Vote the Boat

www.mogcanalboat.com:

Want to make a difference?  Here's your chance for a meaningful vote for EVs,  read below.

http://contest.techbriefs.com/2015/entries/sustainable-technologies/5151-totally-solar-electric-powered-hospital-boat

http://www.mogcanalboat.com/

The MOG is a handsome looking vessel powered by sunlight and embodies the future of modern boating. At the very least, it is the best means of escaping the madding crowd for new destinations formerly reached only by kayaks.

George McNeir, a Wilmington, NC, industrial designer who retired from a career with computer companies deeply rooted in computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM), has privately built the Mog Canal Boat, a quiet, cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for water travel. The “MOG tm” epithet is an old world word meaning “to proceed deliberately, gently, to depart or decamp, to go from one place to another slowly and steadily”.

The Mog Canal Boat cruises at a leisurely sailboat speed of about 3 knots and tops out at a hull speed of 7 knots. She’s not a party boat for the young but a seriously unlimited range vessel with world class applications. Uses such as a mobile laboratory, traveling school, hospital-clinic, mobile marine power generation platform and long term team support vehicle, in shallow estuaries far from resupply of fuel, are but a few applications.

Nearly 3000 watts from this small array, full array is over 4000 watts.

If considered as a cruiser, it would sleep between two to four persons in two cabins with forward convertible settees and queen/twin bed aft that lifts up to create an open floor space. There is a full galley, head, vanity and a separate shower. Also powered by the sun are the standard radio, VHF radios, TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner and all lighting.

There are plenty of storage drawers, closets, lockers, below deck storage and both galley and head are fitted with pressurized cold and solar heated water. More than twenty large windows surround the spacious interior environment, yielding huge breathtaking views while protected from the sun’s UV intensity. Screened windows allow pleasant breezes to waft throughout the boat as well as real air conditioners for those very hot and muggy days.

The Mog’s bottom, although flat across the boat's beam, has a very efficient rocker or curve from stem to stern, creating highly efficient progress through the water with a nicely cutting bow. The hull is so efficient, that when compared to other monohulls or even catamarans, there is barely a wake to be seen.

The hull form presents an incredibly shallow draft of only 18 inches, not even knee deep, allowing it to camp out on beaches and islands along the way. This hull shape plus the fact that the range is truly unlimited, heralds a completely new application skill set for the captain and crew. A skill set that is intuitively learned and at the beck and call of any worthwhile application one can imagine.

A 10 hp electric outboard motor weighing just 75 pounds!

Inboard or outboard electric motors powered by the same solar derived fuel station in the sky, set the vessel into an uncanny quiet motion that handles with ballet-like ease and stops on a dime with nine cents change. Electric motors, with their full torque at zero rpm, can maneuver in a way that escapes the realm of currently employed internal combustion engines (without the fumes and noise too).

As for fuel, there is no match. No oil, smell, fire, plugs, freezing, filters, noise and insurance costs plummet. Even lead acid batteries last far longer because of the constant renewal of energy from the sun, even on cloudy days.

Ten of the eighteen batteries. New batteries will have 3X the power density.

With more exotic batteries the seascape changes even more dramatically, when costs are compared to internal combustion engines. At 2 to 3 miles per hour the vessel can proceed for days without significant sunshine (even at night). On a clear sunny day it is able to venture nearly 40 miles and arrive at the end of the day with nearly 94% full battery banks. Several excursions of 100 and over 500 miles have proven these capabilities. Newer technologies will greatly extend the speeds and distances.

After a gorgeous day of travel, create your camp right on the beach.

THE VOTE IS HERE

A NASA contest offers a way for you to contribute a vote to further to the EV cause.

The builder/designer of the Totally Solar Electric Vehicle MOG Boat, has privately built a full size, personal 40 foot working machine. And offers a free license to build these boats to all manner of humanitarian groups. For builders of private/commercial boats, there is a nominal fee.

The following contest raises awareness to new EV enthusiasts as well as those who have actively participated in the over 25 year build and demonstration of the MOG craft. Join the enterprise too.

The joining of the NASA Tech Pub’s 'Create The Future Contest' entitles the prospective voter to be a member of the CR4 designer’s forum as well as a vote for SEVs (solar electric vehicles).

Please read the article and see if this works for you, for boats, as a portion of the Electric Vehicle spectrum.

