Translate
Miscellaneous projects
You are here: >> Home => P214 => Atlantic Power Boat Challenge
With the hydrocarbon reserves which become exhausted, the ecological push against the petroleum wasting, the obligation to reduce the pollution generated by the humanity, the consumption of the engines in general and those intended to propel the boats in particular must obligatorily decrease. The fisheries sector and that of the maritime transport are mainly victims of the petroleum costs, but the pleasureboating is concerned too. If the first sectors are essential to our standard of live, the consumption of our pleasure boats represents a condemnable luxury in terms as much of raw material wasting, petrol, that by generated pollution. It is thus essential to reduce the consumption of our engines, to even open other ways for a more respectful mechanical propulsion of the environment. It is all the stake suggested by the transatlantic race organized by the naval architect Yves Kinard.
The concept.
This one finds its origin within the area of a commercial step, that to present Mayrik P214 Mini Trawler at the nautical boat show “Le Grand Pavois”. However this boat was drawn around an idea of comfort, of livable volume, nautical qualities. Consequently, to cross the Atlantic to show the adequacy of P214 to its program became an obviousness. But very quickly, as of the first calculations, the company seemed out of reach so small boat. Except if a thorough reflection were carried out to reduce as much as possible consumption of the engine and in same time to appreciably increase the capacity of its tanks. This tempting step, but essential, could not remain confined with this only crossing and to be a pragmatic response to commercial stakes. Much more, it appeared that the step was more universal and went in the direction of the history with this need generalized to find solutions with the exhaustion of the fossil energy resources. A race stimulating in the medias the various protagonists of the nautical sector was essential then like an obviousness. Within this framework, the crossing of P214, envisaged initially in May 2007, but deferred in 2008 due to delays of manufacture, will be used as launching with this initiative while fixing a reference index for the establishment, thereafter, of an attempt at record at the time of the race.
Today, the commercial aspect became secondary in front of the quality of the challenge and the stakes planetary which a race such as Atlantic Power Boat Challenge can constitute. Economic stake for tourism of the two communities, stake for the concerns related to the environment, stake for the engineers, motor mechanics, architects, manufacturers of boats for which this race offers an opportunity exceptional and developing near to the concerns of general public.
The objective.
The objective of the race will be thus, concretely, to offer a field of full-scale experimentation for all the researchers. That they are the architects, the industrialists, the motor mechanics, the petroleum sector, the engineers, all will find in the race opportunity technical, but such a media, to compare the imagined solutions. Thus one could see a confrontation between boats with electric propulsion by hydrogen cell with another motorized by a traditional largely optimized diesel, or more revolutionary, an operating system of the potential energy of the sea. Only atomic energy and obviously the sail will not be allowed.
The sponsors and partners(Clic here to see more infos on each sponsor)
Remained to define a course. The homonymy of the two communes of end, Saint Martin in the Antilles, sits of the organizing firm, and Saint Martin de Ré, close to La Rochelle, place of “Le Grand Pavois” offers an opportunity anecdotic, but carrying on the level the media. The simple consultation of a chart shows that the Azores are exactly on the direct road, thus offering a possible stage as well at the technical level as for a refuelling. Moreover, the small size of P214 will impose this stopover, but the objectivefor thel race would be to try to rejoin the Antilles in Europe in only one stage.
