Solar-Powered motor boat test-model build

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hi Guys,

I have a request that I hope someone on the forum can help me out with.

I am currently working on an interesting project to build a motor boat that is solely powered by solar power which will be 5m long.

I am at the stage of constructing the test model which is only 1m long and I could do with a bit of assistance. My area of expertise is in the eletronics and mechanics and I've never attempted to build from scratch.

What I'd like to do to add some efficiency and cut down on time for my project is hire someone's time who has the experience and expertise to build the hull using ply. As I say, I'm willing to pay for your time if you are interested.

I wanted to post the 3D design of the boat here for you all to see and excite your senses but I can't find out how to upload images from my pc. Maybe someone can help me with this?

I have the plan and the pieces already and just require someone who can help me put it together. And they must live in the UK as this is where I am!

Thanks for your time and I hope someone can help me with this

I look forward to hear from you.

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Welcome Mitchell,

to post pictures you first need to create an album.

HOW? This will tell you.

In the bar above your initial post you will see 'search for' [under All Topics / Latest Posts] – type in the word pictures and hit GO (all topics). That will take you to several threads where newbies have asked the same question "how to post pictures" and you should if you follow them be able to progress.

Saves us doing it all again.

Sounds interesting, I know there are several very big boats solar powered, does 5m have the room and surface area?

Kimmo

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

There we go! Thanks Kimosubby!

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Thanks very much for helping me out with photo posting. See, I'm pretty good with tech stuff(if something lazy as I didn't check the FAQs first).

Yes, 5m is fine for what I'm doing. The boat will be autonomous similar to the Scout transatlantic challenge attempt.

Hopefully there will be someone on the forum that can help me out.

Posted by Kimosubby Shipyards on 05/08/2015 18:34:31:

Welcome Mitchell,

to post pictures you first need to create an album.

HOW? This will tell you.

In the bar above your initial post you will see 'search for' [under All Topics / Latest Posts] – type in the word pictures and hit GO (all topics). That will take you to several threads where newbies have asked the same question "how to post pictures" and you should if you follow them be able to progress.

Saves us doing it all again.

Sounds interesting, I know there are several very big boats solar powered, does 5m have the room and surface area?

Kimmo

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Mitchell

Do you have any more detailed design work other than the free ship images?

On first impression I would anticipate that the shape of the hull would require a multi piece internal frame to maintain the many complex curves and this frame might conflict with the internal mechanics / electronics.

There is also a world of difference between a 1m and a 5m boat, its not just a case of simply scaling up sizes and sections. Keeping sufficient strength in a 5m boat would require a completely different internal design to a 1m version.

As an autonomous craft where will be operating

Paul

pm sent

 

Edited By Paul T on 05/08/2015 20:53:20

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

That hull shape came as a big suprise to me for a solar powered boat. I’d love to hear and understand the thinking behind it.

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hi Paul,

I've sent you a PM but wanted to address your questions for the benefit of the other posters.

I do have detailed design plans for whoever can follow them to build my model. This does take into account the complexity of the curved design.

I have a separate design for the 5m full-size version which will be modified based on the results of the tests ran on the 1m model.

The autonomous model will be operating at sea.

Thanks,

Mitch

Posted by Paul T on 05/08/2015 20:48:14:

Hello Mitchell

Do you have any more detailed design work other than the free ship images?

On first impression I would anticipate that the shape of the hull would require a multi piece internal frame to maintain the many complex curves and this frame might conflict with the internal mechanics / electronics.

There is also a world of difference between a 1m and a 5m boat, its not just a case of simply scaling up sizes and sections. Keeping sufficient strength in a 5m boat would require a completely different internal design to a 1m version.

As an autonomous craft where will be operating

Paul

pm sent

Edited By Paul T on 05/08/2015 20:53:20

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for your question, however, at this stage, I am only looking for someone to build the model I have posted from the design plans that I have.

Please rest assured that the design has been thoroughly thought through.

Thanks again,

Mitch

Posted by Charles Oates on 05/08/2015 23:19:44:
That hull shape came as a big suprise to me for a solar powered boat. I'd love to hear and understand the thinking behind it.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mitch

Thank you for your pm.

You certainly do seem to have fully thought this through and it will be a very stimulating project to be involved with.

One further question: Do you own the copyright to the basic design?

Paul

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hiya Paul,

I personally own all rights to all images and designs yes.

Mitch

Posted by Paul T on 06/08/2015 10:38:15:

Hi Mitch

Thank you for your pm.

You certainly do seem to have fully thought this through and it will be a very stimulating project to be involved with.

One further question: Do you own the copyright to the basic design?

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mitch

A couple of years ago this would have been right up my street but my current state of health means that I wouldn't want to undertake the construction work.

I am sure that someone else would be willing to do the work.

If you are free this August Bank holiday you could pop along to the Model Boat Convention at Haydock where you will meet wall to wall model boat builders.

Paul

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Thanks anyway Paul and I hope your health improves.

I'll see what I'm doing Bank Holiday and may pop down so thanks for the tip!

If anyone else can help with the build, please let me know guys!

