My Solar/Electric Catamaran Project

[Jim Hawkins]

I've been tinkering with this project on and off for a couple years now. Testing different setups and I think I'm near my final product. I felt the most efficient hull to begin with was a Catamaran so when I found this old 1963 Shark I saved it from the landfill and started.
I planned to do an outboard conversion but that wasn't as easy as I thought so I also tried single and dual trolling motors. Batteries and solar panels were laid out wherever I could fit for testing.
Eventually I built the solar roof, 12 - One hundred watt panels
So today, after many trials and tribulations I will start to finish it. The setup, 1200 watts solar, three 6 volt batteries in series for 18 volts and 2 - Minn Kota 74# trolling motors with aftermarket high pitch props.
Speed will be about 5 to 6 mph and can pretty much run all day on a average sunny day.

[electrondady1]

i have an old hobi cat i have been holding on to, in hopes of getting it in the water so thanks for the inspiration .
 you don't have much deck space with that configuration.
it doesn't look like you could stand up under your panels .

i think if it was mine i would place the panels at the front between the two prows and leave the back  so you could sit and stand on a deck

[Jim Hawkins]

That pic was under construction. There is now a 4' X 9' deck between the hulls but your right, no standing. The solar roof is set so that I can still put a mast up and fly a small main or jib, even have a spinnaker. The whole project has been 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. Everything I do is a mock up until I find what I want and move onto the next step. I've assembled and unassembled this thing about six times now, each time getting further. Eventually I plan to do a small trampoline forward.

[Bruce S]

I took a closer look at the setup, why the trampoline?
Wouldn't that throw the front a bit too low and slow the craft? OR are is it more for hang around room  ?

Cheers
Bruce S