What a great couple and a gorgeous catamaran! Dan, you noticed that the current solar setup could be extended to at least 12kw. Nowadays the new flexible solar panels weighs as a feather and are more energy efficient. With 12,13kw solar panels and doubling the batteries they can easy reach at least 60 miles daily range,which is absolutely incredible. That's the future - free energy from the sun, free water from the sea, free food from the sea, just cruising and enjoying life!
Also there is fatal flaw in those panels. Panel will go dark if there is 0.1% shadow on them. So if the boat isnt 100% straight at sun there is always 25% of the panels dark cos of that narrow strip on top of them. Without it they can give 25% more power.
I'm obsessed with this idea I really wish there was more videos on this type of ship! There are very few videos in this much detail on youtube. Mostly just from Silent Yachts and those aren't even nearly as detailed since they're a commercial business. We need more DIYers making these!
This was a fantastic video. Thank you Dave and Lisa for letting Dan get us onboard. I’m sure there will be those that wont get their head around why you would give up sails on a yacht but i like the idea + the thought of rejuvenating existing cats. There is room for both types of cats. Dan is thirsting after a cat big time….may his dream come true one day
Every episode I watch is calling me closer and closer to the sea. I'm about 45 miles from Baltimore. Unfortunately life has given me nothing but lemons so as soon as I can find a decent boat I can afford my dreams will start.. thanks for what you do.
Lemons 🍋 are great to prevent scurvy at sea. Use it, turn it into motivation to get out here and away from all the BS of "normal" life. Hang in there, buddy.
We're in UK just spent the last 4 years building a custom 49ft all electric solar catamaran ourselves. To film and post would have been so difficult and slow it down more. 7.2 KW solar and 80kwh battery pack. We probably will do a video at some point of the process, and the solar blends in really well to the boat
doing this again today you would use model3 75kw packs for 11k ea, probably one in each hull for 150kw, which would give you 120 miles range per day. In any direction, which is different to a sail boat. bump the solar up to at least 12k and you can truly cross oceans. for a reasonable price.
Double layered solar roof with lower layer extending athwartships as and when conditions allow. (At anchor, calm passage, etc). Absolutely right about EV packs. Marinized off course but much cheaper than these "golf buggy" things.
I converted my 36 foot cat to electric, two 10KW motors bolted to my Volvo saildrives, I have not been connected to shore power in over 3 years, 1800 watts of solar and 600Ah of 48 volt battery’s. Just converted my two stroke outboard to a 3kw motor. Not hard to do. My motors are only for going in and out of port.
Fantastic design. The great thing about solar is that the cost curve keeps going down while the output goes up. Lifepo4 batteries are steadily decreasing in cost along with panels. If you’re living in the right place, you can take your home off grid easily today. 👍⚡️☀️🌞
i want to convert a sail cat one day i think solar and wind generate is the new future but one thing is always have a 50 gal fuel generator as for backup in case in you in a storm.
This is pretty incredible. I can see this being a fraction of the cost in 2024 with so many more options and a more budget minded smaller boat. Especially if you put in some sweat equity rather then paying people for labor. With 2x+ the battery capacity it would be incredible. Dan I think a budget build is in order!
I was actually hoping this was a boat outside Indigo Lady to have another example. But also glad you did a video on this - I had sent them an email but never heard back (don't blame them, I'm just some random email) - but as I doubt I'll be able to afford a silent-yacht or a Sunreef 60 eco power - so something like this design is something I might be able to afford. Looking forward to the next video as well. Dave always has the best t-shirts! Donate for a Dream
Super Nice Boat. Spent a lot of time working on my solar cat project, but eventually abandoned. As was mentioned, solar panels end up limited by battery storage, while you sit at anchor, there is huge amount of power that can't be stored. My idea was to use it to generate liquid nitrogen and then expand it to generate power underway. It is inefficient, but otherwise the power is 100% wasted. This owner might look into it.
Thank you for keeping an open mind about the unlimited potential of a solar powerful electric catamaran. There is so much misconception and misunderstanding. Similar to an EV and as Dave said you have to change your thinking and slow down with today's battery technology. Heavy boats with high voltage and massive battery banks like Silent Yachts are not the way to go. Light weight and big solar are the future. Silent boating sustainably should be encouraged as not everyone has the abilities or desire to sail, especially as they get older. As you understand this is the future and one that many want to embrace with minimal use of fossil fuels.