Here is your chance to VOTE the BOAT

Contest entries are no longer accepted BUT VOTING CONTINUES until September 11th, 2015.

       http://contest.techbriefs.com/2015/entries/sustainable-technologies/5151-totally-solar-electric-powered-hospital-boat

THE VOTE IS HERE

MOG Through The Museum

A Journey Through Maritime

A warm, inviting blue green Atlantic Ocean, hugging North Carolina’s pure sands around Wrightsville Beach, is connected westward by Market Street, to the famous Cape Fear River port of Wilmington with its nationally acclaimed Riverwalk.

This video reveals Atlantic Ocean waves breaking on the beach,

while tranquilly flowing into the shallow estuary behind the strand.

The 40 foot totally solar electric Algemac II is perched gently on the shore.

Between these two major tourist destinations is a wealth of history, considerately displayed for the traveler, toddler, student, historian, in a unique museum, unfolding a masterfully presented exposition of the Cape Fear area and the science prompting its inevitable growth.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Over 2 miles of Riverwalk lined with 4th of July celebrants.

The Wilmington Riverwalk, Cape Fear Museum of History & Science and

MOG Solar Electric boat located at the Cape Fear Marina at Bennett Brothers Yachts.

In June, the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science showed a new vision for recollecting greater New Hanover county, the Cape Fear region and the land and waters of the great state of North Carolina. With authenticity, dignity and charm, it has become more a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space, machine) than any version of a museum. Even the architecture of the building housing the collection is indicative of such eloquent character. The museum and friendly staff welcome tourists and local visitors to see the ever changing and diverse exhibits.

The Cape Fear Museum of History & Science

 edifice at 814 Market street.

Rather than clever optics, laser lighting and audio/visual scintillations, the real items, things, gritty pictures, antiques, earthy tech wonders and the garments to bring it back to “there’s no place like home” are arrayed for all ages to ogle. Showcasing history with science is a definite winner. That youngsters have such an inroad into the application of the basic principals of physics is stellar.

The block pulley gave mechanical advantage to early 

sailors hauling up huge sheets of heavy canvas sails.

A great place to try a comparison of strength

 to the advantage of physics.

In Wilmington, 18 years of Michael Jordan's youth were spent studying

 and exercising his drive for excellence and good character.   

Having been to many top tier museums, this home town showcase knocks it out of the park. Walking through the displays from top to bottom, one is impressed not only by the new displays of museum artifacts but the hands-on demonstrations, especially a new physical display utilizing a 'participant friendly' ship, was enthralling. Every combination of age and intellect had been considered for what was actually fun, doing work (whilst learning practical physics).

Literally looking down the barrel of a cannon, one can

 utilize the physics involved, to aim a naval salute

 for 4th of July celebrations.

Several dioramas of the region were not only historically accurate but intense in their depiction, whether a battle or a day in the old downtown. Exceptional detail coupled with such a large format, makes being downtown in 1800’s Wilmington an immersive experience. One can easily spend an hour eyeing the street scenes, bygone activities, lost trades, antebellum dress, naval architecture, commerce and city layout. From a maritime standpoint, the blockade runners (in their time) are on a par with the best ocean powerboats by Fountain, Aronow, Schaldenbrand, Hunt and Gar Wood. To see such craft in actual 3D is absolutely amazing.

A most sleek craft appears as if designed today, for the

emerging technology of the time period. The viewer is

able to walk around the entire diorama in order to truly

 appreciate the depth of engineering and design displayed.

Naval architecture and shipbuilding was a major industry

 of Wilmington through many periods of the city's history.

During the continuing life of this seaport, many different

types of ship have slid down the ways into history.

Here are just a few items that should pique one's curiosity as to their application. The answers to these and many more questions are at the museum.

As unique as this item is, the builder is even more unique.

This item proves youngsters are found to be eager beavers.

Merely a vignette of an idea that changed naval history.

Turn a corner, you never know what you will see.

This was high tech to many young folks into the 19th centuery.

Everyone actually gets their turn here.

Young folks would not believe it if told, just have to see to believe.

Picture this.

Nope, it is not a spoon for giants.

The WW I  US Army was well 'trained' here.

Toddler's eye view of a ship of knowledge and enthrallment.

Some of us in the maritime arts have had occasion to use this item on display.

So, as the sign says, get to work on coming to

 the museum, learn and have fun at the same time.

The MOG crew heartily recommends that you savor not only the rich heritage of the currently thriving New Hanover area but also see the significant role science has facilitated throughout its history. The Cape Fear Museum of History & Science makes this possible for visitors to bring it all back home.

www.mogcanalboat.com:

SECRET NEW A/C?

Answering A Blog Site Question....

