Fossil fuel free catamaran launched this week

by Sail-World Cruising on 16 Dec 2009 Dutch company African Cats headed by Gideon Goudsmit and Suzan Groeneveld, based in Amstelveen near Amsterdam, is happy to announce that the first fossil fuel free sailing catamaran with retractable propulsion/generation system has been launched in Durban South Africa.

This new demonstrator will be crossing the Atlantic early 2010 twice for testing purposes of the GREEN MOTION retractable propulsion/generation system. This fossil free system is the newest development in propulsion and regeneration applied onto a sailing multihull.

Since 2001 the pair have been working on the challenge of retaining lightness and speed without sacrificing comfort. So the present latest model is the result of many developments of which the electric retractable propulsion and generating system Green Motion is the most important one.

The dual Green Motion set up consists of:
• Electric retractable outboard motogens* (2 x 9.6 KW)
• 1 x 144 to 24 volts 30 amps converter
• 10 amps shore charger 230 ac -144 dc
• LCD screen for amperage, volts, rpm and temperature
• 12 x 150 amp 12.8 volt AGM batteries (Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries optional).
• 40 litre dual coil 220 ac water heater
• electric induction stove and electric oven
• 5 Kw inverter pure sine wave
• Plug and play wiring
• Hydraulic actuators (2)
• Electric hydraulic oil pump
• Manual emergency oil pump
• Oil Filter
• LED indicators for up and down position
• Switches up and down
• 2 waterproof Contacts with switches and keys (2)
• Electric hydraulic steering valves
• 4 bladed high efficient propellers (2)
• Basalt Fibre wing strud’s (2)
• Hydraulic piping
• Shaft anodes

The resistance while sailing is lowered with the motogens retracted. The actual sailing speed increases because no sail drives, propellers, props shafts or shaft supports are in the flow of the water and the result is a lower usage of the motogens and reduction of energy used.

The fact that the motogens are located closer to the centre of gravity of the vessel makes the yacht safer and more comfortable.

Folding or feathering props that are expensive and need maintenance are no longer needed because they are lifted from the water when not in use. No fouling of props and they are reachable in up position for cleaning.

An induction stove and an electric oven completes the task of making the yacht completely fossil fuel free.

For more information on pricing and where and how to purchase the catamaran, please contact the company on info@africancats.com