I just checked that you can now get 4x16 cell battery banks with 314Ah cells with about 5700€ from Europe. I bet they’re even cheaper in US. That would bring the 64kwh of capacity you were discussing there. And if 3kn is enough, you can drive 64 hours @1kw of power. That gives almost 200nm of range. There’s also a lot cheaper options than oceanvolts. Their benefit really is in regen which requires sails of course. But combining sailboat with regen, massive battery bank and solar as much as possible will give the true off grid solution. I’m currently building one of course. 😉
Indigo Lady's a pretty cool boat. It's interesting that it takes so little electricity to move at a typical sailing pace. You might have rediscovered a Flintstone era method of propelling a boat with that escape hatch lol. I think the forward storage compartments probably were sea-berths, because the handles looked pretty old and they were clearly placed on the underside of the hatches for someone inside to lock them. Sorry to hear about the CTX incident. If it's ongoing, you might ask your MD about AEDs for CTX poisoning. What's happened when the CTX attached to the pores of your voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs), is that it caused neuronal hyperexcitability which is when the sodium channels sporadically open when they shouldn't. And that's what caused the negative effects that you unfortunately were one of the few to ever experience. It must've been a bit scary I imagine. I've been severely dehydrated before from some terrific food poisoning that had me ishting water into the blistering wind while camping once, and I got tunnel vision with heart palpitations. So, I can relate a little bit. But as to the AEDs (antiepileptics), some of them can help negate the bad effects of CTX, because they have the ability to block or modulate the activity of VGSCs. They're known as sodium channel blockers, and they bind to VGSCs to inhibit their activitiy by stabilizing the channel. Some render it inactive totally, but some just reduce the channel's ability to open in response to depolarization. So, a modulating sodium channel blocker should inhibit the effects of CTX, since that's what those AEDs were created to do. Even though they were made for epilepsy, it still does what it's made to do. I hope you've made a full recovery. It takes a while to flush it completely out of your system dude, so if you feel it happening, don't hesitate to get back to civilization. I don't care about you or anything, I just really like your videos, so don't die on us man.😂
It would have been better to install the solar panels using rails. Then you could easily swap panels for new ones with better performance and different sizes. They could have also been a structural part of the roof, making everything lighter. Also, double-side panels would be possible.
You should definitely check out silent yachts. They are moving the solar catamarans forward. They have a hefty price tag on them unfortunately. I definitely want to build something like this! I prefer power over sails.
Electric Yacht did make a cool boat, but the company folded. Many of the folks who had placed orders are now trying to buy the company to get their boats built. Price tags were over $2,000,000 USD!
The other company that is making a massive step in this direction is the Windelo Catamarans .. they are powered by sail or solar and sail regen they use two electric motors direct drive .. brushless water cooled motors ... Virtually maintenance free for ten years and check yearly to bi yearly .. Your cat can do it ...the motors are small. Latest solar panels can be had at 33%efficiency. The big super yatchs have active position holding so they don't have to lower an anchored in sensitive areas like nature reserves or difficult areas where an anchored might slip or snag.
@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 I’ll definitely have to check them out. My goal is to have a fully electric catamaran to travel on. AdventureDan just posted a tour of a conversion one on his channel. It was awesome
Really enjoyed your video. This is my dream but now at 70 I don't think it will ever happen for me. Too many physical problems with Diabetes Type 2. But enjoy your dream and have fun.
At 52:35 I shorted myself out once, and I mean only once on 2, 8D batteries in parallel so only 12 volts but 2,700 amps in total. My left knee was touching the shaft and my right elbow touched the positive post and MY GOD, I SWEAR THAT I SEEN THE INSIDE OF MY SKULL !!! It was all that I could do to climb out of the engine room. Every time that I think about it now, I get a chuckle out of it but MAN did that hurt.
Different electric batteries. People been using lithium ion. The story your referencing they were using lithium ion. The proper lithium for boats is lithium phosphate. Lithium phosphate is safer than lead acid. Lithium ion burst in flames in contact with water.
Dan the man! Why don't you build one of these? I'm sure there are lots of subscribers like me who would love to help build it and learn how to convert old sailing cats to a modern solar cruising cat. I'm serious, I want to build one in a couple years time, but have time at hand now to help and learn. There's a demasted, hurricane damaged Gunboat 55 out there, diesel engines are toast... bidding starts at 15k...