"Care to share the specifics of your solar electric air conditioning system? There is no mention of the system on the website you linked."

Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees! All of the writings about the Totally Solar Electric MOG boat and barely mentioned is the wonderful fact that the boat has real cooling air conditioning, yes A/C. Our fault.

Notice the small window AC unit in the aft starboard window.

It is easily moved to any of the over 12 window positions.

Sometimes, things here at MOG are taken for granted, such as the creature comforts placed aboard the boat. People are simply aghast when they hear there is AC and moreover it works well. Also, no trawler type boat, that is low on fuel, is going to run the generator for air conditioning. That same idea applies to a MOG. If there is insufficient fuel (solar replenishment) to continue propulsion for a journey, the A/C is turned off. That said, when the breezes from traveling stop and the humidity is creeping up your back and coming down as sweat, the MOG can definitely turn on the cool.

Stacked in their hiding place, two $99,  5,000 Btu AC units 

awaiting posting to their respective windows.

In fact the brighter the sun, the more energy is developed for cooling the captain and crew. This is not magic but simply the solar electric array making copious sun driven energy into the battery bank, to the inverter, to the 5,000 Btu window AC unit ($99 at HH Gregg, Home Depot, Walmart or similar). What? You thought that it would be some super-sophisticated Lithium Bromide Absorption System or maybe even Kryptonite/Solar Electric? Nope.

West Marine offers this raw water cooled AC, 115 volt unit for a bit over $1,100.

Why a plastic, common and inexpensive window air conditioner? First, the folks at CruiseAir make very good marine AC units. In fact I had one aboard the MOG when it was 30 feet (before the stretch to 40 feet). The compact under floor 5,000 btu unit worked just fine and had no problems. It was built very well and served until the day we put the boat aground for the night. After a few minutes the unit had no water running through the submerged water-cooling intake... the tide was out. Immediately the unit was shut off. Secondly, without the boat's hull immersed in water, there was no way to cool the refrigerant as it was being recirculated for the refrigerant's next cooling cycle. The AC unit was fine and sold to another boater.

West Marine's new 12 volt DC, raw water cooled, 6,000 btu AC unit for about $2,200.

Therefore, if one is to ground the boat, marine air conditioners using water that supports the hull cannot be used without even greater system complication. Several companies make very nice portable AC units for boats but they do not fit the physical envelope and shape of the MOG. The Haier and other small window types are all within an inch of fitment dimensions and use nearly the identical amounts of power.

The small units are less expensive to replace than they are to have serviced. Take them back to  the box store for disposal and buy a new one. That was my idea when I got a quote for cleaning the raw water intake of the original marine AC unit. For the price of the cleaning procedure, I could buy a new window air conditioner.

The window AC units are not called 'portable' but actually weigh less than some portable marine ACs and are very easy to install and remove from the MOG's custom window support. In fact, we take them out when making a journey and just pop it in, if used for the night or day once we are settled.

The inexpensive window AC units are now nicely designed and have a very small window profile and do not overhang the side decks of the boat. The front unit sits in the center window of the bow window group and has often been left there throughout daytime travels.

Barely visible is the center window mounted 5,000 btu AC unit.

At night the aft side windows allow a 5,000 btu unit to be positioned so effectively around the bed that it is run on low/slow, remaining on all night and not draining the large battery banks. Proper window shades that have high rejection of solar heat gain are used in the windows to reduce the load on the AC unit. New types of shades are always being swapped and measured for increased insulation value. The quest for using less and less power never ends.

Thanks for the question from 'Truth Is Not A Compromise' from a different forum to which MOG subscribes.

SHOW & NOSHOW 2015

MOG's 1st NOSHOW

Can you find the 40 foot MOG solar boat in the rain?

Click on the picture to enlarge.

As written in the April 13, 2015 blog entry, a few boat shows in April and May would kick off the MOG getting some water moving under the skegs.

The totally solar electric powered yacht was washed and prepared on April 17th for the Cape Fear Community College annual Boat Show. The weather was quite cloudy with projections for rain. The forecast was most accurate. The morning of our departure of barely 1 mile, was marred by rain and light wind. Although this was tolerable for the boat and crew it was not a good choice for MOG appearing at the CFCC Boat Show of April 18th.

The boat show was situated on Water Street in the CFCC parking lot, close to across the street parking. Our problem was we were the only ‘in water’ boat with a location at the end of the CFCC commercial type dock and a steep aluminum access ramp to the floating dock at which we were to tie off the boat. Asking folks to walk another 1,000 feet, risking a slip on the ramp and getting soaked in the process was not the best idea. In the interest of all concerned and a modicum of safety, the CFCC gates to the docks remained locked. The MOG stayed in her slip.

