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World's First Ocean-Going Solar Yacht Could Cruise Indefinitely – If You Take It Slow

posted by CoolHand on Wednesday September 19 2018, @07:08PM   Printer-friendly
from the slow-n-easy dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

New Atlas:

It's quick, it's quiet, and it's covered in 300 square meters (3,229 sq ft) of solar panels. The 78-ft (24-m) electric SolarImpact yacht is a concept designed as the first of its kind – an ocean-going solar-powered yacht. An 800-kWh battery on board gives it 10 hours of cruising capability, which can be extended by topping up the battery when the Sun's shining.

The yacht's giant solar array, which covers the vast majority of its upward-facing surfaces, can generate up to 320 kWh a day if they're getting lots of sun. They can serve as the vessel's sole power source if conditions allow, and you're prepared to take your time.

Although this 70-ton aluminum-hulled beast boasts 1,000 kW (1,341 hp) of all-electric power and has an impressive maximum speed of 22 knots, if you're running all the regular systems solely on solar, you will be able to cruise indefinitely, but only at a slow 5 knots – which would take you around the world in about six months if there wasn't a whole lot of land in the way.

Sea-steaders, rejoice!

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 4, Funny) by Thexalon on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:40PM (9 children)

    by Thexalon (636) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:40PM (#737208)

    Thar a slow prize be moving at only 5 knots, easy pickings for my crew of scalawags! Hoist the topsail and the colors, load the stern-chasers! I have the weather gage, and yer "motor" can't keep up with me ship even with just the mizzen. Heave-to and prepare to be boarded!

    --
    The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by VLM on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:45PM (5 children)

    by VLM (445) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:45PM (#737212)

    easy pickings for my crew of scalawags!

    Of course with many kilowatts of power laying around, look out for the electromagnetic railgun. Not to mention the squadron of sharks with laser beams on their heads in escort.

    Its strange to think of in a military sense, imagine something like a futuristic tank that moves extremely slowly but has rather impressive laser cutting and long distance plasma welding capability...

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:51PM (3 children)

      by JoeMerchant (3937) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @08:51PM (#737219)

      Actually, with the spare income, look for the team of lawyers, lobbyists, and backup of the U.S. military when needed.

      --
      🌻🌻 [google.com]

      • (Score: 2) by VLM on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:39PM (1 child)

        by VLM (445) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:39PM (#737244)

        lawyers, lobbyists, and backup of the U.S. military

        The old saying of when you need a cop within seconds, they're only minutes away.

        Actually if you just want to keep the Somalis off your yacht, and you have kilowatts laying around, simple electric fence technology is all that's really required. Although a "Death Star" laser beam would be unimaginably cool.

        • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:48PM

          by JoeMerchant (3937) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:48PM (#737250)

          If you commissioned such a thing to be built, I believe you'd be keeping in touch with the anti-pirate forces long before venturing anywhere near pirate infested waters.

          I'm not sure where the limit is, the article said this design is inches short of requiring full time crew in many jurisdictions - there's also a size around there somewhere that you are required to continuously report your vessel position to a satellite network, the treasure hunters were really pissed about that law. So, if there be solar cell pirates anywhere, they can track you continuously and plan their heist accordingly...

          --
          🌻🌻 [google.com]

      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Thexalon on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:44PM

        by Thexalon (636) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:44PM (#737249)

        Thar be lawyers and lobbyists on board? Aim for the hull, we have to sink her!

        --
        The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.

    • (Score: 2) by Thexalon on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:40PM

      by Thexalon (636) on Wednesday September 19 2018, @09:40PM (#737246)

      Of course with many kilowatts of power laying around, look out for the electromagnetic railgun. Not to mention the squadron of sharks with laser beams on their heads in escort.

      Me ship is equipped with mirrors, ye landlubber! Plus me crew kens how to put out ship fires.

      --
      The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.

  • (Score: 2) by aristarchus on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:43AM (2 children)

    by aristarchus (2645) on Thursday September 20 2018, @02:43AM (#737356) Journal

    Arrr! This be the why my submission on International Talk Like a Pirate Day be hove to and wallowing in the brig?