Adventure Dan, I love your enthusiasm ❤ if you research there’s technology created a very long time ago to get 100% off oil. Unfortunately between governments and large corporations that profit off of oil have bought and killed for the rights / patents ect!!!! Even better I find Nicola Tesla / Chase Morgan? I believe 🤔very interesting. The more we expose maybe the quicker we’ll get there🙏🏼
Thanks for the video. I love the idea of an electric catamaran. I’m ignorant about boat types but wouldn't it be easier to buy a power (diesel) catamaran and convert that? TIA
@@Adventureman_Dan Amen. Unfortunately, one is now limited as to the amount of solar panels you can install, but there is plenty space for more batteries - I noted they are 304Ah/3.2V LiFePO4 cells - meaning he has 32 x cells already - an additional 32 x cells would be 64kWh TOTAL!
Hm.. Even the weakest Volvo engine is 9kWt.. Some mast with a Darrieus VAWT would be a good addition. For me a fuel price is a show stopper. Cause I'm not young enough for all these sails =) Then an electric catamaran is something
A Darrieus wind turbine would definitely be easier to soundproof I imagine because you could pack the dynamo inside the hull and pack sound insulation around it. I wonder... There's a tech startup called Aeromine that has developed a neat kind of Bernoulli tunnel design that catches wind and forces it through a small tunnel with a fast spinning propeller. I wonder how easy that would be to soundproof because you have the entirety of all moving parts in one small package.
@@RoonMian I have no idea actually. I just supposed that exactly that type of VAWT will match the catamaran from aesthetical perspectives ) As for the noise, they could try air bearing (a tiny layer of air between moving parts; you can check out what a big weight a simple air bearing can suspend). It must be noiseless.
It occurred to me that one could 'sail' just by using the tides. Anchoring at the furthest point the tide would take you and then waiting on the next tide going your way. If combined with a solar outfit like this and possibly a kite sail for downwind travel (trade wind sailing) it would be quite interesting 👍🏻
Interesting; but obviously it also has some big limitations on range and hours of operation. Sails were used to get it to Maine; and sails work as long as there is wind; night or day and usually faster and further in a day. For these folks solar may be ideal;they are not sailors , they are retired; they are in the very sunny carribbiean and can evidently take their time to get from point to point; a lot of time they may be anchored and not concerned about energy sucking functions like airconditioning, desalinization, or heating water.
Silent yachts. I hope they are still in business. 200 kilowatts on the silent 60 at 3.4 million range at 5 knots in full sun unlimited. The battery energy density only goes up in the next 300 years.
they are churning out boats at a pretty rapid pace but just went through a re-org. I think they were in trouble there for a little while but seem to have stabilized.
If you have a couple million to drop, there are a few solar-electric cats out there, though they really don’t have transoceanic range without generators. But if you don’t have that kind of money, you need to make your own from a used boat or find someone who will do it for a reasonable price. In doing so, you might be able to make a truly unlimited range boat by using a larger quantity of cutting edge panels and batteries, or maybe even adding some wind generators. This is a big opportunity for an entrepreneur out there to really break this wide open.
@@merckx99 if you cleave reasonably close to the equator you can make transoceanic crossings in those solar-electric cats without using the generator. Silent Yachts did it with their Silent 60 a few years ago.
My plan is to build a electric cat and use jet drives run buy electric motors.i did spend 10 years working with fibreglass..im looking to connect with people with similar plans
@@simons780 build from scratch.damaged catamarans are great...when your building a bull that doesn't have to support a massive mask.and sails.i think you could build cheaper then starting from a damaged catamaran
This is truly the forefront of tomorrow’s boating. The elimination of a generator could be done with more batteries or a hydrogen system that utilizes seawater. Traveling solar/hydrogen by day and hydrogen by night, using the sun and the water for power sources …wow! There is one floating catamaran lab doing it now. Soon,
Awesome boat and coverage but I was a bit put off each time you opened a closet or drawer. Personally, I would have let the owners open and showcase the various storage areas in case they had things they didn't want shown on a TH-cam video. It's just a line that I, myself, don't like crossing.
As of today, NO 100% electrical boat, exist. It is a dream not come true yet. May be if you stay in a marina, or in a bay for months at a time and travel 20 miles, from point A to point B, it might work. But ''traveling"" through the Ocean...sweet dream bro.
@@Adventureman_Dan I agree with you. But stop calling this boat an electrical-powered boat, when you know perfectly well without a diesel generator they will become a floating wreck on the seas.
Look at how frequently racing foils capsize and you’ll probably reconsider. That’s with a full crew at full attention. Imagine the complexity of managing that as a couple or single handed. Motor driven foils are more likely.
@@atomicsmith they dont capsize that often, and racing is racing... racing cars also crash... that does mean you cant travel at high speed on a confortable car nowadays. there is no way a batterie boat is faster or more effective than a sailboat and i dont think that will change anytime soon... the thing is depend what you want the boat for, if you sailing around marinas it looks cute but if you are crossing an ocean... i rather be on a sailboat and if it 's got hydrofoils lets go surfing! it is just 2 different world where both will eventually exist.