Out of the good number of attendees, a few people were at the show had worked on the original 30 foot MOG (before being stretched to 40 feet). Others met at the show had boats built by Nelson Silva, builder of many Simmons type skiffs and built the original MOG 30 foot version. Many folks owning T.N. Simmons’ boats were there  also. T.N. Simmons is the man who made the original Simmons Sea Skiffs that were a signature craft for the sounds and rivers of the greater Wilmington area for decades.

Those boat lovers that visited the show could see and touch a wide variety of very fine wooden boats, most of which were built locally, including the MOG. We have done the CFCC show a number of times in fair weather with other great wooden boats at their floating dock, it just was not in the weather forecast for this year. Pictures below should redisplay enlarged when 'clicked' upon.

Stretched along Water St. in Wilmington, NC wooden gems sparkled in the rain.

The boats trailered to the show were lining the lawn and the whole parking lot with a few small pop up tents. There were a number of displays for safe boating, not to mention the boatbuilding school and marine power classrooms were open for the visiting public with boat and engine work in progress.

A pram bowed boat with a knotted fender starts this row of boats.

Two boats shown were quite a contrast to each other yet both shared the common heritage of fine wood boat building. Runabouts, canoes,  row boats, sculls, cold molded flats boats, plus sailboats were all dressed for the day.

Many young boaters have started their boating experience in a wooden row boat, then progressed to a sleek runabout.

No doubt the show was a success and just an hour before closing the Sun came out. At that time the whole show came to  life and catered well to those who had been pent up at home or in the town restaurants. A burst of humanity seeking an educational saunter through maritime history.

MOG's 1st SHOW

On Saturday, May 2nd Beaufort, North Carolina Maritime Museum opened its 41st annual Boat Show at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center (waterside venue) and the NC Maritime Museum across the street.

In the background, a gorgeous antique Chris Craft inboard runabout contrasts another runabout type of the 1950's, a lapstrake planked boat in the foreground

At the Watercraft Center we set up a six foot model of a version of the current 40 foot totally solar electric powered yacht. Along with the model were displayed early small test models that were used to determine the scantlings, planking and hull fitment. An eCycle electric motor of just over 14 pounds was placed in the hands of the many show goers who then gasped at the light weight for a 10 horsepower motor.

Near the center of this picture is the diminutive 10 hp eCycle electric motor.

The same 10 hp motor they held was one of the two power head motors (a total of just 20 hp) that propel the 40 foot MOG to over seven knots.  See   www.mogcanalboat.com:

The weather was a balmy sunny 70's with gentle winds,  a perfect breeze drifting through the Watercraft Center hall, continuing through to impart its momentum into the sheets of sailboats ferrying ticket holders for rides in the waterside channel outside.

The continuous and considerable throng of captains, mates and crews filled the hall and 

spilled over to the streets lined with an abundance of wooden marine craft.

There were literally blocks of fine craft to see on the street, various side lots and of course inside the Maritime Museum itself. A large display of well crafted model boats were lined up along long tables within a meeting room inside the museum. These were to be voted upon by the onlookers with awards at the end of the day.

Within the Watercraft Center, many displays from antiques to ships-in-a-bottle and popcorn to go, kept young and old circulating through the wood timbered building. Even more inspiring were the antique outboard motors from the 1920s into the 1960s that were clamped about the length of the main beams of the long hall.

The maritime craftwork of masters of model making such as William (Bill) Kay were displayed and commented on by the likes of Bill and wife Jean. I was literally left speechless when Jean Kay showed me a picture of a boat which had a name spelled in a manner I could not pronounce as a child.

I had very fond memories of some days work on the boat I had called the Vanilla. Somehow, the big hearted crew allowed this kid to wash the decks of the boat I was to later learn to pronounce as the Valhalla.

Bill had built several of the incredibly detailed models for crew members and those who desired to revisit their great times spent in Wrightsville Beach, NC around the 1950s. The flood of memories was massively intense upon seeing the actual models. Then, a bit later, I swapped stories with one of the Valhalla's crew members who had commissioned a model for the talented hands of Bill Kay to build.  The detail is utterly fabulous but I will let the pictures below do the talking.

William (Bill) Kay in black garb conversing with an admirer of his work.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful the boat show was and great a thrill to attend. I met so many knowledgable boaters and those interested in starting into boating. In the past I had the thirty foot MOG at this same facility for some show and tell and look forward to getting back to it next year with the 40 foot MOG Algemac II.

