This looks really slick! Maybe you could add an optional reflective sail. It's just a triangle of reflective sheet - the forward edge is supported by a pole near the front left or front right corner. The rear corner is attached to the rear left or rear right corner. If there's wind, the sail will naturally flex to the side that will provide some thrust. But it's reflective, so you choose the side which will reflect extra sunlight onto the array. If the wind is too strong, you can simply let the sheet hang loose, so it's a "flag" rather than a "sail". This won't provide any wind thrust, but it could still reflect extra sunlight onto the array.
Better get to it while there’s still water in the river! Good news about the lack of rain is the lawn grows slower which means more time for boating 😂 What’s your ETA for launching?
@@DIYKauai Gotcha. A few things, if you’re building homemade you can’t reuse/build on an existing trailer unless it has paperwork. They’ve gotten really strict at DMV. For Cats I like to use the Easy Loader Jet Ski trailers and add cross supports and rollers. For the money, you can’t beat the Harbor Freight steel or aluminum 4’x4’ trailers if you can figure how to get one here. And material-wise, you can’t beat the galvanized 2”X2” square perforated sign posts you can buy new from Roadway Solutions in Lihu’e. Using them to build anything is like an erector set, everything is adjustable and can be bolted together, and they hold up well in our environment being galvanized.
@@kauaislash5 VERY interesting about the roadway solutions metal. The theme of this boat was build once to last forever so was hoping to make an aluminum trailer from scratch. Not even sure if I can get the metal on Oahu... kinda at an impasse... 16' long, 8 foot wide "minicat"...
@@DIYKauai Misspoke on those trailers, meant to say those kits are available from Northern Tool. The Roadway sticks are around $60 for 10’ lengths. I used to pull them out of the dump whenever I could, that was until I discovered RS was the one supplying them to the State and County and will sell to walk-ins. They also have the 6’ long I beams you see that support guard rails.
Looks like I'm two years behind on this one but great work. Electric motors are opening up a whole new world of boating in my opinion, especially for the budget minded. I rescued an old 22' cabin trailer sailor from the grave and have been rebuilding her into as flexible a fun boat as possible. She can still sail but now has fishing and crabbing abilities and with a swing keel, runs through 12" of water without scraping. I'm running with a gas outboard currently but very interested in an electric conversion.
If you are okay with slow and mellow, and can figure out a way to get some solar panels mounted (provided you’re in an area with good sun) then electric makes a lot of sense. Good on you for repurposing an old hull. My Catamaran was a salvage as well. Electric has some great maneuverability and control advantages in addition to being quiet and not smelly. The ability to turn at a very slow RPM (versus idle speed of ICE motors) and to quickly switch from forward to reverse really comes in handy and allow for precise maneuvers.
such a cute boat. for around here the only changes i might make would be bug netting. then roll down clear plastic front and maybe roll down tarps. a tarp from the front of the solar panels to the front of the boat allowing you to "camp" sleeping in that area at night. great for the small rovers... though i would NOT take it out on the lake... current weather report from the nav bouy just out side of town. 6' waves with 2.3 second frequency. weather like you you wanna hide in a sheltered cove or harbor.
I do have a soft shower curtain like camping enclosure for it that drops from inner perimeter fame of solar hardtop. I also cruised it with this for a while, but I don’t do much river camping with it anymore. ua-cam.com/video/UUJPw_LP7yU/v-deo.htmlsi=Hhe3tw7Y1yX57Bct
@@kauaislash5 be fun to take it up a lot of the longer rivers, it would take for ever but doing part of the great loop or traveling down some of the long canals, camping along the way could be fun. Normally you wanna try that with bigger boats,,, but i think it would be fun to do it in something small like this or maybe a modified C-dory 16.
True, but then I wouldn’t be able to stand on the bow and pilot through river mouths and reef channels. Also nice to have a place to jump off into water and dry off in sun. I may however squeeze another two on and increase the width a bit now that I don’t have to walk the hulls to manually trim the motors. The new 30’ Cat I’m building will have 3kW of BiFacial solar covering 2/3 of the overall length similarly.
I'm not sure I understand the steering.. to turn, do you increase speed on one side and reduce speed on the other side? If that's the case... what happens if one motor goes out?
Good question. Yes, the boat uses forward and reverse differential thrust to propel and steer. The more effective operation is to reduce throttle on one motor to allow the other to overtake it in order to steer as the drag of the one hull and the reduction of thrust allows the other to easily overtake the it, versus increasing throttle to overtake the other. So “steering” the vessel means you are making minor throttle reduction adjustments to stay on course. One of the reasons it steers so well by controlling independent thrust is because the motors are well spaced apart and directly inline and behind their respective hulls. Because of this, it also means if you lose one motor as you inquired, the boat becomes very effective at will turning in tight circles. If you look closely at the video you will see an aluminum bracket mounted mid rear beam. This bracket accepts a drop in rudder in case of a motor malfunction. It is also for use with SolGato’s Crab Claw Lateen Hybrid sail rig when the motors are retracted. About 7 minutes in you can see the rudder system in this video: ua-cam.com/video/1DyONG2oHPg/v-deo.htmlsi=3CYvqzgvnJ2ZXAUe
@@chadpeddy Not sure if you are referring to the electric trim or the kick-up feature, but the motors can be fully trimmed out of the water and then across the whole trim range, they have the ability to kick up on impact in cases of floating/submerged obstacles or a shallow grounding. Here, common obstacles are logs and coconuts. By allowing the motors to kick, they can better absorb an impact protecting the prop and linear actuators from damage.
