Distant Shores TVvideo

Ask Us Anything! Building an Aluminum Sailboat | EP 243

December 2, 2023 · 17 min · 38K views · Makkum

What this video covers

The construction of a custom aluminum Orion 49 sailboat in the Netherlands utilizes a full-scale particle board mock-up to build interior cabinetry in parallel with hull fabrication.3:03 This method allows craftsmen to fit custom units without waiting for the completion of hull-side systems like wiring and plumbing, potentially accelerating the build schedule by six months.3:20 The hull features spray-applied, two-part foam insulation to prevent condensation and manage thermal conduction, which is significant in aluminum vessels.7:22 The boat incorporates a parallel hybrid electric drive system, allowing the engine to drive the propeller shaft directly if the electric motor fails.8:44 A 30-kilowatt-hour lithium battery bank, comprised of 24 Super B batteries, powers the system, while an 800-watt solar array and propeller-driven regeneration provide energy for daily operations.13:05 Following a late-February launch, the owners plan to conduct initial sea trials in the Netherlands and the UK before sailing to the Lofoten Islands and Svalbard, eventually aiming for a third transit of the Panama Canal.14:48

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