Solar sailor

A symbol for a greener world or a white elephant? Will Volitan make it off the drawing board?

Volitan

Designed specifically as a symbol to raise awareness about sustainable use of resources at sea, Volitan is a new concept sail-vessel that consumes no fuel, but instead uses alternative energies. Her name comes from "flying fish" and at 105ft in length she would certainly catch your attention; though her 92ft wing span may cast a shadow over any cordial relationship currently enjoyed with your next-berth neighbours!

Fortunately Volitan's sails, or solar wings for they act simultaneously as both, do fold in, as do her stabilising out-riggers, to give her a more 'slender' minimum width of 25ft.

The dual-face moving solid sails harness two abundant, and free, energy sources: solar and wind power. In standard conditions, Volitan is predicted to reach an average of 12 -14 knot per/hour under wind power whilst she charges her batteries.

The use of wind power makes it possible to sail during both day and night. During the day the double layer of high-performance flexible photo-voltaic panels, fitted to both sides of the scarbon fibre sails, also harvest solar energy.

The solar cell panels charge the batteries, which in turn power the electric motors and drive the side propellers.

The boat's sails move automatically to track the sun for optimal solar collection, and to track the wind for optimal sail power.

In extreme wind situations, they fold up against the boat. She is engineered to operate in 60 knots of wind with a 300 percent margin of safety.

The requirement to store large amounts of electricity to drive the onboard systems and motor units had to be balanced by the need to keep the craft lightweight, so critical in the boat's design was the replacement of bulky and heavy traditional batteries.

The cells specified for Volitan are 'service-free' sealed units with an open cell, deep-cycle design. They will provide a high number of charge/discharge cycles and a longer life. The batteries are also cleverly placed in the bottom of the keel bulb, saving space and utilising their weight for ballast.

Volitan's stabilising outrigger wings move to counteract the movement of the sails and ensure the craft remains stable when underway. The stabilising wings also house the two DC motors that utilise the stored solar energy to supplement, or replace, wind power during light airs.

There is accommodation for eight aboard Volitan on the original designs, although a custom layout could no doubt be catered for should the craft ever see production. The current configuration consists of two double cabins and four singles, positioned mainly in the centre and bow of the craft but all leading onto a common TV lounge.

After you'll find a spacious galley, bar and the main saloon. An additional bunk is available in the main control centre and bridge for crew to rest during ‘soft watch' periods.

Unfortunately, as a concept craft, Volitan exists only on the drawing boards of Turkish design gurus Designnobis. A dream boat it may be, but here's to hoping we one day see the solar sailor become a reality.

www.designnobis.com