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Class 6 question.

(10 posts) (6 voices)

Started 11 months ago by ShowMe
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ShowMe
Member

Chief,

Considering entering the Everglades Challenge this year after years as a spectator. Confused though. Some places on the websites say the solar electric is no longer an option. Yet the rules still have it as an option.

Is the open class with solar electric still a class? Two of us are considering using Windrider 17's. And considering the solar / electric option if it is available.

From the rules:

Class 6: Exhibition Small Craft

From time-to-time WaterTribe will include one or more exhibition classes. These will always be kayaks, canoes, or small craft but they may have other aspects outside our normal rules.

Exhibition Class boats are not considered “in the race” but must meet and follow all other rules. They must be inspected, check in on schedule, carry all required safety equipment and so on.

For example, a current exhibition class uses auxiliary electric propulsion in combination with other standard WaterTribe propulsion methods. Any boat that would normally fit in class 1-5 and has an electric motor goes in class 6. Electric/Solar Exhibition Rules:

1. Primary means of propulsion is human or wind powered.

2. Auxiliary propulsion is from an electric motor.

3. Batteries with solar panels, human powered generators, wind powered generators, or water powered generators are allowed.

4. Batteries may arrive at the starting line fully charged.

5. Once the boat is placed on the starting line NO CHARGING FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES OR SHORE POWER is allowed for the duration of the event. The only exception is solar panels that are installed on the boat and stay on or in the boat for the duration.

6. Just to be clear – NO CHARGING from internal combustion generators or shore power is allowed at any time during the event.

ShowMe

Posted 11 months ago #
Rowcat
Member

I too am wondering about that. The 20 ft expedition boat I am building is slated to have 24 volt DC brushless motor and matching electronic controller for precise controll and an APC model aircraft prop, with high end LIPO4 batteries, along with the sail, oars, and amas, and parafoil kite. Hate to put it in only to be DQed. Put another way, they are going in anyway, the only question is before the NCC or after.

Posted 11 months ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

The class 6 electric has always been considered an exhibition class. In other words it is intended to show possibilities for electric/solar power for recreational boaters. The problem is that I was talked into it by a very persuasive WaterTriber, but then nobody including the guy who talked me into it has ever actually entered the class.

If you want to enter as a class 6 electric/solar, go ahead and signup. Then contact me via email so I can get things in order.

Remember that with class 6 electric/solar you can charge all your batteries before the start using any power source you want. However, after the start the only power source allowed are solar panels. You cannot hook to any 110 power along the way.

Posted 10 months ago #
cptglen
Member

Hi Chief

I'm the other possible WR 17 entrant under the class 6 electric/solar, so, sounds like you could have a possible 3 entrys for the EC 2013 in this class.

I guess my question is if we pay our money, pass the inspection, equip our vessels with the gear, are we "In the race"

As far as the WR 17's are concerned, I think CP 1 is the big concern, and is why we are considering Class 6. We can step the mast, reduce the beam, but, they're not going to paddle or pole. If we don't have the breeze, it's not like were going to make CP 1, (In my case I have less than 2 hrs run time on a charged batt. @ 3knts) but, hate to get within several hundred yards and not be able to get it to the CP, but, also, would hate to follow all the rules, pay the money, make the CP's, and not be considered in the game or recognized.

Anyway, this is new territory, so, just wanted to get your take on this.

thanks. Glen

Posted 10 months ago #
DaveOnCudjoe
Member

Glen,

I certainly can't speak for the Chief but the EC22,numerous Sea Pearls, Lugnut's Oracle, the Tridarka Raider, numerous Hobie tandem Islands, aTornado catamaran, the Scissor trimaran, the Mosquito trimaran and others have all managed to get to chk pt 1 without a motor. I don't think that was the point of class 6. Don't sell yourself short, you can do it. I'd be more concerned about chk pt 2. Dave

Posted 10 months ago #
cptglen
Member

Fair enough.

cptglen

Posted 10 months ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

Getting to CP1 is not all that difficult and an electric motor is not going to solve that much. You still have to drop the mast and then raise it again when you exit. The new bridge means you probably don't have to reduce beam but you need to double check that. At worst can the WR17 pull in one side? Normally two guys with paddles or a simple rowing setup is more than enough to get the short distance up stream. The time under motor power could be as little as 10 minutes. It could be 30 minutes or more if you turn it on early. Relatively big power pontoon boats get up the channel.