Both the mid April Wilmington, NC CFCC boat show and the early May Beuafort Boat Show should be on your agenda. The shows are friendly, informative and near to some of the best dining and sightseeing the east coast has to offer.

PEV WEEKEND

Obviously not at the NCPEV street booth, the totally solar electric MOG was in her Wilmington, NC slip.

ELECTRIC AZALEA

No, it is not a new rock group but the folks from Advanced Energy, NCPEV definitely rocked the Wilmington Azalea Festival in the middle of Front and Chestnut Streets. From Raleigh, NC came the team that showed where the future for personal Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) is headed and just how all of the folks in NC are going to get there.

On display were child and adult oriented displays that keyed in on the transportation interests of the festival goers. A Nissan Leaf, Tesla S, Schneider solar controller, nifty handouts and a mini electric car race track, pulled walkers to a standstill. Once people's attention was happily engaged, the basics of personal electric transportation were discussed, while onlookers got some actual hands-on with the cars and mock 'fueling' operation.

The team was not only knowledgable but most affable, being appreciated by the many visitors to the booth.

Katie Drye of NCPEV shows the way to the electric future.

The booth was run continuously by the group from Advanced Energy, from just before 10am until a bit after 6pm, each of the two days. It was obvious that the group had picked a great venue and site. Even better, the weather was absolutely perfect. Frankly, the small amount of rain just prior to the 10am opening, washed a lot of pine pollen away, giving just the right glimmer in the morning sun.

A representative from Capital Ford (Nissan Leaf shown) stands with Ward of NCPEV at right, while prospective electric vehicle users examine the front motor compartment and try the recharge plug.

Matthew of NCPEV (at center in blue shirt) talks with the crowd of interested Azalea Festival attendees about the finer points of the well designed Tesla Model S car.

Our thanks to the folks at Advanced Energy/NCPEV for taking the time to show how electric transportation is having a positive impact on the lives of all North Carolinians and we look forward to seeing you again soon in Wilmington, NC.

NOW APPEARING

APPEARING at ADVANCED ENERGY

Spring has sprung,

The grass has riz,

I wonder where,

The flowers is?

The Wilmington Azalea Festival (April 8-12) has taken over the city and for a few days, tourists from everywhere imaginable will cover the streets, alleys, porches, sidewalks down to the banks of the Cape Fear River... not unlike Kudzu. I like Kudzu, it grows on you after a while.

In the midst of the milling crowd, MOG shall endeavor to help Advanced Energy and society see the benefits of energy conservation as applied to America's daily drivers (four wheel types) along with industry.

The following description was copied from their website and pasted below:

Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., Advanced Energy is a planning, technical and engineering services firm that provides market-based energy solutions. We work with electric utilities, state, federal and local governments, manufacturers and a wide variety of public and private partners. Advanced Energy offers program design and implementation, consulting, training, testing and research to provide market-based energy-related solutions for our five markets: Buildings, Industrial, Motors and Drives, Renewables and Transportation.

During the Azalea festivities the AE folks have set up a table top display to tout the above described contribution they make. Since it is literally out front of the MOG headquarters, the urge to assist as a volunteer at their booth, is irresistible.

So if you are in town at the festival, do stop and tarry a bit at the Advanced Energy booth, corner of Front and Chestnut Streets, adjacent the old 12 story Murchison Building. No guarantee a member of the MOG staff will be at the booth the moment you arrive but the intent is clearly there. You can always drop word of your projected arrival on the MOG web site contact area at    www.mogcanalboat.com  

IN THE WATER @ CFCC BOATS SHOW

Next weekend we will be in the water at the Cape Fear Community College presentation of their annual CFCC BOAT SHOW Festival (hand crafted wood and classic boats) set for April 18, 2015 from 9:30 am to about 5pm.

The MOG, Algemac II, will be among the biggest at the dock and of course the only TOTALLY solar electric yacht. The motors will be run at your request and if it is really hot, the air conditioners will be on full blast too.

So if you are too busy to attend the Azalea Festival you can see us later at the CFCC BOAT SHOW.

ANOTHER SHOW

In Beaufort, NC on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, we will have a table top display along with the MOG Concept Craft Model inside of the Beaufort, North Carolina Maritime Museum, WaterCraft Center.

Come see the future of really total solar-electric boats and yachts. See you there!

We will endeavor to keep you well informed of the Great Loop start, right here in beautiful maritime towns and cities of North Carolina.