So today to cross the Atlantic with a sail boat, that it is in race or as these hundreds of travellers who make it annually, became common, to do it all with the engine is much rarer, at least in the modest size. The maritime history retains mainly the crossing of the marine painter Marin-Marie, who, in 1936, crossed from New York in Le Havre in 19 days on board Arielle, a robust 13m motor boat. Himself in his book, “Vent dessus, vent dessous”, reports the preceding histories little known, like the very first crossing of a ship of 12m with mechanical propulsion, Abiel-Abbott-Low into 1902 of New York with Falmouth in England in 42 days. Crossing which at the time found some echoes before sinking in the lapse of memory. In 1912, it is the captain Fleming Day who crossed port of New Rochelle (close to New York) in Queenstown in England in 28 days on board a boat of 11m propelled by a petrol engine called Detroit. Again, and in spite of the quality of the exploit for one time still oscillating between the sail and the vapor, and which looked with mistrust the internal combustion engine, the crossing hardly left traces. It was thus necessary to await 1936 and Marin-Marie so that this mythical crossing (that of the large steamers) is carried out by a small ship and that the adventure arouses this time an immense interest. The notoriety of the marine painter, writer and already well known as a navigator of exception, contributed to famous of the event. But since, more no low-size boat was risked on the vast ocean except in May 1984 the Voyageur Elf Marine who carried out to him one crossing from east to west, from France in New York without refueling. This trawler of 14,32m designed by Michel Joubert was equipped with two diesels of 50hp and consumed 10l/H on average. More close to us, in 2004, a famous mark of american trawlers, Nordhavn, launched a kind of rally for the boats of its mark, connecting Fort Lauderdale to Gibraltar while passing by Bermuda and the Azores. This crossing, framed well, gathering ships of various sizes, proceeded as a crew and without notorious problems. In the same way, each year, they are tens of méga-yachts which cross for the needs for their activities of charter or the good pleasure of the owner. But it of large many ships is equipped there with a crew.
To cross the Atlantic is already not an alleviating adventure, but to try it with a boat of only 6.50m raises of a true challenge. To answer it, it was essential to optimize the boat. This step precedes the spirit of the race since the stake will be to arrive as quickly as possible while consuming the least possible of fuel reported to the moved load. This is why, as of the design, of the innovative choices were given. For example, in the course of construction, the hull of P214 was seen equipped with a bulbed bow. This one has several functions. First of all, it improves the hydrodynamism of the hull and its penetration in water. It lengthens the length with the water line, it even determining for what one calls the speed of hull, i.e. the maximum speed to which the hull is able to move in water for a minimum capacity while generating a wave co-ordinated with its length. Beyond, it will enter the field of planning, i.e. it will go up this wave of stem, but by consuming power enormously moreover, especially in transitional period (elevating). The bulb, by its volume, brings an additional buoyancy on before the geometry of the watermarks induced by an important width had reduced. Lastly, its reversed form contributes to reduce the movements of pitching.
It is certain that in the future of large companies having important means will be able to think of interesting solutions to reduce consumption. But on the level of the promoter of the project, they are objectives there out of reach. Nevertheless, of the solutions exist already, available for everyone, and it is what he wanted to gather to optimize the various parameters of P214. Thus, the selected engine is Perkins from only 86 cv with atmospheric aspiration. The reason of this choice rests on a basic observation: to reach its speed of hull, almost 6 nodes, P214 needs only 14cv. However, one could not be satisfied with a small engine, because the need for much for power could be felt, for example to fight against a wind or a powerful current, to divert themselves in urgency of the passage of another ship, or to regain a port for a reason or the other as soon as possible. The selected engine thus offered the best compromise, acceptor to turn the hours and even the days to the idle speed, but likely to deliver its power with the need. A turbo engine, stuffed of electronics for example, would not have been a good choice, at least for the moment. Indeed, the current versions are not able to idle without clogging itself and their reliability is not tested yet on a so long course. In addition, the aspiration of the engine was neat. A sheath coming straight from outside supplies the filter in fresh air. A propeller with automatic variable pitch of the Autoprop mark was installed. Its characteristic is to adapt automatically to a balance between its number of revolutions, generator of centrifugal force, and the resistance of the water induced by displacement or the waves. This propeller is given to have an output definitely higher than the other propellers on all its range of mode. That is understood easily since a propeller with fixed pitch is calculated to deliver the maximum power available on the shaft. Consequently, when this one turns less quickly, the output decrease very quickly. All in all, this propeller should make it possible to reduce by 20% consumption. A antifouling of great quality of Nautix mark supplements the efforts made under water to improve the total output of the hull. The gas oil is treated by an additive from Xbee making it possible to reduce a little consumption, but especially pollution. The first tests show an average consumption of 3.2 liter per hour to 1200 rpm at a speed of 5.9 knots (at sea of face with 1 meter of hollow). Lastly, in order to still reduce consumption, the electricity onboard is partially provided by a large solar panel of 150W. The power normally taken on the engine by the alternator is thus saved in a broad proportion. Moreover, in the event of engine failure, this panel will guarantee electric autonomy, in particular by allowing the use of the means of communication.
