20 November 2017 Canal Boat canalboat.co.uk
R
yan and I met in a marina
where we both had traditional
diesel-powered boats, but we
had a green vision, we wanted
to build an eco-boat.
Being on the Thames at Hampton and
close to nature made us think more
about the impact of diesel engines in
terms of both noise and pollution. Given
the rapid advances in technology for
electric vehicles on our roads, we
figured that there must be a more
sustainable way to be on our rivers
and canals too.
While my background is in television
production, making natural history
programmes for clients such as the BBC,
ITV and National Geographic, Ryan is a
former South African Navy diver with
more than 20 years’ experience in the
construction trade.
Having spent many years living on
boats over many years he devoted
plenty of time to researching and testing
various technical and logistical elements
of solar electric boat design before our
boat, The SunFlower, was launched.
It’s a 65ft widebeam and took a year
from steelwork to fit-out and is bristling
with technology. There’s no diesel
engine and no gas onboard, so when
we are out cruising the Thames itSilence is golden
Solar power was the only option for liveaboard
couple striving for complete sustainability
BY HAYLEY SMITH AND RYAN COLLINGWOOD
Putting the wide in widebeam