Solar powered Yachts

[ThomasFlyer]

Anyone here owner of a solar powered yacht or boat?

How is it owning a solar powered boat (Maintenance cost, etc).

Are they practical?

I'm not a green nut but if I can play part in helping good'ol mother nature,
I'm up for it.

Thanks!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

All sailboats are solar powered. Once the aux is off that is.

 

[pmagowan]

What do you mean by solar powered? Many boats have solar panels. Most sailing boats are 'wind powered' which is a form of solar power. I don't see that mother nature has a lot to do with it. Maybe if you are more specific someone might be able to help you

 

[RAI]

You mean something like this?
http://yachtpals.com/planetsolar-mega-yacht-9035

 

[GrahamD]

Not sure about solar powered, but wind powered might catch on!

 

[ThomasFlyer]

Thanks for the replies guys - ha!

I meant solar panel powered. I won't mind investing in one but this would be a long term investment for me so love to hear if someone has a solar panel powered boat (Ownership costs, etc).

 

[RAI]

I won't mind investing in one but this would be a long term investment for me so love to hear if someone has a solar panel powered boat (Ownership costs, etc).

Investment is the wrong word for any boat. The question is how much pleasure can you derive from spending your money.

 

[ThomasFlyer]

Investment is the wrong word for any boat. The question is how much pleasure can you derive from spending your money.

Agreed. However, I'm a very thrifty person as well and like to look at things from a long term perspective. Solar power isn't as mainstream as a hybrid vehicle for example. That is why I'm a little hesitant.

 

[RAI]

I don't think solar is adequate for propulsion yet. There have been several attempts. There is a live-aboard barge relying on solar energy, There is a German catamaran that's attempting a round the world trip, I'm not sure how far its got. That super yacht seems to have ended up in Lorient, France, as an exhibit. Diesel still seems the most economic for propulsion. Hybrid is another story. Nigel Calder has a new experimental Malo yacht that is about as far as one can go.