Solar powered Amp Eater

[Seaside]

Dave,

Wow! Your boat looks great! I enjoyed reading through this thread and seeing the pictures of your progress.

[CaptDave]

Thanks Seaside!

I haven't accomplished much of anything except for giving boat rides to all who went on our great american eclipse camping trip this past weekend at Old Hickory Lake about 30 miles east of Nashville TN. The temperature was in the 90's but we still managed about 2-1/2 to 3 hours of boat rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Running most of the time at 30 amps and 5 mph with a full load most trips we used a total of 2450 watt hours. According to the volt meter we had about a 60% charge remaining but according to the power meter probably only about 55% remaining. We had a lot of fun for only about 25 cents in energy costs. (probably closer to 50 cents since my charger is not all that efficient)

We were in a primitive campsite and did not have electricity so I couldn't charge my batteries overnight - but as it turns out I didn't need to!

Stay tuned for pics

[rleete]

Is this all off a single battery?

[hoodman]

So you actually cruised for 5-6 hours and still have 50%+ in battery capacity? That sounds pretty much ideal to me! I would imagine your boat would be amazing for trolling fishing.

[CaptDave]

Yes, All off a single charge. My 4 - 232 amp hour 6 volt batteries have a total of 5568 watt hours of power. The hull is extremely efficient at 5 mph and below. I am very pleased about the battery life.

[CaptDave]

I haven't gotten a fishing license this year but will definitely do some fishing next year.
Here is a Picture of Capt.Dave and ens.Wayne taking a cruise.

Aquatron pulling away from the dock with a full complement.

You can see the sonar transducer at the lower part of the transom from this angle.

Side View. Umbrella provides shade for the ladies.

[CaptDave]

My 1000/6000 whetstone arrived this week and I look forward to putting a razor edge on my plane and begin to prepare the sheers and carlings for deck installation. The next few weekends until the gathering I have some big choices to make: Work on the boat or take it out on the lake....

[rbrandenstein]

Dave,
Congratulations on your build and successful launch. It looks great! I wish we could make the gathering this year to see it in person. Hopefully we'll make G12.

[CaptDave]

I couldn't let labor day go by without getting the boat in the water.We launched about 9:30 a.m. and went for on a 4-1/2 hour bird watching expedition. We covered about 20 miles. Some places we were going really slow to get closer to the birds and some of the inlets we followed were really shallow so I was keeping and eye on the depth gauge.
I forgot to reset the GPS trip odometer but I have traveled a total of 41.7 miles in the Aquatron since it was launched. I have used a little over 5400 watt hours of power. 130 watt hours per mile equates to roughly 269 mpg. Not bad economy if you don't mind running about 5 mph. Top speed recorded by GPS so far is 6.4 mph. (probably down stream with the wind at our back)

See our youtube video of cruising north along the east bank of the reservoir at nearly 5.5 mph.

https://youtu.be/4UNF5qPk0ys

[vupilot]

40 miles already! Thats awesome! You might be having too much fun to finish the deck!

So at 5mph if you leave hales bar marina at 6am you should be able to make Chattanooga in time for lunch at Big River Grill for the river run
At 20 mph I wont be departing too much after you. The big dogs seem to run about 30-35mph.

[CaptDave]

This will probably be the last time out before the gathering. We got the boat back home with plenty of daylight to spare so I got to work. I have a lot to do before the gathering in 2 weeks.
I put my newly sharpened plane to work and faired the carlings and sheer to be ready to install the deck. After planing I sanded using a long board with a 80 grit sanding belt on it to make sure everything was true.

Planing and sanding is a good way to work up a sweat. Also it is a good work out for the arms.

P.S. Chris, I think I will hitch a ride on something faster to Chattanooga for lunch. I want to get home before dark.

[CaptDave]

I began cutting the 3/8" marine plywood for the deck. It will be cut in 4 pieces and the plans show how to get them all out of one piece so here goes.

Placing the first section

Checking the fit

[attachment=]20170906_193215.jpg[/attachment]
We got a good start on the deck this evening. I hope to finish cutting all the pieces Friday evening.

[hoodman]

Nice, Dave. Glad you were able to get your plane sharp. Sorry I'll miss your fine creating at G11 this year. It was cool to see the unfinished product last year.

[vupilot]

Nice!

[mrintense]

Looking good Dave. Adding the fore deck is one of those tasks that gives cool visual progress results.