Man Living Off-Grid on a DIY Solar Powered Sailboat - 100% Fossil Fuel Free
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ธ.ค. 2021
- Simon has transformed this derelict sailboat into an epic off-grid solar-powered and fossil-fuel free cruising catamaran. He's been living aboard and renovating the boat for the past 3.5 years We're excited to show you the transformation as well as how he plans to propel the boat without the use of diesel or fossil fuels!
You can follow Finding Simon’s inspiring boat building and liveaboard adventures here:
/ findingsimon
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/ finding_simon
/ findingsimon
'Old Dog' is a 1976 Wharram Oro 47, which is a Polynesian canoe cat-style boat. Simon purchased it for $5000 CAD after it had been sitting in the same spot for 12 years (looking back he probably wouldn't have paid that much for it!).
To transform the boat to a fully electric sailboat, Simon removed the diesel engine and replaced it with an HP EV AC 12 kW engine, and installed 16 x 330 Watt solar panels (5280 Watts total), and nearly 20 kW hours of lithium battery power. He also plans to add an equivalent amount of wind turbines on the boat for days and seasons when there's less sun. And of course, he'll eventually have some sails and a couple of telescoping masts.
The living space inside the boat includes 4 berths, a mechanical room, a head bathroom with a washing machine, a massive galley, two cockpits (yet to be built), and a settee lounge area. Outside there's a great back deck and eventually there will be a space to lounge up front as well.
You can follow Finding Simon’s inspiring boat building and liveaboard adventures here:
/ findingsimon
/ findingsimon
/ finding_simon
/ findingsimon
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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STAY IN TOUCH!
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Website: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: / exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: / exploringalternatives
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to TH-cam.
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Build Footage:
Provided by Simon Stiles from Finding Simon
/ findingsimon
#catamaran #fossilfuelfree #livingonaboat - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Thanks for watching! You can follow Finding Simon here:
th-cam.com/users/findingsimon
www.patreon.com/FindingSimon
instagram.com/Finding_Simon/
www.tiktok.com/@findingsimon
How do you take care of the poo?
Just smash it with a wooden mallet and let the rain wash it away...
Have you ever thought about a wood gas generator? That may help if you have issues with wind and solar.
Water Generator- I’m more than sure you could construct a drop down/stowaway shaft propeller that spins with the tidal direction and produce electricity. The current flow is almost constant in or out.
Might be a silly idea but I just thought it’s the most practical
@DaKermitFrog You just press a button and the bottom of the boat falls out from under the dog.
I recently became disabled and had to make some major life changes. I canceled my DirecTV for $140 a month and now just watch lots of youtube and this is why I came across your channel. I love it! I'm going to binge watch many of your videos. Thanks
Hows things😮
same but i been doing it for almost 20 years .. welcome to the cripple club
I got disabilities and run my youtube off a bucket of worms. Nice to be here.
I don't see you fitting sails on it.
I love this guy, he does exactly what he wants to and doesn't give a toss about what anyone else thinks about his decisions. A lot of people in the comments and elsewhere have doubted him and said that he'd never succeed and yet he continues to prove them all wrong. Good on you Simon.... carry on !
I'm the same way but I have 4 kids and a wife so I have to care what people think :P
@@DankAlchemist I recognize that, I have a wife and 2 kids, she doesn't like my open minded thinking and out outside the box solutions.
@@DankAlchemist
No U don't but U aren't Strong in Spirit like this Dude
Yes well look on the bright side at least you don't have 4 wives and a kid...
@@gregjones3660 😆
This guy is my spirit animal, I'm super jealous of the way he disconnected from the grind of gas, cars, property taxes, mortgage, etc.
The more people that do this the more the governments will make laws against it.
seems like hes grinding more than most with all the different work he is juggling
@@James-zw4tn with boat you can move to another country
So very much to be said for living the life fit for “you” not anyone else just you, very fulfilling and well worth living. Well done Simon, best wishes on your life’s journey mate
I wish I could have one friend that wanted to do things like this.
Do you have any sailing clubs in your area? You might find someone who shares your interests about building something similar
Meeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!
@@karenrouth2056 where you at? Im in Toledo OH. hopefully I'll be working on Milwaukee next week.
@@karenrouth2056 may you find 100s of friends in Jesus' name!
