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How I'm Upgrading my Solar Boat to a +7 Knot Trimaran with Better Stability

True North Yachts ⟡

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☀ Upgraded Build Plans: https://tinyurl.com/build-helios11
Newsletter, Manuals and More: https://truenortharchive.net/

In this video I discuss the next upgrades of my solar boat prototype such as a trimaran upgrade to add great solar areas, a next gen solar panel upgrade, the battery upgrade, and ballast improvements for stability. I also share my lates anchoring test in heavy weather. Finally, I present the improved plan for building a HELIOS type infinite range and fast solar cruiser ideal for coastal living and moderately comfortable blue water capacity.

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MUSIC CREDITS

Music: "I'm Not Crying, You're Crying" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Forest Walk" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Frozen Mountains" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Musical Medicine" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "No Copyright Relaxing Fantasy Music Forest Walk" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Frozen Mountains Royalty Free Relaxing Piano Music" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Colorful Keys - Royalty Free Uplifting Piano Music" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Musical Medicine Soothing Piano Pieces for Deep Relaxation & Meditation" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "No Copyright Relaxing Fantasy Music Forest Walk " by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: Kind Celtic Loop by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
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Music: Soft Interlude by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)
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Music: Tam Lin by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)
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Music: "Forest Walk" by Alexander Nakarada
www.creatorchords.com
Licensed under CC4 - Attribution

Music: "Forest Walk" by Alexander Nakarada
www.creatorchords.com
Licensed under CC4 - Attribution

Music: "Shelter Song" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Vivid Dreams 🌌 | Royalty Free Rock / Drum & Bass Fusion" by Alexander Nakarada
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Music: "Vivid Dreams" by Alexander Nakarada
www.creatorchords.com
Licensed under CC4 - Attribution

Music: Kind Celtic Loop by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Music: "Musical Medicine Soothing Piano Pieces for Deep Relaxation & Meditation" by Alexander Nakarada
www.creatorchords.com
Licensed under CC4 - Attribution

Music: "Musical Medicine" by Alexander Nakarada
www.creatorchords.com
Licensed under CC4 - Attribution

Music: Soft Interlude by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

20 Comments

@Lukas-TrueNorthYachts Creator 5 months ago Pinned

Here are the Upgraded Build Plans for those who might want to build or design a Helios-type vessel: https://tinyurl.com/build-helios11
I put a small price on it to fund the plywood for my next prototype.

@JukeMaster96 5 months ago (edited)

You can also buy a water maker you have the free electricity for it and with a water tank you can add a lot of weight while also have drinking water, shower water , a washing machine for your clothes and for your sink as well.

@joeclutchless1944 5 months ago

You should consider adding a second motor and controller. It will allow you to go faster if needed but mostly it gives you a lot more safety if one motor should fail for any reason.

@thor.halsli 5 months ago

I would consider a brighter color for better visibility at sea for your next boat

@Oomzilla 1 month ago

You were parked right next to my house. Welcome to Maro, costa tropical!

@bresy3793 5 months ago

Lukas, this is seriously amazing.

@konstantinos6192 5 months ago

It is not just salt. It has also Sahara sand on the panels.

@yaksauce 5 months ago

I am impressed with your boat build and liberated lifestyle! Living vicariously through your content and wish you great success with future nautical adventures!

The only things I would do with future build-outs/upgrades:
1) repurpose old sea-kayaks (x2) as outriggers. This offers many benefits such as added storage, faster path to project completion, ability to fold/swing/disconnect the outriggers when necessary for trailering or navigating narrow waterways.
2) Add second motor!!! In open waters redundancy is your friend.

@gaeiskidosdoye6058 5 months ago

If a storm rages, water will come in from the back.

@ebony5766 5 months ago

Love these videos. I am leatning so much from you!

@jkirtleyheacting 5 months ago

An incredible journey you are on. Fascinating x

@ianbruce6515 4 months ago (edited)

Your boat probably has a quick and uncomfortable roll--not due to lack of stability--but because of a very high initial stability. Old fashioned multihulls can have an uncomfortable fast roll for that reason. Trimarans nowadays have low buoyancy outer hulls for an easier motion. Lowering your center of gravity does not help. A higher center of gravity would slow your roll.

You might want to consider paravanes when underway. Fishing boats use them to reduce rolling. Luxury yachts use hydraulic stabilizers.

A mast with a riding sail makes a huge difference in some boats, when at anchor. Some sailboats lie comfortable head to wind--but others, in certain wind conditions, tack back and forth at anchor, snatching really hard on the chain. That kind of boat benefits from a riding sail, even if it is a small flat triangle of sailcloth rigged on the backstay.
It would really help your boat at anchor, and also reduce rolling under way .

@samreciter 5 months ago

I love the outrigger idea - both the looks and the utility!
It would be kinda neat, if you could fold them up, if you go into a harbour, to save cost on berth place space and have better chances to get berth places.

@sanderlelie6147 5 months ago

Hi Lukas,

It might be interesting for you to make your beams using a composite construction method. I’m thinking of an approach that you could carry out in the workshop or possibly even on the boat.

Imagine printing segments with a 3D printer—segments about 20–25 cm high. This way, you get beam sections of around 25 cm in length that you can glue together. If you then apply epoxy-impregnated fiberglass and/or carbon fiber over them, you’ll end up with a plastic beam wrapped in reinforcement fabric. You can roll the fabric tightly onto the plastic using a paint roller. Then the whole assembly goes into a large plastic bag, which you vacuum-seal.

After curing, only minimal finishing is needed, and the result is a lightweight, strong beam.

@bwcdevices3028 5 months ago

Love this project - brilliant work mate, thanks for sharing

@CarlosDavidFoto 5 months ago (edited)

Consider putting the outrigger on a hinge so it can be lifted when docking. Consider adding a second 6kw motor .

@Gamen4Bros 5 months ago

This is... AWESOME!! Woaaah

@KylePapili 5 months ago

This guy deserves 100X's the subscribers and 100X'sthe budget. I wanna see this projects continue and grow!!!

@Fenimorkin 1 month ago

To lift your futur pontons lightly up, just rotate them ~20~30", using car jack or worm gear. It will keep you triangle forms solid and strong.
Your project is cool, god bless you and your wife.

@GrumpyBunny460 5 months ago

Love the project and your videos. Two possible ideas for your next larger projects, 1-duel electric outboards to provide redundancy and 2-Sharrow props to increase efficiency. Best wishes from Australia.