@@ВикторАбакумов-в4зTall roof = more windage, which = less efficiency, slower speeds, and reduced range. It also raises the CG. The roof totally collapses with a push of the button for trailering/towing and is completely adjustable in angle to better capture sun and or reduce windage when motoring upwind which is typical when exploring rivers. You don’t stand on this boat, you sit and lounge on it. And just like a hat, the lower the top the more shade from the sun.
Or maybe you just push a button on a wireless remote to activate the front and rear linear actuators independently to raise and lower the top or adjust its angle anywhere in between to reduce windage, better capture sun, create more shade, or completely lower it for towing/trailering? ua-cam.com/video/1DyONG2oHPg/v-deo.htmlsi=m03caqkgh0RB1ANI
Really enjoyed your awesome vessel moving through awesome scenery.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
This looks really slick!
Maybe you could add an optional reflective sail. It's just a triangle of reflective sheet - the forward edge is supported by a pole near the front left or front right corner. The rear corner is attached to the rear left or rear right corner. If there's wind, the sail will naturally flex to the side that will provide some thrust. But it's reflective, so you choose the side which will reflect extra sunlight onto the array.
If the wind is too strong, you can simply let the sheet hang loose, so it's a "flag" rather than a "sail". This won't provide any wind thrust, but it could still reflect extra sunlight onto the array.
Love this rig... gotta get a trailer going and free mine from the garage. This river is the reason I am building her...
Better get to it while there’s still water in the river! Good news about the lack of rain is the lawn grows slower which means more time for boating 😂 What’s your ETA for launching?
@@kauaislash5 Not sure, I gotta build a trailer which I've never done before and I gotta find the metal 1st and the money so maybe another 12 months?
@@DIYKauai Gotcha. A few things, if you’re building homemade you can’t reuse/build on an existing trailer unless it has paperwork. They’ve gotten really strict at DMV. For Cats I like to use the Easy Loader Jet Ski trailers and add cross supports and rollers. For the money, you can’t beat the Harbor Freight steel or aluminum 4’x4’ trailers if you can figure how to get one here. And material-wise, you can’t beat the galvanized 2”X2” square perforated sign posts you can buy new from Roadway Solutions in Lihu’e. Using them to build anything is like an erector set, everything is adjustable and can be bolted together, and they hold up well in our environment being galvanized.
@@kauaislash5 VERY interesting about the roadway solutions metal. The theme of this boat was build once to last forever so was hoping to make an aluminum trailer from scratch. Not even sure if I can get the metal on Oahu... kinda at an impasse... 16' long, 8 foot wide "minicat"...
@@DIYKauai Misspoke on those trailers, meant to say those kits are available from Northern Tool. The Roadway sticks are around $60 for 10’ lengths. I used to pull them out of the dump whenever I could, that was until I discovered RS was the one supplying them to the State and County and will sell to walk-ins. They also have the 6’ long I beams you see that support guard rails.
Looks like I'm two years behind on this one but great work. Electric motors are opening up a whole new world of boating in my opinion, especially for the budget minded. I rescued an old 22' cabin trailer sailor from the grave and have been rebuilding her into as flexible a fun boat as possible. She can still sail but now has fishing and crabbing abilities and with a swing keel, runs through 12" of water without scraping. I'm running with a gas outboard currently but very interested in an electric conversion.
If you are okay with slow and mellow, and can figure out a way to get some solar panels mounted (provided you’re in an area with good sun) then electric makes a lot of sense. Good on you for repurposing an old hull. My Catamaran was a salvage as well. Electric has some great maneuverability and control advantages in addition to being quiet and not smelly. The ability to turn at a very slow RPM (versus idle speed of ICE motors) and to quickly switch from forward to reverse really comes in handy and allow for precise maneuvers.
It looks interesting and fun. Shaka.
Excellent!
such a cute boat. for around here the only changes i might make would be bug netting. then roll down clear plastic front and maybe roll down tarps. a tarp from the front of the solar panels to the front of the boat allowing you to "camp" sleeping in that area at night.
great for the small rovers... though i would NOT take it out on the lake...
current weather report from the nav bouy just out side of town. 6' waves with 2.3 second frequency. weather like you you wanna hide in a sheltered cove or harbor.
I do have a soft shower curtain like camping enclosure for it that drops from inner perimeter fame of solar hardtop.