I'm skeptical. The energy for cruising over 4 kts through water is absolutely brutal unless you have a racing hull / hydrofoils. A boat does not coast like a vehicle on wheels. It is impractical to store that much energy by battery. Overnight is even a challenge. Worse, the solar roof area is too limited to get enough wattage up there. You can be 100% electric propulsion at a snails pace if you are truly determined, but I think you're making a huge mistake not making use of sails and prop regen. There are some luxury 50' power cats with an electric only design but cruising speed is super slow. You aren't dodging any weather, and likely impractically slow for blue water crossings. How much food do you carry? Is the current too much to make headway? This design looks quite practical for sitting in a cove somewhere for a long time and not going very far. It will have excellent power for kitchen appliances, water production, etc.
![How DIY Electric Catamaran Works (Solar & LiFePO4 Battery Bank) [Fully Explained]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OvhR9n8o63Y/mqdefault.jpg)
What a great couple and a gorgeous catamaran!
Dan, you noticed that the current solar setup could be extended to at least 12kw. Nowadays the new flexible solar panels weighs as a feather and are more energy efficient. With 12,13kw solar panels and doubling the batteries they can easy reach at least 60 miles daily range,which is absolutely incredible.
That's the future - free energy from the sun, free water from the sea, free food from the sea, just cruising and enjoying life!
You got it exactly right buddy! David & Lisa are pioneers for this next generation of ocean cruisers and ocean living.
check Silent Yachts 😎
@@Adventureman_Dan
@INMATE.EARTHmusic
vor 1 Sekunde
check Silent Yachts
Also there is fatal flaw in those panels. Panel will go dark if there is 0.1% shadow on them. So if the boat isnt 100% straight at sun there is always 25% of the panels dark cos of that narrow strip on top of them. Without it they can give 25% more power.
@@Thevikingcam he put those victron mppt things 2 per which segregated them from the rest of the array, limiting that problem you're talking about.
I'm obsessed with this idea I really wish there was more videos on this type of ship! There are very few videos in this much detail on youtube. Mostly just from Silent Yachts and those aren't even nearly as detailed since they're a commercial business. We need more DIYers making these!
I'm glad you like it. Someday soon I'll convert my boat to electric!
This guy is pure gold with the information that he disseminates here in this video.
Dave is a legend!
This was a fantastic video. Thank you Dave and Lisa for letting Dan get us onboard. I’m sure there will be those that wont get their head around why you would give up sails on a yacht but i like the idea + the thought of rejuvenating existing cats. There is room for both types of cats. Dan is thirsting after a cat big time….may his dream come true one day
Glad you enjoyed it. I sure am! :)
Every episode I watch is calling me closer and closer to the sea. I'm about 45 miles from Baltimore. Unfortunately life has given me nothing but lemons so as soon as I can find a decent boat I can afford my dreams will start.. thanks for what you do.
Lemons 🍋 are great to prevent scurvy at sea. Use it, turn it into motivation to get out here and away from all the BS of "normal" life. Hang in there, buddy.
Well said: look at what works, at what actually gets out here (in an anchorage, living the life). Nice boat and tour!
Exactly! And they have done it! Maybe something I'll attempt in the future!
Tech has come so far since he built this boat. Costs have come down a ton and inverters have changed.
A couple with a vision ahead of their time, well done 🙂
Exactly!
We're in UK just spent the last 4 years building a custom 49ft all electric solar catamaran ourselves. To film and post would have been so difficult and slow it down more. 7.2 KW solar and 80kwh battery pack.
We probably will do a video at some point of the process, and the solar blends in really well to the boat
Can't wait to see that. Where is it berthed?
@@marviwilson1853 South coast near Portsmouth.
doing this again today you would use model3 75kw packs for 11k ea, probably one in each hull for 150kw, which would give you 120 miles range per day. In any direction, which is different to a sail boat. bump the solar up to at least 12k and you can truly cross oceans. for a reasonable price.
THAT is awesome 👌 This is the future!
Double layered solar roof with lower layer extending athwartships as and when conditions allow. (At anchor, calm passage, etc). Absolutely right about EV packs. Marinized off course but much cheaper than these "golf buggy" things.
This boat gave me an idea that will change everything for all ocean goers.
Well tell us
@@ldemitch solar tow barge with gps navigation and electric turbojet motors. For long sails to decrease time out to sea.
