Anyone else notice the google ad: (I'll give the link, but click on the ad so Danny gets a few pennies for the site) http://dsehybrid.com/ A family boat that goes up to 7 knots on the solar array alone!
Sweet! I've been contemplating the possibility of a pontoon stlye electric fishing boat with a solar array. You could easily convert a used one. Typically, you don't go fishing in the rain or at night, so it's a good fit. On days you are not fishing, the boat can help power your home! Dual use for the same investment in solar!
Pretty cool, Evan. I just looked at the website, and the boat looks like fun. I'd prefer a sailing mono-hull version, but then it would be harder to get the space for the PVs. I like the notion of being able to use the PVs to power house systems, such as refrigeration. This is normal, but being able to double up for propulsion use in clever. The design doesn't look seaworthy enough for some of the weather we get in the Great Lakes, but that's true for most pleasure motor craft. The strategy in that case is to make a run for shelter before the weather gets too bad. At sailboat speeds you can't do that. Tom
