From the section aptly called “Diversions” section on the CBC website.
“KIEL, Germany – A German adventurer is preparing to sail the world in what he says is the world’s largest solar-powered boat.
The catamaran-style yacht sporting some 5,400 square feet (500 square meters) of solar panels was put into the water Wednesday in the northern German city of Kiel.”
Is it just me or is the person attempting this is just three notches past sunny optimism? Weather at sea at best is unpredictable. At least it seems he is taking some the necessary steps so he does not end up as eco friendly shark bait.
“Skipper Raphael Domjan praised the “groundbreaking” step toward what he says will be the first ever world tour by a solar-powered boat, scheduled to start in April 2011.
In the meantime, he is planning to extensively test the boat.”
Herr Domjan, I wish you the best of luck. Keep a watchful eye out for your arch-nemesis.





7 comments
April 9, 2010 at 11:39 am
Rob F
When they make solar powered cars, they usually throw in a lot of batteries so they can run decently on cloudy days, so this boat has to have batteries. But despite this, a circumnavigation won’t work because the intertropical convergence zone is usually cloudy anyway. Not to mention having to run systems at night, etc.
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April 11, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Sean
Even more dangerous to a solar-powered boat than clouds is that bringer-of-maritime-disaster known as Sunset.
If only we could predict where and when Sunset will occur the engineers could design a system to handle it.
-S
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April 11, 2010 at 1:32 pm
latinaHotGirl
Good post!
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April 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm
The Arbourist
The Horror…the horror! :)
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April 11, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Moe
If only these guys with money and ambition would turn to trying to put all the world’s hot water heaters on solar power. Get that little baby underway and the rest would come like candy from the skies.
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April 13, 2010 at 10:27 am
The Arbourist
But Moe, that would only help the underprivileged. We need to focus on the important stuff… like boats!
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April 13, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Moe
I am ashamed. How could I forget!
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