All in all, one could nevertheless put the question of aerodynamism of the boat and beyond the general optimization of the concept. It is certain which a longer boat, narrower, lighter could have more slightly been motorized for a more important speed and a less consumption. However, in addition to the starting point of this adventure was a small commercial boat, it there with the will to stick to the market. This one is represented by boats with little studied aerodynamism when it is about pleasure boat, even at all when one speaks about fishing vessel where only account the functional aspect. P214 is in this direction very representative of the market and the lesson drawn from this adventure will be directly advantageous the with greatest number.
At the hour when these lines are written (January 2008), P214 regularly sails. After various adjustments in the interior lagoon of Saint Martin, the first sea trial appeared extremely positive. The boat is very stable, rolls normally for a small boat, but with a relatively low amplitude, whatever the state of the sea. This being due to the important width, guarantees stability. In the same way pitching is deadened enough. Several exits were already carried out of which one by force 6 Beaufort with hollows of 3m. Under these conditions close to those which the boat will undoubtedly meet at the time of its crossing, P214 gave any satisfaction. The tests continue, but are centered on the practice of the various embarked systems. Indeed, for this crossing the boat is equipped with a satellite connection Iridium, which must make it possible to communicate by mail, SMS and voice. It is thus necessary to make go all this data processing together, since telephone, GPS, VHF, computer are inter-connected and form an interactive chain. The development for the insurance of an operation without fault is not simple.
Since she was launched, P214 bears a name. In homage to the well known precursory sailor that was Marin-Marie, the boat is called “Spirit of Arielle” and its godmother is the well-known voice of the sailors: Arielle Cassim of RFI. The boat sails under Belgian flag (the promoter of the project is Belgian) with as home port Saint Martin.
The project of crossing of the Atlantic with a small boat is an exceptional adventure which should receive a very favorable reception on behalf of the media. The financing of the boat was made by the promoter, but it still remains to find that for the crossing itself and its mediatization. Some sponsors already took part in the first phase, that they are thanked for it. The community of Saint Martin for its part financed via his Office of Tourism a significant part of the budget satellite communication while various other partners and sponsors already gave their support. It is nevertheless insufficient at present to ensure a mediatization the height of the quality of the event. Also, via this site, but also of other demonstrations, the promotion of the project will be assured and the renewed call to the generous sponsors.
For Saint Martin, but also Saint Martin de Ré, it is there an exceptional opportunity to make speak about the destination. Thereafter, the launching of the race, annual event with strong ecological connotation, will make it possible to position the two communes in the media panorama in a strong and positive way. All the partners of the event will be thus developed according to usual channels which are advertizing spaces, the photographs carrying logos, the participation in specific organizations (day presses, cocktail, baptism, departure, boat shows,….). Radio transmissions are also envisaged with Radio Calypso, a local radio which will ensure a daily connection at the time of the crossing. It is the advisability of ensuring of the dialogs via the radio with young people on the two sides of the Atlantic and thus of sensitizing them with the environmental protection. One of the partners of the project is for example the Natural Reserve of Saint Martin, which will play the game of the interactivity via the satellite to sensitize locally with the protection of our landscape and environmental richnesses. Relays with national antennas are also considered (RFI, France Inter).
Do not fail to download file pdf of presentation of the project and to contact us with the address:
Or on the telephone: +59 0590 51 94 25
Or on the portable telephone by taking account of the time shift (5h in less in winter, 6 in summer. It is thus 6 hours of the morning when it is 11h or midday in Western Europe.): +59 0690 53 69 66
Or by fax: +59 0590 51 94 26
Yves KINARD
