The Open Boat
I think a tradition was born last Friday, July 28. Sailing, learning, and fun were had by all at our “open boat†event. Captain Todd Shuster gave tours and sails on his recently re-powered catamaran. Now the west coast’s only biodiesel-electric charter sailing vessel. We listened to an underwater hydrophone (wow, it can be loud under water!), watched video footage from the Beam Reach program last fall, heard recorded killer whale sounds, and we all met interesting people. Here are some photos from the event.
Everyone marveled at the near silence of the Gato Verde’s electric motors. In fact, the only real reason you knew the motors were on was because we were moving, but the sails were down. There was wind so we were also treated to sailing under wind power alone.
Beam Reach alums Celia Barrosso and Laura Christoferson were on hand to tell people what it was like for them to study killer whales for ten weeks — five of which were at sea aboard the Gato Verde. For both it remains a highlight of their lives and continues to provide inspiration and guidance to their careers.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the day. Post a comment to this article so everyone can learn from you and hopefully be inspired to attend next year’s event.
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Melanie
August 3rd, 2006 at 20:12
That was my first trip on a catamaran and I think I’m spoiled now. When we left the dock it was like sitting half awake in an airplane that is departing from the gate and you’re not quite sure whether you’re moving or the rest of the world is moving. The engine is that quiet. All of the winches are self-tailing and everything is in ship shape. I really hope I can get back onboard the Gato Verde again for more than a few minute cruise.
Enough about the amazing and wonderful boat. The video was really neat, and in talking to the instructors there is way more than just snapping video and listening to an underwater language when researchers whale watch. I never really liked physics, nor particularly cared for the ‘waves’ portion of the course, but I really want to know more about the sonar the whales and researchers use. Maybe I can finally put my diving certification to good use!
Scott Veirs
August 3rd, 2006 at 22:19
Great recollections and thoughts, Melanie!
It was indeed eerie seeing Gato Verde accelerate away from the dock without the old, familiar clacking of the dual diesel engines. The first time I panicked, thinking the boat was being swept rapidly away by wind and current, heading for a collision with the huge Alaska ferry unbeknownst to Captain Todd! If you’ve ever been startled by a hybrid automobile (like my parents’ Prius) silently drifting down a driveway, you know the feeling of momentary panic and subsequent technological bemusement.
I stayed on land during the sea trials and can report that the boat was generally inaudible when listening through the hydrophone we had lowered about 3 meters below the dock. I was worried that the sail drives would be noisy, but the only time we really heard any underwater mechanical noise was when Todd revved the motors to rapidly start or stop the boat. Then there was the typical roar of white noise which we assume is related to propeller cavitation.
It will be very interesting to take Gato Verde back to our test site in Griffin Bay and compare underwater noise levels quantitatively. For the moment, though, I’m confident that
Gato Verde is emitting much less underwater noise with the diesels removed. A big question is how much sound will be generated by the biodiesel generator (we ran the motors only on battery power during the "open boat") and how much of that sound gets through the sound-absorbing paint Todd added to the motor compartment walls.
Classicyachting
July 1st, 2007 at 12:55
Electric engines are today more commonly placed in ols classic sailing boats. Especially if you look at the Scandinavian countries where the lack of strong tides makes it very simple to get in and out of harbours and the range they need to travel under power can be limited to just the short trip between the yacht mooring and the harbour entrance. This makes electric engines ideal for this purpose. It of course is also better for the enviorment.