I converted my 36 foot cat to electric, two 10KW motors bolted to my Volvo saildrives, I have not been connected to shore power in over 3 years, 1800 watts of solar and 600Ah of 48 volt battery’s. Just converted my two stroke outboard to a 3kw motor. Not hard to do. My motors are only for going in and out of port.
Very cool 😎
Would you be up for a few questions on your setup?:
@@shawncherchio6067 sure I share everything just not a TH-camr.
This is my dream boat!
Mine to!
They could put a para sail deployed from the front and still use wind power to help conserve and extend the batteries range
Fantastic design. The great thing about solar is that the cost curve keeps going down while the output goes up. Lifepo4 batteries are steadily decreasing in cost along with panels. If you’re living in the right place, you can take your home off grid easily today. 👍⚡️☀️🌞
Couldn't agree more!
i want to convert a sail cat one day i think solar and wind generate is the new future but one thing is always have a 50 gal fuel generator as for backup in case in you in a storm.
that was amazing. thanks everyone. happy travels..
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love solar and renewable tech and dream of maybe one day doing something similar, so I enjoyed this very much, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is pretty incredible. I can see this being a fraction of the cost in 2024 with so many more options and a more budget minded smaller boat. Especially if you put in some sweat equity rather then paying people for labor. With 2x+ the battery capacity it would be incredible. Dan I think a budget build is in order!
easily done at todays prices for batteries and solar. except for the hard work part, but that's the fun.
Hey hey yes! I agree, give me some time. I've got a few things in the works first. 😀
I was actually hoping this was a boat outside Indigo Lady to have another example. But also glad you did a video on this - I had sent them an email but never heard back (don't blame them, I'm just some random email) - but as I doubt I'll be able to afford a silent-yacht or a Sunreef 60 eco power - so something like this design is something I might be able to afford. Looking forward to the next video as well. Dave always has the best t-shirts!
Donate for a Dream
Check my email in the description and let me know. I want to make sure I have the correct information there.
Super Nice Boat. Spent a lot of time working on my solar cat project, but eventually abandoned.
As was mentioned, solar panels end up limited by battery storage, while you sit at anchor, there is huge amount of power that can't be stored. My idea was to use it to generate liquid nitrogen and then expand it to generate power underway. It is inefficient, but otherwise the power is 100% wasted. This owner might look into it.
Interesting concept, I'll have to look into that!
Definitely my future boat!
💥Dan the man is 💯the GOAT on the YT streets ‼️💥
Haha, thanks.
Loved the video, great little boat, nice couple, Flintstones would be proud.
Thanks! I appreciate you checking it out.
Fantastic, Dan. Had to Save this one.
Glad you enjoyed it
So cool! Dave and Lisa are such a nice couple!
perfect for the tropical regions.
This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!
Thank you for keeping an open mind about the unlimited potential of a solar powerful electric catamaran.
There is so much misconception and misunderstanding. Similar to an EV and as Dave said you have to change your thinking and slow down with today's battery technology.
Heavy boats with high voltage and massive battery banks like Silent Yachts are not the way to go. Light weight and big solar are the future.
Silent boating sustainably should be encouraged as not everyone has the abilities or desire to sail, especially as they get older. As you understand this is the future and one that many want to embrace with minimal use of fossil fuels.
Open mind? No no no, I am going electric soon. I love it! 😀
I just checked that you can now get 4x16 cell battery banks with 314Ah cells with about 5700€ from Europe. I bet they’re even cheaper in US.
That would bring the 64kwh of capacity you were discussing there.
And if 3kn is enough, you can drive 64 hours @1kw of power. That gives almost 200nm of range.
There’s also a lot cheaper options than oceanvolts. Their benefit really is in regen which requires sails of course.
But combining sailboat with regen, massive battery bank and solar as much as possible will give the true off grid solution.
I’m currently building one of course. 😉
Thanks for the GREAT video Dan!
One of the best ive seen
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video! Love the idea. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
I thought they'd put her up on the hard for the summer! nice to see her on the water again.
Scottchef, you just described every new home being built
Indigo Lady's a pretty cool boat. It's interesting that it takes so little electricity to move at a typical sailing pace.
You might have rediscovered a Flintstone era method of propelling a boat with that escape hatch lol.
I think the forward storage compartments probably were sea-berths, because the handles looked pretty old and they were clearly placed on the underside of the hatches for someone inside to lock them.
