My budget solar/electric full size boat project.

[Turbo Dan-O]

Something I've been playing with for a little while. Thought you guys might get a kick out of it. I started playing with a small paddle boat and added a trolling motor and a couple of solar panels to it. It really worked out well, but the small size and horrible hull shape became a brick wall. I wanted to take this project to the next level so I picked up a 1976 Newport 17' sailboat. Now we're talking! We now have an RC rescue boat that can carry ALL of our gear, charge batteries, take us to islands/calm water and you can even sleep on it! All built out of simple, low budget parts. Here's some pictures of our new float "Current Situation".

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[fweasel]

Best... Recovery... Boat... Ever.

[larryrose11]

what is the power setup in there now?
What batteries and Solar equipment?

[Turbo Dan-O]

Here's the current setup. Not breaking any speed records, but it's efficient and get us where we want to go even in a little wind and current.

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Minn Kota 30lb that has been gutted and redone with a 40 amp PWM and 10 awg wire. Using APC model airplane props and a spinner. Still playing with different ones, but the 11x6 seems to be a good balance between speed and efficiency.

Solar power is two 120 watt flexible panels in parallel and a 20 amp MPPT controller.

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Batteries are two 24 series lead acid deep cycles in parallel. Tucked under the seats.

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