You might get much more use at CP2. Depending on conditions and the batteries you could use an electric motor for the entire Indian Key pass and the final approach to Choko. But again, many boats at the limit of our "filter" rules have made this passage without a motor.

If you, "pay our money, pass the inspection, equip our vessels with the gear " you are in the race, but you are in class 6 which is exhibition. That means you could not be the Overall winner, but if you have 3 boats in the class, you guys are racing each other. You will show up in the Rogues Gallery as finishing a challenge if you get to Key Largo. However, I cannot be held responsible for all the ribbing you might take after a few beers at the finish line :)

Seriously, I'd enjoy seeing some class 6 electric/solar and hearing how it worked for you. It seems like a good option for daily sailing. Please note that I would still expect to see some paddles and/or rowing ability just in case you need it.

Posted 10 months ago #
mistermoon
Member

LOL. If I can row my pig of a boat back out from CP1, back under the Gasparilla bridge and around the point to the public ramp across the street from Grande Tours, all against wind and tide after finishing the UM in 2012, I think two people should be able to paddle a WR up to the CP. You are *way* overthinking things, I think.

What would have been nice this year would have been to be in class 6 with a motor powerful enough to power under the ICW drawbridges against wind and current. I struck my rig three times on the first day in order to walk my boat under the bridges. There was too much wind from the wrong direction and too much foul current to be able to row or sail under.

Posted 10 months ago #
cptglen
Member

Ok guys, got it. Just a point, their would be 2 WR 17's entering, single capt. in each boat, not 1 and a couple of guys. Once again, thanks for the advice. We were considering elect. to, play with the technology, as we both tinker alot, love the solar/elect. option and are always trying new things, and since the WR's paddle like a tub, thought it might be fun to take a run at it.

Hey, if you have 2 boats running in a class, it's a race :)

Thanks again for the advice.

Posted 10 months ago #
ShowMe
Member

Chief,

Thanks for the reply and confirming our intention to do the Class 6 option. As Glen "cptglen" has said we are each planning to campaign Windrider 17’s solo. However, lest anyone think our prime motivation is that we don’t think we can accomplish the EC without an electric motor it is more an opportunity to explore different options. At 70 I have done my share of paddling and small boat sailing expeditions /competitions. Now I’m looking for more civilized ways to allow more trips and adventures for the next decade. Good health willing.

Yet utilizing solar/electric propulsion will provide other challenges. It is not going to be simple to outfit the boat properly to provide reliable and effective electric propulsion. Especially, to do so without compromising seaworthiness . If we are successful, I share your hope that it will provide others with the incentive to try other interesting options in this direction. Another component of the challenge will be to consider more options regarding route selection.

Except for the lowering of the mast at CP1, I concur that CP2 would be the greater challenge. I’ve paddled that area in a kayak and also sailed and motored the area. The passage is doable. In fact March 7 & 8 of 2005 I spent a couple days anchored and watching EC folks coming through. The tide was going out and some anchored or camped the night. Others went right through.

Like Glen says, we like to tinker and are into alternate energy. (I’ll be using recycled vegetable oil for the road trip, as I do at least once a year towing some kind of boat to Florida ) So we will see what we come up with. Plans now, are to primarily use off the shelf propulsion, but trying to balance the solar charging w/ample battery capacity for this year.

I hope others will join us as it would be nice to have a enough for a class. Also to get more ideas from others. As for the kidding – we’ll survive.

I am also considering the NCC in September. Not decided on it yet. Either the NCC or a week on Lake Powell. It is good to have two attractive options.

Scott

MoWndr

Posted 10 months ago #

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