The Turanor PlanetSolar set the first record for a solar powered circumnavigation on the 4th of May 2012. It took six years from project launch to complete their amazing feat. The achievement is no less than putting a man on the moon or breaking the sound barrier.

The Elizabeth Swan is a potential contender to try to better that record.  The development of this project has been mostly in the backyard and on local waters. So far five development models have been built and tested. The sixth has a triple hull design that has never been built before. The design is revolutionary. But we cannot say more than that for now. Not until the latest development model has been tested.

The Challenge is of course open to anyone. If you think you can design a solar powered boat to beat the current record of 584 days, why not let us know about it - all are most welcome.

The proposed route for this research expedition is set out below:

CIRCUMNAVIGATION MILESTONE EXPEDITION ESTIMATES

USE THE LINKS ABOVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE P

THE BOATS

Though the technology is similar, the designs use quite different approaches. PlanetSolar started out as a wave piercing trimaran, ending up as a catamaran. Since that time the Elizabeth Swan has gone through various stages of testing. Wave piercing models have been developed and tested, the aim being to improve performance and reduce build costs, through catamaran to trimaran and now in 2019 the Cleaner Ocean Foundation are hoping to tank test a semi-submerged active hull  One day it may be possible to travel around the world on solar power, in under 80 days.  Jules Verne would have loved this. It will take a whole lot more development before that is possible.

If you would like to learn more about either of these projects, please use the contact information below.

CONTACTS:

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