I'm here in New Zealand
I met Simon at the RTR he is a very tall slim man that's just the most polite chill guy you would like to meet. He is one hell of a cook. Enjoyed his cooking videos he used simple black iron skillet.
this is awesome! Well done Simon. I think most people would be stoked to live on that boat
I love it! enjoy your sailing
NIce! I have been following Simon since 2014. I am so happy to see his progress from van life to boat life. : )
So cool to see your progress! What a journey from the times of Degnen Bay! We used to see you all the time at Kenny’s, with your dog, heading to your boat and back.
Looks great Simon, I'm very happy for you. I wish you continued success
You're doing great, buddy, and you have your buddy with you, which you can't beat
Yay Simon! Been watching his project for about three years now. Hope this vid gives him a big subscription bump. Nicely put together!
SImon is such a brave, hard-working, multi-skilled and most of all chill dude! The catamaran looks great!
Man I totally love your boat you built , I’m inspired , I have built small boats but nothing like yours , wow you did an awesome job on that , well done love it.
This little film gave me hope for exploring my dreams and moving on. I've watches it over and over again.
Been following Simon since the first video you guys made of him with his van! Thanks for all you guys do!
That's awesome! Thanks Spencer :)
Glad to see Simon's happier on his barge than he ever was in his van though I did enjoy his travels with his dog and whoever had joined him for company.
I remember Simon from years ago. From the vanlife era, he was one of the ones that got me inspired into my life and bus life
Simon, I'm blown away by what you have done, not just with this catamaran, but with the way you live your life. If you ever swing by the Spanish banks in Vancouver where I park my '87 Class-C Motorhome alot of the summer, look me up! I'm bursting with questions on the solar kit you have built, not to mention your water maker.
My camper is really just a step toward my dream of a boat, and I even pretend its a boat. Lord knows it drives like one.
😂
As a fellow liveaboard living in the same area as Simon, I thoroughly enjoy his channel. Outstanding job on his cat.
@Rob Wilton not a youtuber, but love to follow people like Simon.
Cat? Dog? Ooooo catamaran... 😅
I have been following Simon for years and have always enjoyed his channel!
did u go to his boat
Wow. I’m finally watching a DIY restoration that’s NOT ten years old! Great job.
With these subscribers he can easily afford a nice yacht…Respect for your life😊
I've been thinking of something like this for years ..
The roof on a houseboat is plenty of room for solar panels.
This is an awesome project.
I love your story. But you have convinced me to build a wood stove. Never even considered it and you barely mentioned it but now I'm obsessed. Thank you for planting that seed. I appreciate you
Super impressed with your creativity and your DIY (Do it yourself) boat transformation!
Wow man, what you've done and build is just Awesome, all the power and luck to ya.
100% live aboard electric boats will definitely become more of a thing, especially if marine hydrogen fuel cell systems become more mainstream which gives you the option to store lots of energy. The Energy Observer vessel is the ultimate personification of the concept traveling around the world.
Hydrogen doesn't make much sense for a few reasons, for one you are putting a LOT more energy into creating then storing the stuff than you will ever get out of it. And for another storing it requires significant volume per unit energy so a boat with limited space isn't going to hold as much energy in hydrogen as it will in a more conventional fuel. So "lots of energy" isn't exactly accurate.
@@DrewLSsix There is nothing hypothetical about it. Like I said, look at the The Energy Observer which is a hydrogen fuel cell ship that traveled around the world with a crew.
I think the only good thing the hydrogen could be used for is for cooking and heat. One can use the excess solar to put into hydrogen production. Or alternatively maybe running a fuel cell as an extra reserve, but maybe one would just go for more batteries, idk.
renewables are an addition to. If you travel and do normal things you won't make it off renewables alone in 98% of the world where it's not pure sun or wind
Batteries are probably pretty much always the more cost effective energy storage method in this context.
This is so awesome!! Can’t believe all the work he’s done 👍👍👍
Closed down all coal powered plants! Yet rely on batteries for your green new deal boat.. Wonder how all those sanders worked.
Cool. Its amazing to see this guy actually living off grid... truely Sustainable.
Props to this guy. Living the dream
Right on ! I wonder if he is ever in Gibsons, Id love to check out his boat.