Sorry to hear about the CTX incident. If it's ongoing, you might ask your MD about AEDs for CTX poisoning. What's happened when the CTX attached to the pores of your voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs), is that it caused neuronal hyperexcitability which is when the sodium channels sporadically open when they shouldn't. And that's what caused the negative effects that you unfortunately were one of the few to ever experience. It must've been a bit scary I imagine. I've been severely dehydrated before from some terrific food poisoning that had me ishting water into the blistering wind while camping once, and I got tunnel vision with heart palpitations. So, I can relate a little bit. But as to the AEDs (antiepileptics), some of them can help negate the bad effects of CTX, because they have the ability to block or modulate the activity of VGSCs. They're known as sodium channel blockers, and they bind to VGSCs to inhibit their activitiy by stabilizing the channel. Some render it inactive totally, but some just reduce the channel's ability to open in response to depolarization. So, a modulating sodium channel blocker should inhibit the effects of CTX, since that's what those AEDs were created to do. Even though they were made for epilepsy, it still does what it's made to do. I hope you've made a full recovery. It takes a while to flush it completely out of your system dude, so if you feel it happening, don't hesitate to get back to civilization. I don't care about you or anything, I just really like your videos, so don't die on us man.😂
Indeed buddy. I thought it would have taken much more!
Great video with wonderfull people - including Dan 😊
Yes they are!
It would have been better to install the solar panels using rails. Then you could easily swap panels for new ones with better performance and different sizes. They could have also been a structural part of the roof, making everything lighter. Also, double-side panels would be possible.
You should definitely check out silent yachts. They are moving the solar catamarans forward. They have a hefty price tag on them unfortunately. I definitely want to build something like this! I prefer power over sails.
Electric Yacht did make a cool boat, but the company folded. Many of the folks who had placed orders are now trying to buy the company to get their boats built. Price tags were over $2,000,000 USD!
@@davidparker6469 I’ve never heard of electric yacht. I know of silent yachts. But they didn’t go under. They’re still going
The other company that is making a massive step in this direction is the Windelo Catamarans .. they are powered by sail or solar and sail regen they use two electric motors direct drive .. brushless water cooled motors ... Virtually maintenance free for ten years and check yearly to bi yearly ..
Your cat can do it ...the motors are small.
Latest solar panels can be had at 33%efficiency.
The big super yatchs have active position holding so they don't have to lower an anchored in sensitive areas like nature reserves or difficult areas where an anchored might slip or snag.
@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 I’ll definitely have to check them out. My goal is to have a fully electric catamaran to travel on. AdventureDan just posted a tour of a conversion one on his channel. It was awesome
Sailing oceans have a similar escape hatch loo.. on their early French Trimeran.
amazing innovative couple!
They are!
This will be me one day!
you should check SILENT YACHTs and SUNREEF ECO YACHTs coz theyre one of the pioneers for electric catamaran and the rest are following them
Neat people and great interview!
Absolutely amazing video!
Thank you very much!
Vertical bifacial solar panels already exist. just a matter of time before they can make the on a sail.
Verry, verry good Catamaran 😃 I love it!
Really enjoyed your video. This is my dream but now at 70 I don't think it will ever happen for me. Too many physical problems with Diabetes Type 2. But enjoy your dream and have fun.
Dan, you are amazing!!!!
Thanks!
At 52:35 I shorted myself out once, and I mean only once on 2, 8D batteries in parallel so only 12 volts but 2,700 amps in total. My left knee was touching the shaft and my right elbow touched the positive post and MY GOD, I SWEAR THAT I SEEN THE INSIDE OF MY SKULL !!! It was all that I could do to climb out of the engine room. Every time that I think about it now, I get a chuckle out of it but MAN did that hurt.
I made my 27 sailboat a solar electric.
Kept the sails too though.
I used simple trolling motors and used hard frame panels. Very cheap.
Very cool!
I think this yacht would be less likely to be struck by lightning having no mast. André in Sydney
You could do some fishing out the escape hatch, throw a light down there for night time.
Different electric batteries. People been using lithium ion. The story your referencing they were using lithium ion. The proper lithium for boats is lithium phosphate. Lithium phosphate is safer than lead acid. Lithium ion burst in flames in contact with water.
Dan the man! Why don't you build one of these? I'm sure there are lots of subscribers like me who would love to help build it and learn how to convert old sailing cats to a modern solar cruising cat. I'm serious, I want to build one in a couple years time, but have time at hand now to help and learn. There's a demasted, hurricane damaged Gunboat 55 out there, diesel engines are toast... bidding starts at 15k...
I am thinking and planning on doing just that!
Love the exit. Keep up the good work 😅
Thanks I had fun to. :)
The perfect houseboat. Just add wings!
