The Labrador catamaran project has been conceived of as a combination research/education program, with all of the overlapping activities which that statement implies. The opportunities to learn and teach go in multiple directions, which is the best way to conduct any educational process. Also, this project and its' programs have the potential to evolve with each phase of development, which is the mark of a good scientific study program. Of course, the effectiveness of the process is increased when future vessels are developed using knowledge gained from this project, but that is a subject for another day.
The essential elements of programming with the Labrador catamaran are:
1) The boat is to be available in a ready to use condition, with multiple attachment points for engines and other equipment. A detailed drawing of the boat and attachment points will be provided in advance for the participants.
2) Safety equipment and a chase boat will also be provided.
3) All operators of the Labrador during testing will be appropriately licensed (i.e. Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate).
4) Schools will be invited to field teams of students to compete in an energy-efficiency testing program. Competitions will be held for students at the middle school, high school, and college levels.
5) The premise of these competitions will be to determine energy use efficiency in terms of: distance, and speed over distance. Each team will be given a set amount of energy (initially is gasoline) to work with, and will be tasked to come up with the engine, drive train, propeller, etc., which will move the Labrador the greatest distance. From that rough parameter and the baseline of information acquired, a series of contests will evolve, each building on the results of the preceding round of contests. These will include:
*allowing the energy input to be measured in kilowatts, thus allowing alternative energy sources (biofuels, batteries, etc.,) to be used
*allowing external energy inputs (wind, solar, etc.)
*making and testing significant changes to the hull design of the Labrador (lift foils, changes to hull shape). Ultimately, the most efficient modifications will be made "permanent", with input used for the development of a second generation vessel
6) Further testing of propulsion and other design concepts will be carried out in rougher sea conditions, to ascertain viability of concepts in "real world" conditions.
7) Finally, as part of the development and funding of this program, it will be a primary goal to provide competitive scholarship funding, logistical support for school fundraising efforts, and/or prize monies to winning teams for the purpose of continuing studies into energy-efficiency design and engineering.
Within this working format, it is expected that several further streams of study and educational opportunities will emerge. Amongst these are:
a) Opportunities for older students to act as mentors for younger students
b) The ability to develop basic mathematical models and projections on the potential effects of energy efficient recreational and commercial watercraft on environmental and economic trajectories
This project and program concept is in its early stages, and the final program will need to be developed in detail to bring it fully on line. At this point the input of potential participants is the primary need, to move this process along to the next active stage. For this purpose, inquiries may be directed to: Jon Persson at: jonpersson7@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Building A Good Program
Building a good program around the Labrador catamaran requires two fundamental things:
1) The basic boat, equipment, structural components, testing equipment, safety gear, etc., needs to be fully operational.
2) There needs to be a program-format which provides safety and guidance, but no artificial restrictions, for student projects and research programs.
Finishing and equipping the boat is simply a matter of hours and materials, ideally working in a reasonable workspace. There are some costs involved here, of course, which can be dispersed over a wide enough audience to keep individual participant costs low. Also, some grant writing and fundraising for the project is anticipated. Details of amounts of work, materials, equipment, and so on, will be forthcoming in some later posts.
Setting up good teaching/research programs is also fairly straightforward, but does require a considerable level of attention to details of consistency, recording, weather conditions, and so on. The ability to calculate vessel weight and speeds is vitally important. Also, there should be consideration of chase boat availability for more radical experiments, especially hybrid wind-power concepts.
The next post will begin to break down the material and worklist aspects of getting this program up and started.
1) The basic boat, equipment, structural components, testing equipment, safety gear, etc., needs to be fully operational.
2) There needs to be a program-format which provides safety and guidance, but no artificial restrictions, for student projects and research programs.
Finishing and equipping the boat is simply a matter of hours and materials, ideally working in a reasonable workspace. There are some costs involved here, of course, which can be dispersed over a wide enough audience to keep individual participant costs low. Also, some grant writing and fundraising for the project is anticipated. Details of amounts of work, materials, equipment, and so on, will be forthcoming in some later posts.
Setting up good teaching/research programs is also fairly straightforward, but does require a considerable level of attention to details of consistency, recording, weather conditions, and so on. The ability to calculate vessel weight and speeds is vitally important. Also, there should be consideration of chase boat availability for more radical experiments, especially hybrid wind-power concepts.