Simon, quite amazing. I just happened upon one of your videos today. You got it going on buddy....keep it up. The first step is the hardest.
I am 61 and considering the same. Will be watching your videos for inspiration. I like the fact your so upfront about your experiences.
There is so much to learn even though I used to be able (in my distant youth) to handle up to about 40' foot of sailboat solo thanks to my father. All maintenance too...stinkpot backup power....yep!? Moving them in and out of the water...pain in the u kno what!! Stepping the mast....fun I can do without.
But, this independent lifestyle appeals to so many in this currently crazy world. Much to learn from you about the technical aspects of "off the grid". Watching, listening and doing work best for me and others like me who have a hard time reading technical data.
Thank you!
Mike.
Lake Erie ...Ohio side ; )
Super impressive and inspiring! Go Canada! Much respect from Alberta.
Great stuff! Well done dude! Love that your living your life, your way! Keep going 👌👍😎🇦🇺❤️
its one of my dream to live like this
salute those of you who are persistent in fighting for a dream ship to be perfect even though the process takes a long time every day but you manage to keep your spirits up
Awesome video. Guy is so down to earth. That's paradise on the water.
Yep! -- Nodded my head knowingly through out the video. Thanks a Mill!
Very unique and interesting as always! Thank you!
Thanks Phil!
Love Simon’s channel!
This is the best boat video I've seen on TH-cam so far. I lived off-grid on a self-built solar rig for 8 years, so I have some basics, and I'm interested in Wharram designs and catamarans in general, and I'm simplicity-oriented, but I also appreciate your calculations and real-world example of just how many panels needed, given electric propulsion, etc... and I DOUBLE appreciate that this is not some consumer-boatshow-oriented $$$$ vaporware that we may "one day see" out of our price range. I can begin calculating some things, thanks to your video.
Have you looked into 1) the Wharram wingsail designs 2) schooner or at least mast-per-hull with the former? Just digging into the Wharram design book now... You must have intimate knowledge of how your boat was built, by now, as you rebuild it constantly!
He is very modest about his cooking abilities. He is a real chef. Watched him prepare incredible meals using his little black iron skillet.
Simon you can run South instead of paying to heat a boat.
Great looking boat! perfect for sailing the bays of pacific northwest. Not sure if I would do an atlantic or pacific crossing on it tho.. but definitely looks like a nice houseboat
Been waiting for this.
Simon !!!!!! Chillest dude I met at the 2017 RTR Quartzite AZ. Tall slim accomplished chef too he cooked incredible meals with his little black skillet. I'm glad I didn't know who he was when I met him. I think I would have been a little star struck. Also got to meet a lot of other YT channel pilots.
While the Wharram's original design was for sailing, the absence of a mast and sails makes the boat a powerboat and not a sailboat. My wife and I have converted our 40' sailboat to electric propulsion and are powered my solar energy. Our primary propulsion is wind, since we are a sailboat but our auxiliary power is comprised of two 10kw electric motors, delivering about 40hp to the propeller shaft. At anchor, we live like kings, just like an apartment. Underway, we can maintain 3.5 knots indefinitely, with bright sunshine. We haven't had an electric bill in 7 years and we occasionally run our air conditioned, always have ice in the freezer, and frequently watch movies projected on the bulkhead screen. It's a great way of life, if you can handle the upfit. The advantage to your design is the real estate across the top. The advantage to our design is that we can easily move at a moment's notice without regard for our state-of-charge and can regeneratively charge our battery banks while sailing.
Thanks for sharing this awesome story, along with Mat's incredible music! Having an ugly boat is probably a good thing, pirates won't even give it a second glance! :)
Yeh probably ought to find a way to camouflage all those sun reaping devices; all those panels sorta wreak a faint aroma of money/power. Pale pink camouflage Live Oak prolly look real nice but I couldn’t call that boat ugly now. Just saying.
Yeah, prolly a blue tarp over them thar panels, ought to do the trick just nicely
What a delightful video! A true adventurer! Best wishes for happiness!
What a wonderful video of a great guy and his admirable project! Thanks for finding and showing another inspriring possibility :).
Absolutely loved this video, forget the sails ... you've nailed it out of the park with your amazing solar setup ...
don’t tell him what to do
I've been watching Simon for a couple of months. I love the islands on the USA side and hope to visit the Canadian islands one day. His dog Honey is so cute.