Posted by Paul T on 06/08/2015 12:37:47:

Hi Mitch

A couple of years ago this would have been right up my street but my current state of health means that I wouldn't want to undertake the construction work.

I am sure that someone else would be willing to do the work.

If you are free this August Bank holiday you could pop along to the Model Boat Convention at Haydock where you will meet wall to wall model boat builders.

Paul

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi Mitchel

I shall watch you build with interest, as my first build on this forum was a solar powered side wheeler. Whilst not a roaring success, some what a little slow, she none the less did work under sunlight alone . I used a very efficient slow turning motor (60ish rpm) direct drive. She had a large capacitor to carry through cloudy patches, but no drive motor batteries. Much smaller than what you have in mind though! Best of luck with finding a builder.

Amy jane

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Thanks Amy Jane!

Much appreciated! I'll keep you updated with progress!

Posted by Amy jane September on 07/08/2015 09:19:39:

Hi Mitchel

I shall watch you build with interest, as my first build on this forum was a solar powered side wheeler. Whilst not a roaring success, some what a little slow, she none the less did work under sunlight alone . I used a very efficient slow turning motor (60ish rpm) direct drive. She had a large capacitor to carry through cloudy patches, but no drive motor batteries. Much smaller than what you have in mind though! Best of luck with finding a builder.

Amy jane

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Also, in case, I can't find anyone on here who can help personally, if any of you could recommend friends and friends of friends if you think they might be interested, that would be a big help too!

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

How much power is predicted to be available from the solar panels?

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hi Dodgy Geezer.

The solar panels have been calculated for the full-size version only.

What I'm looking for here is only someone to help me with the build of the test model.

Thanks

Posted by Dodgy Geezer on 07/08/2015 21:33:35:

How much power is predicted to be available from the solar panels?

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Is there really no one on this forum who can help? I thought this would be THE place to find someone up for doing something interesting and earning a few bob in the process.

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

I count just over three days since your first post. Do you really think that's time for every one to have read your post? I sometimes have gaps of over three weeks before I get to catch up on the forum. I expect someone is giving it some thought, but beware Newton's third law – the harder you push the larger the resistance. It is, after all, a hobby.

Aye Kim.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Mitch

Perhaps you are using the wrong bait to attract a builder, a skilled person of the calibre that you require will already be doing interesting things and would probably not be swayed by the prospect of earning a few bob.

In fact the offer of 'a few bob' might be putting people off: for example I am more than capable of building both the 1m and 5m boats but I would be asking £20 p/hour for my time (which is half what I would have normally expected) there are other equally skilled builders on this forum who would also be expecting an equal level of recompense.

Could you assemble the boat yourself if the parts were pre-cut by CNC?

Paul

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Thanks Kimosubby. You're absolutely right. I am being a bit impatient. "Bull at a gate" comes to mind.

I didn't realise it had been only 3 days.

Posted by Kimosubby Shipyards on 09/08/2015 10:26:26:

I count just over three days since your first post. Do you really think that's time for every one to have read your post? I sometimes have gaps of over three weeks before I get to catch up on the forum. I expect someone is giving it some thought, but beware Newton's third law – the harder you push the larger the resistance. It is, after all, a hobby.

Aye Kim.

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply. I only offered the recompense of paying for a person's time as I wouldn't be so presumptious as to expect someone to give up their time for free. I have been fortunate to have some amazing individuals do work for me in the past for free also, either to be part of unique projects or because it's something that floats their boat(on form with the puns today).

I haven't specified what I would or wouldn't consider paying for someone's time who has expertise in boat building. I always look to work with the best people with great attitudes towards what they do and this can cost which I fully expect. Just for the record, £20/hr doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

I could probably assemble the boat myself as I already have the parts pre-cut but it would take me alot longer to complete the task as I would be learning on the job and there is the higher probability of costly mistakes made by a novice which I would prefer not to occur.

Thanks as always for the advice,

Mitch

Posted by Paul T on 09/08/2015 10:52:31:

Hello Mitch

Perhaps you are using the wrong bait to attract a builder, a skilled person of the calibre that you require will already be doing interesting things and would probably not be swayed by the prospect of earning a few bob.

In fact the offer of 'a few bob' might be putting people off: for example I am more than capable of building both the 1m and 5m boats but I would be asking £20 p/hour for my time (which is half what I would have normally expected) there are other equally skilled builders on this forum who would also be expecting an equal level of recompense.

Could you assemble the boat yourself if the parts were pre-cut by CNC?

Paul

[Mitchell LearyParticipant @mitchellleary52385]

Just a quick one to everyone if you were considering contacting me re: the work I have requested help with; The carbon-fibre skin that I would cover the hull with is not a requirement for the work that I'm asking for help with as I can find someone to complete this task at a later date alot easier than someone who can help with the build.

Hope you're all having a good Sunday!

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Mitch,

Essentially this is a Forum for people who enjoy model making as a leisure interest. Most of us are probably simply not interested in doing it for money as a commission so you may not find that there is all that much interest in undertaking commissions although there are always exceptions. There is certainly no harm in asking but don't raise your expectations too high.

Colin

[Author]

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