Navgathi launched a compact 4 pax solar powered boat in International Marine Boat Expo 2012 conducted between Dec 14-16 2012. These boats are one of the smallest available solar boats in the world.
The features of the boat include: length (3.6 m), breadth (1.65 m), depth (0.60 m), draft (0.3 m); solar power (400 W), battery bank (1.56 kWh), propulsion motor (500 W), and speed (5 knots.). On a bright sunny day the boat can cruise at 4 knots for the whole day. The boat has been tested for stability as per Inland Rules of Kerala.
There are two variants of the model namely SX and QX. Both of them are made of robust construction using FRP (2 layer CSM 450 mat and 1 layer of WRM 600). Only marine grade resin (isothalic) and kerox colour pigment are used for durability and finish. A magnetic compass is provided for ease of navigation. In the premium version in addition GPS and a shore charging facility is provided to use the boat in low light conditions and night.
The firm is listed internationally as a Solar boat manufacturer building larger solar boats and ferries. The Solar Boats ranges include 10 Pax & 20 Pax. The Solar Ferries ranges are 40 Pax and 75 Pax. With this launch the firm hope to enter the compact solar boat segment.
The 4th International Marine Boat Expo had international participating brands of cruisers, Luxury Yachts, power boats, water sports etc. Solar boats from Navgathi was a crowd puller and received accolades from the media and visitors alike.
The boat is expected to showcased in Kerala sometime next month.
For details of the boat, check out: https://mudita.aquaphile.in/suncrz-9/