Agreed, the islands in the upper left are very nice
U seem like u’ve got it together man(smart, articulate, willing to learn, enviro, self-reliant…etc)! I really enjoyed this vid! Good luck!
Freaking awesome man! I’d be fishing that boat everywhere! That’s so rad!
Waterworld yeah! This sounds so amazing as long as you have some seeds, dry land in pots and water filtration that can be maintained
Just started watching. I really hope you get it sailing. You should look into those electric motor things where the prop charges your battery while you’re sailing. I can’t remember right now but there’s a sailing couple that has a TH-cam channel that has one. I really hope you get some sails on it soon!!
Watt and sea hydrogenerator the channel is called sailing lucky fish and it's awesome
I appreciate the amazing info, your efforts are outstanding and I hope this journey continues and you have great success. Your pointers and advice are very well appreciated thanks and good luck 👍🏽
Wow that's really nice battery the solar & those two motors setup 😁👍
It ain't simple Simon.
Well done Mr ❤️
Wow! Amazing dedication to forging your own way in life - truly inspiring stuff. If you're going to claim '100% fossil fuel free', though, I need to point out that those batteries, solar panels, really anything plastic/rubber is going to be produced from fossil fuels. I think this is an important point - which does not take away from this mans incredibly inspiring story and truly uplifting message - because we need to be realistic in our understanding of what benefits we reap from using fossil fuels. I believe the world is too obsessed with being driven away from fossil fuels in a misguided (and greedy) way instead of putting an emphasis on balance between energy sources.
All that being said, I hope to one day meet Simon and shake his hand!
absolutely agree; no man is an island. :)
lets not forget the 100% fossil fuel rubber dingy with an outbord motor...
@@JWINDSOR shhhhhhhhhh! ;)
or the fact he uses a fire.... as well which obviously releases carbon...
@@warmage247 that’s weird and nit-picky.
We applaud you! Your eco practices are exactly what our boating community needs to be inspired for green boating!
You want truly 100% green boating you will need to build your boat by hand using all natural materials.
Green boating is an oxymoron if I ever heard one.
Avg temps fluctuate worldwide. Stop your goofy green lies
Simon, I wished more people took not only the interest but the inspiration and motivation to do something like this .❤
well, boats are a TON of work, and even when all the work is done, new work pops up constantly. They are money and time-sinks people really don't understand until they get one, and realize they can't keep it afloat all alone or without massive $. For those that can or are willing to learn and do it all, it's pretty cool.
"All in all not a bad way to go." Dude, you are doing great!
I’m definitely going to sub to his channel, I have some much respect for individuals that want to do things for the better for our planet, to share experiences and living off the grid.
Yep same here. Just subbed...
I need subbs 😬
@@professionalguy9346 buy a boat then 😂
@@iMann_iFail lol, I’m building mine from scratch.
Wow, what an amazing journey Simon has been on! Hope you'll be checking back in with him when he's got his sails on.
That's incredible having lived in Vancouver for 45 years I know how beautiful the island's are but it rains a lot from October to April but I must admit I'm very jealous of you 😀 all the best my friend I admire you
Now, that's the real work.. knowing how to survive like that on your own. 😂 proud of this man! ❤
When this guy hits bad weather he'll understand why diesels are still a thing.
You would think so. Believing he's saving the planet is a misconception. There is no climate emergency. There is the fear of climate brought about by the non stop propaganda from the MSM.
@@kevinpelletier7053 Correct. And for over 50 years I have seen no change in climate. I have seen significant increase of propaganda. I have traveled to Europe twice to hike in the Alps for a month, to Alaska, and the high arctic( Resolute Bay, Iqaluit, and Somerset Island). I have seen the remnants of Thule huts in the high arctic. Thule thrived year round in the high arctic hunting whales in ice free arctic almost 700 years ago. Then the little ice age came and the whales stopped coming that far north and Thule disappeared. Thule could not survive in the harsh arctic conditions existing there today.
@@kevinpelletier7053 August 15, 2020
Anchorage - Highest Temperature
Max °F Date Max °C
78 August 15, 2020 26
This is awesome! Lots of good ideas! This shows us how well we can live more sustainably, independent and self-sufficient. And in connection with nature.
