For future races, on these types of boats, would it be possible to rig up a stationary bicycle type of affair? The lower body would get a workout and the power generated could be linked to drive the coffee grinder pedestal winch.

by Joff Brown | Feb 4, 2017 | Q&A-Expert-wk14

Hi Jim: Thanks for your question. Bicycle type arrangements have indeed been fitted to a couple of the larger 105ft-130ft trimarans, as some of the maneuvers on these boats are very difficult singlehanded. I believe Alex Thomson did experiment on one of his older,...

Are there any sources of heat on Great American IV?

by Joff Brown | Dec 19, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A-Expert-wk7

Hi Cassidy and Vera, Thanks for your question. There is no heater on Rich’s boat. He had one on his boat in the 2008 race and thought this time he could do without. The engine does generate some heat when he runs it to charge the batteries but he does this only...

How many pounds can your vessel hold?

by Joff Brown | Dec 12, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A ExpertJoff wk6

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for your question. The boat weighs around 8800Kg (19,400lbs). Because it is a racing boat the aim is to carry as little weight as possible, as opposed to a commercial ship which wants to carry as much as possible. The lighter the boat is, the...

What sort of redundancy do you have for your overall electrical system?

by Joff Brown | Dec 12, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A ExpertJoff wk6

Hi Bob, Thanks for your question. We try to double up or carry spares for most of the systems on board. Read this answer Rich wrote, describing the four methods by which we can charge the batteries. Further down the  system we have three batteries on board which can...

With all the damage suffered by impacts with UFO’s so far into this race, has there been any consideration given to installing underwater collision detection systems?

by Joff Brown | Dec 12, 2016 | Q&A, Q&A ExpertJoff wk6

Hi Jim, Thanks for your question. I believe SAFRAN did trial a system at some point in one of the previous races but I don’t think it worked and I’ve not heard of anyone trying since. You can imagine some form of thermo imaging or sonar working in theory but I guess...