> From: "Roman Black" <fastvid@EZY.NET.AU>

> I'm still preferring the sail idea. Less cost in solar, and it sails
> through the night. I also think the sail will provide more thrust
> on average for the boat size than solar.

> Isn't there some guys here who are expert at building model boats?
> What size electric motors have you guys used, to power what size
> boats, and how fast? Can you give a rough idea of how many watts
> needed for a boat of the expected size, and how strong are the
> currents and wind drag? Solar power in the atlantic will be down,
> maybe 100w/day/square meter or even less.
>
> I mean the idea of a little solar powered boat zooming from country
> to country is cool, but what if the physics of the thing leave it
> with only 10% of the power needed to beat the ocean currents? It would
> be more like a buoy and the motor would be pretty useless...


The Gulf Stream is the main current the boat will encounter, it runs up the
east coast of the US and then heads out NE-wards past Newfoundland. Max
speed is about 2 m/sec, about 4-5 knots I think that is.  After that it
heads off towards Scotland and Iceland, slowing as it goes. Partway across
it splits and one leg heads southwards at low speed.

I'm no Vasco de Gama, but I think a small solar-powered boat is going to go
to Iceland whatever you try to do with it. Coming back might be trickier.

As for sails, maybe the rigid aerofoil type sails that are fitted to some
big freighters and tankers might be a good idea, they're more steerable and
more weather resistant than fabric types.








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