The next post will begin to break down the material and worklist aspects of getting this program up and started.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Energy Useage Studies
One of the obvious and most interesting potential uses for the Labrador catamaran has always been to do a number of studies concerning energy use by recreational and commercial vessels. This has always been thought of as a combination educational/experimental program, since it offers many opportunities to demonstrate the advantages of technology and design to students, while also providing some data-streams for the possible development of new energy-conservation systems.
First amongst these is the ability to compare a highly efficient catamaran with more conventional single-hulled boats. There needs to be a set criteria for such studies, specifically relating to: use of vessels, number of passengers, weight carried, distances traveled, desired/required speeds, etc. Labrador incorporates some rather unique features in her hull design, which were intended to enhance low-speed use while still allowing higher speeds. This basic concept still needs to be tested, and will add to the bank of knowledge regarding motorized vessels.
Being a catamaran, Labrador has tremendous stability and open deck area; she also has significant in-hull storage and even seating space. This will allow a crew of at least six people (realistically more) to use this boat. However, it will be interesting to ascertain the limits of crew weight versus performance; it is to be seen just how much load this boat can effectively handle. This becomes more relavent when we consider the use of efficient multihulls for such things as passenger carrying and commercial fishing, where rising energy costs and the need for speed are increasingly in conflict.
Another area of particular interest is to hold a contest between various schools and groups to see who can make this boat go the farthest on, say, a quart of gasoline (or the equivalent in other fuels). It would be interesting to see what combination of hybrids, propellors, transmissions, fuels, fuel injections, etc., would be most efficient. This can be further extended to award points for the highest speed over a set distance. Such testing requires that the tests be conducted in the early morning calm of a quiet stretch of lake or river. It would be ideal if some form of sponsorship were secured to award winning schools a cash prize for further study in matters of energy conservation.
As we enter this new era of energy austerity, it is of particular importance and value that our young people see first hand the positive effect and the sustainable advantage of applying advanced principles of design to our everyday needs. This is the course of the future, and any contact with such concepts in a real world setting will only help instill the principles and practices in young people that they will need to succeed and excel in the future.
First amongst these is the ability to compare a highly efficient catamaran with more conventional single-hulled boats. There needs to be a set criteria for such studies, specifically relating to: use of vessels, number of passengers, weight carried, distances traveled, desired/required speeds, etc. Labrador incorporates some rather unique features in her hull design, which were intended to enhance low-speed use while still allowing higher speeds. This basic concept still needs to be tested, and will add to the bank of knowledge regarding motorized vessels.
Being a catamaran, Labrador has tremendous stability and open deck area; she also has significant in-hull storage and even seating space. This will allow a crew of at least six people (realistically more) to use this boat. However, it will be interesting to ascertain the limits of crew weight versus performance; it is to be seen just how much load this boat can effectively handle. This becomes more relavent when we consider the use of efficient multihulls for such things as passenger carrying and commercial fishing, where rising energy costs and the need for speed are increasingly in conflict.
Another area of particular interest is to hold a contest between various schools and groups to see who can make this boat go the farthest on, say, a quart of gasoline (or the equivalent in other fuels). It would be interesting to see what combination of hybrids, propellors, transmissions, fuels, fuel injections, etc., would be most efficient. This can be further extended to award points for the highest speed over a set distance. Such testing requires that the tests be conducted in the early morning calm of a quiet stretch of lake or river. It would be ideal if some form of sponsorship were secured to award winning schools a cash prize for further study in matters of energy conservation.
As we enter this new era of energy austerity, it is of particular importance and value that our young people see first hand the positive effect and the sustainable advantage of applying advanced principles of design to our everyday needs. This is the course of the future, and any contact with such concepts in a real world setting will only help instill the principles and practices in young people that they will need to succeed and excel in the future.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Labrador Catamaran Project
The Labrador catamaran project began some years back with the intention of producing a vessel suitable for making an extended cruise along the Labrador coast with a single crew member (thus the name, Labrador). Unfortunately the project had to be suspended and the passage never took place. The catamaran hulls survive, however, and are ready to be used for a wide number of worthwhile, knowledge building projects and programs.
First, a brief description of the original concept and the resulting potential of these hulls. The intent was to build a vessel that would have a cruising range of 1200 miles on 48 gallons of gasoline, at an average speed of five knots. It was estimated that 1.3 horsepower would provide that base speed, and the plan was to outfit the boat with two, 3 horsepower, 4 stroke outboards. The additional horsepower would be to overcome headwinds, while various ideas for a simple offwind sail were to be included.