Go Team Aqua!
Adventure Dan, I love your enthusiasm ❤ if you research there’s technology created a very long time ago to get 100% off oil. Unfortunately between governments and large corporations that profit off of oil have bought and killed for the rights / patents ect!!!! Even better I find Nicola Tesla / Chase Morgan? I believe 🤔very interesting. The more we expose maybe the quicker we’ll get there🙏🏼
SWEET!
This will save a boatload of money on fuel! (pun intended). Well done!
Thanks for the video. I love the idea of an electric catamaran. I’m ignorant about boat types but wouldn't it be easier to buy a power (diesel) catamaran and convert that? TIA
Has Dave seen any inverter backfeeding voltage to the PV panel frames? It's apparently a fairly common issue.
silent yachts have been building electric cats for a while. They just crossed the atlantic, but i think i took some help from a kite system.
That's cool!
@Adventureman_Dan sailing la vagabond did an indepth review on a silent 60 i think.
When you see Dave tell him I did Hi . He sold me his rigging.
Hey hey no way! What a small world or big internet. :) Hope your cat is sailing well buddy. :)
*W O W !!!*
7.2kWp solar = A LOT!
32kWh = Ample stored energy!
This is my dream solar yacht!
Right!
@@Adventureman_Dan
Amen.
Unfortunately, one is now limited as to the amount of solar panels you can install, but there is plenty space for more batteries - I noted they are 304Ah/3.2V LiFePO4 cells - meaning he has 32 x cells already - an additional 32 x cells would be 64kWh TOTAL!
A little constructive nitpicking:
The diesel generator is an engine. The electric powertrain uses electric MOTORS, not ENGINES.
That is all.
Thank you.
Hm.. Even the weakest Volvo engine is 9kWt.. Some mast with a Darrieus VAWT would be a good addition. For me a fuel price is a show stopper. Cause I'm not young enough for all these sails =) Then an electric catamaran is something
A Darrieus wind turbine would definitely be easier to soundproof I imagine because you could pack the dynamo inside the hull and pack sound insulation around it.
I wonder... There's a tech startup called Aeromine that has developed a neat kind of Bernoulli tunnel design that catches wind and forces it through a small tunnel with a fast spinning propeller. I wonder how easy that would be to soundproof because you have the entirety of all moving parts in one small package.
@@RoonMian I have no idea actually. I just supposed that exactly that type of VAWT will match the catamaran from aesthetical perspectives ) As for the noise, they could try air bearing (a tiny layer of air between moving parts; you can check out what a big weight a simple air bearing can suspend). It must be noiseless.
It occurred to me that one could 'sail' just by using the tides. Anchoring at the furthest point the tide would take you and then waiting on the next tide going your way. If combined with a solar outfit like this and possibly a kite sail for downwind travel (trade wind sailing) it would be quite interesting 👍🏻
That's an interesting approch.
With that much roof area, it to bad there is no rain collecting system.
Interesting; but obviously it also has some big limitations on range and hours of operation. Sails were used to get it to Maine; and sails work as long as there is wind; night or day and usually faster and further in a day. For these folks solar may be ideal;they are not sailors , they are retired; they are in the very sunny carribbiean and can evidently take their time to get from point to point; a lot of time they may be anchored and not concerned about energy sucking functions like airconditioning, desalinization, or heating water.
Silent yachts. I hope they are still in business. 200 kilowatts on the silent 60 at 3.4 million range at 5 knots in full sun unlimited. The battery energy density only goes up in the next 300 years.
they are churning out boats at a pretty rapid pace but just went through a re-org. I think they were in trouble there for a little while but seem to have stabilized.
If you have a couple million to drop, there are a few solar-electric cats out there, though they really don’t have transoceanic range without generators. But if you don’t have that kind of money, you need to make your own from a used boat or find someone who will do it for a reasonable price. In doing so, you might be able to make a truly unlimited range boat by using a larger quantity of cutting edge panels and batteries, or maybe even adding some wind generators. This is a big opportunity for an entrepreneur out there to really break this wide open.
@@merckx99 if you cleave reasonably close to the equator you can make transoceanic crossings in those solar-electric cats without using the generator. Silent Yachts did it with their Silent 60 a few years ago.
Many Teslas now have LFP batteries.
WE'RE COMMING :)
My plan is to build a electric cat and use jet drives run buy electric motors.i did spend 10 years working with fibreglass..im looking to connect with people with similar plans
Outstanding!
Build from scratch or damaged sailing cat?
