Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask Captain Alex Borton
Have you jumped on the solar power bandwagon? How about a solar powered boat? We’ve been making 100% solar boats since 2012. So if you are solar-curious, sustainability minded? If you are a long time boater who is seeking a different experience on the water? For the technology minded, solar boats offer new opportunities in green power potential. Find out more about this quiet revolution on the water.
How Far can 100% Solar Electric Boats Go?
Everyone wants to know the range. With an electric car or a regular electric boat this is an essential question. With solar boats this is an irrelevant question. Our solar boats have infinite range. On Wayward Sun we cruised 1400 miles and never plugged in. Our friends have cruised over 12,000 solar powered miles without plugging in. Solaris has been giving lighthouse tours all summer long since 2018 and has never plugged in. How is that possible? Click here for more details.
What do I Have to Learn to Own and Operate a Solar Sal Electric Boat?
Most boaters know how to maintain a diesel or gasoline engine and have learned what is necessary through time and experience. While an electric boat has significant less to maintain, there is the language of electricity to learn. Once you know about volts and amps and watts the rest is basic math. How many watts are the solar panels producing? How many watts is the motor using? How many watts is the house system using? And how many Watt hours are in the battery? With that data you can answer the questions “how far can I go?” and “at what speed?”
Can I Trailer my 100% Solar Electric Boat?
Are 100% Solar Electric Boats Hard to Maintain?
We have made the boat as easy to maintain as possible. For example there is no raw water or transmission. The motor is cooled via a closed loop keep cooler, so no raw water strainers to get clogged. Electric motors and batteries require very little maintenance. No oil changes, very few moving parts, and nothing to winterize. This greatly reduces the cost of ownership
Questions about the Townsend 34
How fast is the Townsend 34?
It depends how far you want to go. Physics tells us it takes more energy to move a vehicle faster. This is true for your car as well.
Top speed is 12-14 knots. We optimized the Townsend 34 for a cruising speed of 7.5 knots. She can maintain this speed indefinitely if you stop to charge every 4-5 days. Of course she can go forever without ever plugging in at slightly slower speeds. And 40 miles at 10 knots, so you can zip away for a quick weekend. We have all kinds of range data. Ask us for charts and graphs and spreadsheets.
Do I need special charging equipment?
No. The Townsend 34 will charge fully overnight on a standard 30 Amp service. Most folks are underway a few hours a day and stop somewhere every 4-5 days, so you can cruise comfortably at 7-8 knots and go wherever you want to go.
What about a Range Extender?
If you read the fine print you will find most other ‘electric’ cruisers rely on generators for any significant cruising range. The Townsend 34 is engineered to get the performance described above without ever burning petroleum. Of course we don’t expect you to believe us, so you are welcome to carry a portable generator while you transition to fully trusting solar energy. We all but guarantee you will leave it at the dock your second season. And if your use case really requires a generator we can build in an ultra efficient DC generator. Talk to us – we will make sure your system meets your needs and cruising style.
Can I customize my boat?
Yes! All Townsend 34s are semi custom and built to order. You can not only choose colors and the species of wood on the interior. You can customize the interior layout and of course choose the Modern or Classic style.
