Australian Amateur Boat Builder — January 2018

go sail cargo

I

n the last issue I wrote about sailing cargo ships

and their role in our brave new world. Well I’ve

gone a step further and, prompted by Ben of Royal

Queensland Yacht Squadron, designed a new two-

container coastal cargo boat.

The transportation industry is undergoing a revolution

with all the big players, without exception, investing

heavily (and sometimes fruitfully) in electric power.

Sadly, the Australian government with its unhealthy

coal and oil obsession, is light years behind. As

the planet sleep walks into an environmental

Armageddon, we’re going to give a billion dollars to

an Indian corporate criminal conglomerate to stash in

the Cayman Islands.

No coal on my new boat, and there’s Buckley’s

chance of any Cayman collateral either, but there is a

powerful Ketch rig with twin topsails and a big bank of

batteries powering twin electric motors. Lots of solar

too, and cabins for paying passengers.

The boat is to be built in steel and available as a kit.

Don’t laugh, I’m serious! Of course a 90ft steel cargo

ScruffIEWORldnEWS

by Derek ellarD http://www.scruffie.com

Our new sailing cargo boat.