May 27 2008Solar-Powered Speedboat Looks Good To Me
This is allegedly the world's first solar-powered speedboat, the Dutch-built Czeers MK1. The 33-foot aquatic transportation device is capable of doing about 30 knots (~35 MPH) and is powered entirely from energy generated from its 14 square meters of photovoltaic cells. No word on cost, but who cares, I definitely couldn't afford one (if you think you could though we should be totally be friends). So, you think it'll make an appearance in the next Bond flick? I sure hope not -- I'd hate to see it destroyed in one way or another. But what I wouldn't hate to see is the return of Pussy Galore. Unless they insisted on using the original actress from Goldfinger (Honor Blackman, 82). If I saw Bond hitting that in the theater I'd gouge my eyes out with the straw from a $6 soda. Actually, forget about Galore, they should just try to get her granddaughter, Snatch Abunch.
A bunch of close-ups of the boat after the jump.
UPDATE: Horrible quality video with an allegedly awesome soundtrack added.
Dutch Build The First Solar-Powered Speedboat [uberreview]
Reader Comments
1. jonniethunder - May 27, 2008 3:54 PM
I love boats..........
2. jonniethunder - May 27, 2008 3:55 PM
2nd............YES!!!!!!!!!!
3. Steve - May 27, 2008 4:14 PM
Video huh?
4. Quenossy - May 27, 2008 4:14 PM
That's not a porno track! That's freakin' Aphex Twin (Windowlicker). I mean, the song is supposed to have that sort of vibe to it, but it's definitely dignified.
5. Steve - May 27, 2008 4:17 PM
Looked like a terrible time, especially if that music was playing on the boat.
6. prewife - May 27, 2008 4:31 PM
that is freakin COOL! Ok, the real test would be to see if it can get across a large body of water only on solar power. Start off small, cross say the Atlantic.
http://prewife.com
7. greg - May 27, 2008 4:46 PM
probaly you cant get tan on front... sad
8. Dan - May 27, 2008 6:04 PM
@4
Second'd on the Aphex Twin. You let us all down today Geekologie writer.
9. Shoes - May 27, 2008 9:09 PM
I wish more porno's used that sort of music, I wouldn't have to mute so many of them.
10. Pete - May 28, 2008 12:58 AM
Do all boats have stairs leading down to where the propeller is? Seems kinda dumb.
11. guate6 - May 28, 2008 9:42 AM
I spy: a LOT of solar panels, and a LOT of carbon fiber (or "fibre" if you will). Neat little sucker, and given the materials used to actually make the boat, I'd say this little puppy starts around three quarters of a million dollars.
#10: most do, and the stairs go behind the propeller of the outboard. If the outboard is large enough, then the stairs on the side. A smart person knows to not use the stairs when the vessel is in motion, only when it's anchored.
John: while I'm sure you know this, maybe others don't. 30 knots won't make the next bond film, unless they film it in slow speed, so when they play it, it goes a LOT faster. Maybe something that goes 50 knots would make the next bond film. There is a large carbon fiber boat out, a nice houseboat type thing that's completely beautiful and I would want to afford it. It was featured on Top Gear, but then they went to talk about a Lotus I believe. That boat should be featured on here.
12. -M@ - May 28, 2008 10:16 PM
35mph is considered a 'speed boat'. uh..sure if it were in some retirement community. i wonder why ever user of carbon fiber insists on exposing it!!?? yeah, we fucking get it ok, it's black, shiny and woven cloth, is lightweight, strong and gets really hot when it's in the sun. wait...does this thing also absorb that heat energy and use that for speed too?! yeah, probably not. if it were actually a 'speed boat' carbon fiber may be too lightweight and the boat might flip over. which would be more entertaining than this video that is like future version of bass-masters without any actual fishing action.
sure beats my boat though...which is actually a 1970's impala with multicolored panels, rust spots and bald tires...but it DOES go faster than 30knots and has room for all my bitches (i have lots of in-laws!)
13. Jonty - May 30, 2008 3:11 AM
if it's so lightweight to have all those panels, why don't they make a larger boat that can go faster? the bow on this thing doesn't even lift up when he opens the throttle!
14. rebecca - August 19, 2008 10:01 AM
Hummmm, 8okw motor, powered by solar! dont think so,
The question is how long can it travel at 30 knots for? the answer , until the Batteries need plugged in! its like saying my cars solar as i have one of those mini panels on my dash that tops up my battery via my lighter socket.
15. outboard motors - August 20, 2008 10:46 AM
I think people are now looking too hard to find things to make "green". How much pollution does all the world personal boats emit each year? Answer: Not enough to care. And if it isn't cheaper, I'm sure no one else is going to either.
Just my 2 cents...