word. Often times I can usually tell when something is amiss, if I'm paying attention.

I went back and reread what Safewalrus was referring to, and it is kind of funny.

For all of those who might happen across this post, I would dare to say that many if not most, would be able to site deficiencies in their character, or abilities, at least if they are honest with themselves. Let me give strong encouragement, as there are always naysayers to step in and attempt to discourage you in your pursuits. Chasing the dream of a yacht is an expensive long term journey with many difficulties along the way. If I let a negative pessimist, a cynic engulfed by his own deficiencies, sway me in the least bit; then the dream is nothing more than a fantasy, a foolish chasing of the wind. If you find yourself walking along the marina, and you come across a beautiful 2 masted 80 foot 'cruiser' you will be able to tell it is me by the sign hanging on the lifeline that says " Welcum Aborde"

 

Hey people I love misspelling in the right context, it both proves I'm morally and interlectually better (note spelling of interlectthingy) and of course if taken in the right way it provides much hilarity to others (especially when a pain in the butt like what I aspires to be messes up too) and at times, as here it really can take the bite out of what otherwise could be deemed something quite nasty!!!

 

Will

good on you glad somebody has taken up the gauntlet, thought I was loosing my touch! OK if You can afford to live in an aircraft hanger go ahead and do it, but not everybody wants to! Like Extra cleaning (presuming you do of course clean the place) extra heating/cooling required, extra furniture otherwise it looks stupid! But seriously it appeared to me that in the long run the IDEA behind the whole set up was to install a system that a lot of people would want - and as stated for various reasons most can not or would not be able to afford or run such a ginormous vessel - besides which where can you go in such a bloody large thing? A lot of the little boltholes which make cruising or cursing even sssssssssssssso enjoyable would be out of bounds. So I'll stick to me 45 to 50 feet with an absolute of 60 feet! Unfortunately the stuff on this forum looks rather like it will be out of my league still never had it never miss it! so