solar powered boat?

[bandit86]

I saw one here a while ago, does anyone have the article?

 

[crunch]

Re: solar powered boat?

Saw one where?... what article?

I imagine it would work, might even get up to planning speed if you had the batt. reserve, enough solar panels to power it at planning speed, and all that didn't sink you at the dock.

The biggest problem would be the surface area needed for the solar cells... I know,...I know,... put a wing on it, a flying boat 8)

 

[ZmOz]

Re: solar powered boat?

There was some pontoon boat posted here a while with solar panels...but it could never go more than a few minutes before it needs to be recharged. Boats need MASSIVE amounts of engergy to go anywhere. Solar panels only provide TINY amounts of energy per square foot. See the problem? Just because someone added a few solar panels to their trolling motor batteries doesn't mean they actually have a "solar boat".

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: solar powered boat?

There was a posting on a solar 'toon here a while back. It only went 10 miles per day on strictly solar power.

Here is the link:http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/the_loon_solar-.php

 

[crunch]

Re: solar powered boat?

Typical Tree hugger BS.

Electric cars, all you have to do is plug them in at night, pollution free, we are going to save the environment... see? I'm not producing any greenhouse gasses with my car... BS !!!

Where do these people think the power comes from? 90% of the power in the US comes from fossil fuel burning power plants, with the inherent loses due to friction at the generator, power loss in the transmission lines, and the loss charging the batteries, they would be better off just running an old 1970's V-8, but by God, they are GREEN !!!

There is an idiot born everyday, and they don't seem to die off!!!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: solar powered boat?

they would be better off just running an old 1970's V-8, but by God, they are GREEN !!!

No, not really. Modern power plants are more than 50% efficient. 1970s v8s are lucky to be 20% efficient. we also get lots of power from wind and hydroelectric. You're right in the fact that electric cars still produce pollution, but completely wrong otherwise. They are MUCH more efficient than any car with a gas engine. Even hybrids. Also, this post is about solar panels, which really are pollution free. (except of course the manufacturing process) Solar panels; however, almost never make financial sense.

You really should have your facts straight before you call someone an idiot...

 

[crunch]

Re: solar powered boat?

Modern plants?... K.

But most of the plants are old, and the lines are old, and the wind and hydro are a small %, and I'll stick to my word...

Most Tree huggers are idiots, they haven't done the math and don't relate to the real world.

If you followed all of the environmentalists rules, 90% of the human race would have to die off... of course not themselves personally, just everyone else.... but the trees and deer will be fine.

BTW, I've research solar and wind for my own house for the last 5 years... tech ain't up to it yet.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: solar powered boat?

But most of the plants are old

No, they're not. Regardless of the age of a powerplant, anything operating today has been upgraded to modern standards. The more efficient they are, the more money they make. They are not stupid.

they haven't done the math and don't relate to the real world.

This description fits you perfectly. Your posts are wrong, and off topic. If you want to continue mindless BS spewing, please keep it on the topic of solar boats. Electric cars do not relate in any way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: solar powered boat?

while in the FL Keys last week, i saw several boats with small solar panels. these are usually on the moored boats, to recharge the batteries to operate the mooring lights, at night.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: solar powered boat?

while in the FL Keys last week, i saw several boats with small solar panels. these are usually on the moored boats, to recharge the batteries to operate the mooring lights, at night.

You have it spot on tashasdaddy .... I have a small leisure liner houseboat we go fishing with that has solar panels .....

 

[flashback]

Re: solar powered boat?

haven't givin solar much thought, but have been thinking about a good displacement hull driven by a small steam engine, water heated by cooking oil from mickey d's. did some research on it and should be able to make about 10 knots on a gallon of oil an hour....right now, I'm just saving money for the engine and boiler. their pretty pricy..d

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: solar powered boat?

Flashback, becareful, there are special inspections and requirements for steam engines. have to meet strick guidelines.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: solar powered boat?

How about a using a sail. They are cheap and work in cloudy weather too!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: solar powered boat?

haven't givin solar much thought, but have been thinking about a good displacement hull driven by a small steam engine, water heated by cooking oil from mickey d's. did some research on it and should be able to make about 10 knots on a gallon of oil an hour....right

This might be a bit faster...
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3321

 

[steelespike]

Re: solar powered boat?


A small diesel on cooking oil can do about 30 MPG.
at displacement speeds.
A basic electric car driven 200 days a year about 20 miles a day costs about $1.50 a day including replacing batteries every 3 years.
There is a 5.5 hp electric outboard that will push a 24ft pontoon at 6.2 mph,a 26ft 8000 lb sail boat at 7.2 mph
and plane a 14ft jon at 12.7 mph.costs about $1 to recharge. Very expensive but gives about 9hp gas engine performance.
Electric serves nicely in specific applications.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: solar powered boat?

I really do think it's time to start looking into alternative methods for power. Obviously it will be a LONG time before our outboards are obsolete, but we have to start looking in that direction.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: solar powered boat?

Dont forget about just using paddles. They cost very little and destroy a small part of 1 tree. Running costs depend on the operators hunger and thirst for beer when you eventually get where you want.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: solar powered boat?

Pipe dreams anyone? There is absolutely nothing out there to replace gas and diesel powered vehicles. Not now and not in hundreds of years. Sure you can "put put" around in electric vehicles, but nothing can produce the shear power of a gas/diesel motor for the masses. Nothing!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: solar powered boat?

Pipe dreams anyone? There is absolutely nothing out there to replace gas and diesel powered vehicles. Not now and not in hundreds of years. Sure you can "put put" around in electric vehicles, but nothing can produce the shear power of a gas/diesel motor for the masses. Nothing!

YET !!!! and probably not in my lifetime. I am with you on this one.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: solar powered boat?

They are out there, in the infancy stages, but there nonetheless.