The hulls themselves, 21'9" in length, are double-ended (there are a couple of theories behind the hull design; this was above all else an experimental design). Construction is Divinycell foam core, with 12 oz. biaxial fabric (two layers outside, one inside, set in vinylester resin). They are constructed with the rocky beaches of Labrador in mind, though still light enough to be useful for much experimental work.
Programs and uses for which this vessel would be well suited once completed include:
1) energy use comparisons with conventional vessels
*with consistent load/passengers
*at comparable speeds
*in various sea conditions
2) various engine/power train systems
*gasoline outboards (2 and 4 stroke)
*electric
*hybrids
*experimental power trains
3) propeller systems
*standard
*surface-penetrating
*fins, paddles, etc.
4) wind power
*standards sails
*wing sails
*rotors
*etc.
5) solar energy
*solar voltaic
*hybrids systems
6) foil studies
*rudder design
*leeboard etc. design
*lift foils
Finishing out and setting up these hulls to make a complete and viable testing and functioning catamaran will require:
structural work, including minor fiberglassing, adding resin to the hulls
*fit, fillet, and glass tape structural bulkheads
*fill, fair, and paint hull exteriors
*paint or gelcoat interiors
*build deck connections, cross members. decking
*build in multiple hardware and testing connection points
*fiberglass and paint decking as needed
*build seats, steering station, rails, hatches, etc.
*install deck hardware
Further uses envisioned for this project include:
i) general purpose boat for classes, onwater programs
ii) water quality testing and study, especially in shoal waters
iii)research platform
iv) dive boat
v) camp support boat
vi) chase boat/safety boat
vii) long range cruiser, to test the concept
Comments and ideas regarding the Labrador project are welcome at this blogspot. The plan is to organize, instigate, initiate, and otherwise facilitate the completion and extended use of this vessel in keeping with the spirit of trying and teaching the elements of new ideas.
First, a brief description of the original concept and the resulting potential of these hulls. The intent was to build a vessel that would have a cruising range of 1200 miles on 48 gallons of gasoline, at an average speed of five knots. It was estimated that 1.3 horsepower would provide that base speed, and the plan was to outfit the boat with two, 3 horsepower, 4 stroke outboards. The additional horsepower would be to overcome headwinds, while various ideas for a simple offwind sail were to be included.
The hulls themselves, 21'9" in length, are double-ended (there are a couple of theories behind the hull design; this was above all else an experimental design). Construction is Divinycell foam core, with 12 oz. biaxial fabric (two layers outside, one inside, set in vinylester resin). They are constructed with the rocky beaches of Labrador in mind, though still light enough to be useful for much experimental work.
Programs and uses for which this vessel would be well suited once completed include:
1) energy use comparisons with conventional vessels
*with consistent load/passengers
*at comparable speeds
*in various sea conditions
2) various engine/power train systems
*gasoline outboards (2 and 4 stroke)
*electric
*hybrids
*experimental power trains
3) propeller systems
*standard
*surface-penetrating
*fins, paddles, etc.
4) wind power
*standards sails
*wing sails
*rotors
*etc.
5) solar energy
*solar voltaic
*hybrids systems
6) foil studies
*rudder design
*leeboard etc. design
*lift foils
Finishing out and setting up these hulls to make a complete and viable testing and functioning catamaran will require:
structural work, including minor fiberglassing, adding resin to the hulls
*fit, fillet, and glass tape structural bulkheads
*fill, fair, and paint hull exteriors
*paint or gelcoat interiors
*build deck connections, cross members. decking
*build in multiple hardware and testing connection points
*fiberglass and paint decking as needed
*build seats, steering station, rails, hatches, etc.
*install deck hardware
Further uses envisioned for this project include:
i) general purpose boat for classes, onwater programs
ii) water quality testing and study, especially in shoal waters
iii)research platform
iv) dive boat
v) camp support boat
vi) chase boat/safety boat
vii) long range cruiser, to test the concept
Comments and ideas regarding the Labrador project are welcome at this blogspot. The plan is to organize, instigate, initiate, and otherwise facilitate the completion and extended use of this vessel in keeping with the spirit of trying and teaching the elements of new ideas.
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