Race for Water.-

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
While boating came across this strange out of this world self sufficient powered catamaran..

The Race For Water catamaran vessel uses only clean and renewable energy at all times for her propulsion and life on-board. By day as well as by night, Race for Water is optimised and autonomous thanks to solar energy coupled with the production of hydrogen. Energy independence onshore and at sea 365 days a year. It's entirely powered by :

Race for Water-1.JPG

Solar.-
Race for Water has 500m2 of Sunpower solar panels, totaling 38,000 photovoltaic cells. Located on the upper deck of the catamaran and on the two detachable wings, this energy source can supply 93 kW and power the engine at an average speed of around 5 knots.
Kite.-
It’s a new-generation traction kite with a surface area of 40m2, which extends to a height of 150m, the equivalent of 500m2 of sail on the sea or 200 kW of propulsion. Will double the speed of the vessel under certain conditions and greatly enhance self-sufficiency.

Race for Water-2.JPG

Hydrogen.-
Race for Water and Plastic Omnium have integrated on board a unit for producing hydrogen from seawater. It contains: 25 cylinders of hydrogen at 350 bar to allow storage of approximately 200kg of hydrogen, which will be converted into more than 2,600 kWh of electricity, i.e. 4 times the electrical storage contained in the batteries (754 kWh). The hydrogen makes it possible to be self-sufficient for six days at a speed of 5 knots.
Batteries.-
Four packs of two tons each, storing 754 kWh of energy.

Race for Water-3.JPG

World Intinerary.-

Race for Water-4.JPG

Bon Voyage Race for Water...
 

Lowlysubaruguy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
514
The phrase “that not be cheap comes to mind “. They should get Kevin Costner to pilot it and have him killing pirates for the sequel to water world.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Definitedly not cheap to build and operate, luckily has many International sponsors. The only down issue is its speed : only 5 knots with solar energy and near twice adding main sail undert top wind conditions. Boating with this water craft will be extremely boaring for us speed mortals..

Happy Boating
 

mr 88

Commander
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
2,115
Wonder how it will hold up if it gets into some serious rough water with high winds. Looks like some of the add on stuff like solar panels would take a beating. Just thinking about some of the weather the Alaskan crab guys get into and see this thing coming apart at the seams.
 

Sprig

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 2, 2016
Messages
571
What is the purpose of that vessel? Probably cost $50 million or maybe a lot more and it’s functionality is simply to cruise around the seas at about 5 mph. And even though it leaves a small carbon footprint to operate the materials and building of it probably created a huge carbon footprint (I don’t really care about the carbon footprint one way or the other but am just pointing it out)
 

oldrem

Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
2,002
Might be fun to take a tour of, but other than that I definitely don't see the purpose other than saying they could do it. As mentioned before, not sure I'd trust it in truly rough weather.
 
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