{"id":9657,"date":"2017-06-01T09:59:47","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T07:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/?p=9657"},"modified":"2019-01-28T14:04:40","modified_gmt":"2019-01-28T12:04:40","slug":"fastest-boats-under-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.victronenergy.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/01\/fastest-boats-under-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Fastest Boats under the Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Eneco\u00a0ZonnebootRace<\/a>\u00a0must be the quietest boat race in the world. No gas-guzzling engines; no thrashing sails – just the purr of an electric motor …powered by the sun. Some of these youth boats can reach speeds of 20 km\/h.<\/p>\n

The annual event has a number of different classes and one of them is particularly challenging: Open to 14 – 17 year olds, entrants must first build their own boat!\u00a0<\/p>\n

The class is called Young Solar Challenge<\/a>.\u00a0Is it the drive for speed? is it the fascinating technology behind these craft? or is it the sense of achievement gained through building a boat that drew 24 teams to enter home-built craft in the competition which ran on the 26th and 27th May at Akkrum, Friesland, Holland?<\/p>\n

Everything about this race is an ideal learning opportunity for young people. Boatbuilding takes the mind to an entirely new plane: The shape of the hull teaches us that we must work with nature; to ensure water-tight integrity we must pay attention to detail; and in order to be fast – yet safe, we must build strength into the hull, whilst minimising weight. And the power-train – instantly converting the sun’s energy into ‘drive’ – teaches us the practical science behind using natural resources.<\/p>\n

When the boat is finally launched and sitting on the water like a swan, the sense of achievement brings with it a can-do attitude which will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Using 2 x 55 Ah batteries, the Victron Energy\u00a0 MPPT 75\/15<\/a> and 24\/7A charger<\/a>\u00a0two races are run \u00a0– one for speed (with a winning time by Bogerman Sneek<\/a> of\u00a01 minute 18 seconds); the other tests endurance (with a winning time achieved by\u00a0d \u0301Oultremontcollege<\/a> of 1 hour 9 minutes).\u00a0The competition is open to all students \u2013 details, prices and kits are available from:\u00a0The Young Solar Challenge<\/a>. …Each year the number of participating teams grows.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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News from this event, and of future events, can be followed on their Facebook Page<\/a> where you can also register your interest to attend upcoming events:<\/p>\n