@@simons780 build from scratch.damaged catamarans are great...when your building a bull that doesn't have to support a massive mask.and sails.i think you could build cheaper then starting from a damaged catamaran
Are you sure about 5kwh battery bank? That seem kind of small when I consider my house with two Powerwalls has 27 Kwh of storage.
Thank you for the nicely put correction. :) You are correct, it's 32kwh.
Now put some hydrofoils down with submerged electric motors, I understand that is much more efficient?
Want!
Exactly! It's nice!
haha, you laid your sweaty self onto their bed
I have no shame! :) lol
Tell him to make a solar raft behind him with solar panels and styrofoam only need 4-6 500w panels to make it travel much farther. Maybe 8
Well can the electric motor go more than 1 hour before recharge.
What were the costs of the two OceanVolts ?
A LOT!
Too Kool: Aqua Boy/Man lol 😛 lol!!!
Could one just add a track to the front with self-tacking jib?
Yes, but you'd still need a mast.
He should add wind turbines.
Why all the shade above the panels? Even a rope shadow can take out a huge amount of power form one panel.
This is truly the forefront of tomorrow’s boating. The elimination of a generator could be done with more batteries or a hydrogen system that utilizes seawater. Traveling solar/hydrogen by day and hydrogen by night, using the sun and the water for power sources …wow! There is one floating catamaran lab doing it now. Soon,
YES! I cant wait to see that technology come to fruition for the average sailor like me!
20,000 is minimum for safely sailing a vessel this size any real distances
Dang it, I trade my wife and kids for a boat like that.
Hahaha ohhh dam!
You mean George Washington, not Abe Lincoln. (Regarding chopping something down)
Awesome boat and coverage but I was a bit put off each time you opened a closet or drawer. Personally, I would have let the owners open and showcase the various storage areas in case they had things they didn't want shown on a TH-cam video. It's just a line that I, myself, don't like crossing.
Same here! I also didn’t like the fact how he just laid on their bed, but hey, if they’re fine with it I guess that’s ok
Thanks for watching my video. 😀
As of today, NO 100% electrical boat, exist. It is a dream not come true yet.
May be if you stay in a marina, or in a bay for months at a time and travel 20 miles, from point A to point B, it might work. But ''traveling"" through the Ocean...sweet dream bro.
This is the first of many steps toward that dream.
@@Adventureman_Dan I agree with you. But stop calling this boat an electrical-powered boat, when you know perfectly well without a diesel generator they will become a floating wreck on the seas.
What is groundtackle?
The anchoring system.
Manila and ❤ bauio😊 beautiful 👍
There is a LOT of millionaires that are teachers. All be it “poor millionaires”. 😂
Drive an Ev you will see the difference between a gas car
There is a lot of space for mutsch more solar panels dos not juse ! 7 kwp is not so mutch power in cloudy days !
I want to build one. ☝️
Hopefully the future is hydrofoils and proper speed on sails... not batteries
Look at how frequently racing foils capsize and you’ll probably reconsider. That’s with a full crew at full attention. Imagine the complexity of managing that as a couple or single handed. Motor driven foils are more likely.
@@atomicsmith they dont capsize that often, and racing is racing... racing cars also crash... that does mean you cant travel at high speed on a confortable car nowadays. there is no way a batterie boat is faster or more effective than a sailboat and i dont think that will change anytime soon... the thing is depend what you want the boat for, if you sailing around marinas it looks cute but if you are crossing an ocean... i rather be on a sailboat and if it 's got hydrofoils lets go surfing! it is just 2 different world where both will eventually exist.
@@nico-lq5xg Race cars tend to crash with each other. There are lots of videos of foiling cats capsizing during normal maneuvers like tacking.
If you weren't racing, you might also have a computer run your foil setup
Why not sails?
I love having lots of solar but why give up the sails??
The sails & rigging would shade the solar.
Get a new HopYacht for about 212k.
I'm skeptical. The energy for cruising over 4 kts through water is absolutely brutal unless you have a racing hull / hydrofoils. A boat does not coast like a vehicle on wheels. It is impractical to store that much energy by battery. Overnight is even a challenge. Worse, the solar roof area is too limited to get enough wattage up there. You can be 100% electric propulsion at a snails pace if you are truly determined, but I think you're making a huge mistake not making use of sails and prop regen. There are some luxury 50' power cats with an electric only design but cruising speed is super slow. You aren't dodging any weather, and likely impractically slow for blue water crossings. How much food do you carry? Is the current too much to make headway?
This design looks quite practical for sitting in a cove somewhere for a long time and not going very far. It will have excellent power for kitchen appliances, water production, etc.