I also cruised it with this for a while, but I don’t do much river camping with it anymore.
ua-cam.com/video/UUJPw_LP7yU/v-deo.htmlsi=Hhe3tw7Y1yX57Bct
@@kauaislash5 be fun to take it up a lot of the longer rivers, it would take for ever but doing part of the great loop or traveling down some of the long canals, camping along the way could be fun.
Normally you wanna try that with bigger boats,,, but i think it would be fun to do it in something small like this or maybe a modified C-dory 16.
Excellent video 👍🏻
Awesome!!
Made from a Sol Cat 18 it appears.
What a beauty😊
Wow, sangat bagus pakai tenaga surya,sangat Ramah lingkungan,,, 👍❤👍👌
Cool cat! Are there really low bridges on the river? Is that why the panels are low?
That thing is sweet.
Why is the roof so low?
Judging by how high she sits in the water you could double the number of panels on your cool little cruiser
True, but then I wouldn’t be able to stand on the bow and pilot through river mouths and reef channels. Also nice to have a place to jump off into water and dry off in sun. I may however squeeze another two on and increase the width a bit now that I don’t have to walk the hulls to manually trim the motors. The new 30’ Cat I’m building will have 3kW of BiFacial solar covering 2/3 of the overall length similarly.
I love it
What are the motors? Interesting project. Thanks for the video.
Thanks. Build details including motor info can be found in the video description of one of my older SolGato videos
Thanks
very cool
I'm not sure I understand the steering.. to turn, do you increase speed on one side and reduce speed on the other side? If that's the case... what happens if one motor goes out?
Good question.
Yes, the boat uses forward and reverse differential thrust to propel and steer.
The more effective operation is to reduce throttle on one motor to allow the other to overtake it in order to steer as the drag of the one hull and the reduction of thrust allows the other to easily overtake the it, versus increasing throttle to overtake the other.
So “steering” the vessel means you are making minor throttle reduction adjustments to stay on course.
One of the reasons it steers so well by controlling independent thrust is because the motors are well spaced apart and directly inline and behind their respective hulls.
Because of this, it also means if you lose one motor as you inquired, the boat becomes very effective at will turning in tight circles.
If you look closely at the video you will see an aluminum bracket mounted mid rear beam. This bracket accepts a drop in rudder in case of a motor malfunction.
It is also for use with SolGato’s Crab Claw Lateen Hybrid sail rig when the motors are retracted.
About 7 minutes in you can see the rudder system in this video:
ua-cam.com/video/1DyONG2oHPg/v-deo.htmlsi=3CYvqzgvnJ2ZXAUe
@@kauaislash5 I saw that bracket in the video and figured you'd have an "emergency" rudder stayed away somewhere
just in case. LOL. Sweet ride.
Are those torqueedo motors? What size Hobie hulls?
See my other video descriptions for build details
Why retractable on the motors
@@chadpeddy Not sure if you are referring to the electric trim or the kick-up feature, but the motors can be fully trimmed out of the water and then across the whole trim range, they have the ability to kick up on impact in cases of floating/submerged obstacles or a shallow grounding. Here, common obstacles are logs and coconuts. By allowing the motors to kick, they can better absorb an impact protecting the prop and linear actuators from damage.
It's a extra cool feature, so why not.😊
You could give some data. Engine power, solar panel power, battery capacity, max speed?
Details can be found in the Description of one of my other videos featuring SolGato on my channel
better sound no oil in water i hate to say this but this is looking to be better
nice
That roof looks might low
очень неудобный крыша низко - как садиться то в него ??
Is pushing a button on a wireless remote to raise, lower and angle the top too inconvenient for you?
@@kauaislash5 я по факту - на фото видео крыша очень низко напишите максимальную высоту поднятия крыши !!!!
@@ВикторАбакумов-в4зTall roof = more windage, which = less efficiency, slower speeds, and reduced range. It also raises the CG.
The roof totally collapses with a push of the button for trailering/towing and is completely adjustable in angle to better capture sun and or reduce windage when motoring upwind which is typical when exploring rivers.
You don’t stand on this boat, you sit and lounge on it. And just like a hat, the lower the top the more shade from the sun.
👍
Wizard
That solar roof is very low, guess you have to lie down and roll in and out
Or maybe you just push a button on a wireless remote to activate the front and rear linear actuators independently to raise and lower the top or adjust its angle anywhere in between to reduce windage, better capture sun, create more shade, or completely lower it for towing/trailering?
ua-cam.com/video/1DyONG2oHPg/v-deo.htmlsi=m03caqkgh0RB1ANI
Water looks shallow water hiw nuch draft 16 feet lkng 8 fiit veam no draft
Mostly just the low aspect keel creating draft, so about 4” or so. Can take it all the way up rivers until they turn to streams.
I would triple the solar panels and upgrade the motors to an electric jet motor. Also make it taller.
That sounds like a great way to increase CG, windage, and displacement while decreasing efficiency. Go for it!
Very cool