Passion & Determination. Awesome.
Solar and Wind turbines, perfect for the pacific north west where in Vancouver we have LOTS of grey cloudy days but that means there is consistent wind for him.
This is a GENIUS design. Also a catamaran design is more resistant to capsizing adding to the safety.
Once I get out of college, I want to get a home near the water and make a solar boat like this.
Wait till you see the modern versions of atmospheric electricity using all the new modern inventions we have today. I was considering putting an array flexible solar panels as a square rigged sail. However the new innovative rigid sail is better. You are learning the skills that you will need when you are ready to voyage. Really good points about the zen aspects of sailing.
This is the coolest DYI selfsustained boat in the world i've seen so far !
what an awesome friend he would be. 🥰
Very nice & economical
Hell yeah brother, live free and happy, live with what you need and always be happy. 🤙🙏
3 years now I've been living on a self converted retired skoolie. Best decision I've ever made.
Sitting in the same spot for 12 years. What fantastic craftsmanship to still be functional.
Wow! You’ve really made something happen here! I’m an old mech eng and built a cottage 20 years ago - with solar, wind, solar thermal, a solar powered barge etc…love what you are doing!!! As I’m sure you’re aware the key for heating is to overdo the insulation on your cabin - I heat my house near Toronto with heat pumps, but I insulated to the hilt (e.g. 2x8 walls)
I doubt his walls are 2" much less x8!
Will there is a rocket stove just put in YT " wood burning stoves - super efficient rocket mass heater " well worth the time to check out.
This is such a cool project. Must be awesome to work on it and live in it.
Winter heat is the wood stove, I know you’d like to get rid of it but reliable heat is better than freezing. Stock up your wood supply before the cold weather hits your area. If you half to bury the boat in firewood, better that than freezing.
Food for thought
Fantastic video. Loved it and much love from Belfast, Northern Ireland
They don't need all those panels, it's the battery bank that should be beefed up, not panels.
He needs both, hes in higher latitudes so he only gets a lower % of the full outputs.
Great way to go....
And what experience are you going off of here lol? Look at all the current electric proper power cats. Exactly the same setup
Tell me you know nothing about electricity without telling me you know anything about electricity...
A sailboat with no sails. Nice!
I love this... it just makes me love boats even more.
Your boat aka water top home
Is absolutely Beautiful
Wish I could do this...
Maybe some day
Very cool project. Hope you have the juice to outrun winter storms.
When you boast about living fossil fuels free, but use Ton’s of fossil fuels to build and maintain it.
I admire his admission to not knowing everything and much still to learn. Solar, Wind, and battery banks are newer technologies if you consider recent improvements in efficiency.
When you have money and build your own stuff, you might lose money but you learned something. When you don't have money and build your own it doesn't matter because you needed it. Nice work
amazing ! so inspiring ❤️🙏 thanks for sharing
So, when he says "fossil fuel free", he's only talking about moving the boat. Not the construction and maintenance and other products used on the boat.
guess he doesn't understand what 100% means
5:08 green propane bottle on the left counter...
Looking forward when robot can make houses in minutes!
Yes, me too - Boxabl is a good start in that direction
Very cool, thank you for sharing your story!
I love your boat. It would be a great vacation spot.
I don’t see any “SAILS” on that non-sailing, “sailboat.” A sailboat with our sales, isn’t a sailboat. It might be a sailboat in the future, with the addition of a mass and some sails. But, it’s not a sailboat, now!
I was going to post the same. It's no sailboat !
It was once a sailboat. Now its actually more convenient for his particular cruising grounds. Prolly need sails if you decide to take it to the open ocean. But why bother, your current cruising grounds look like you could spend a lifetime exploring.
It shows that you haven't checked his channel yet, he just got the masts!!!
Things can be defined by form, or function, The form of that boat is 'sailboat' . I t was built as a sailboat. It doesn't function as a sailboat, at this time. And everyone except titeass word pricks will accept that it is a sailboat.
Now, if I am in the woods, and ask someone for a hammer, they will pick up a rock and hand it to me. Defined by function.
Sails? Good idea.
My dream life you are very lucky to having this kind of experience close to mother nature
Thanks for sharing
Lovely lifestyle and exciting adventures ahead!!👍💙🏝