SEA CHARGER
Damon McMillan’s solar-powered boat autonomously navigated
2,413 miles from California to Hawaii in 2016 (see “The Little
Boat that Could,” Make: Volume 55, makezine.com/2017/01/25/
seacharger). Then he sent it along to New Zealand for the heck of
it, and nearly made it; after 6,480 nautical miles the rudder failed,
but still! Amazing. Now, Damon says, “I am actively working on a
version 2.0 that I hope to be able to sell as a kit for others who want
to do this type of thing.” seacharger.com
LOCARB
I
nspired by McMillan’s feat, Adrian Li built a Low-Cost Autonomous
Robot Boat for less than $2,000, based on an R/C motor and ESC,
a 110W Sunpower solar panel, Arduino Mega microcontroller,
PixHawk 1 autopilot, and RockBlock Iridium satellite modem. After
two shakedown attempts last year, he launched it May 30 from
California to Hawaii and it made 615 miles before succumbing to
spring winds and leaks in the battery compartment. Try, try again.
Adrian has shared his designs, code, and tips: locarbftw.com
OPEN OCEAN ROBOTICS
Husband-and-wife explorers Julie and Colin Angus spent years
doing water expeditions for National Geographic, then launched this
startup in Tofino, British Columbia, building robust, surf-worthy
USVs to gather data on the environment and sea life on Canada’s
seemingly endless coastlines. openoceanrobotics.com
Damon McMillan, Adrian Li, Open Ocean Robotics
DO:
• Budget ¼ of your timeline for design, ¼ for build, and ½ for testing. At least ½.
• Include a bilge pump — regardless of your confidence in your boat’s watertightness.
• Test core components like the motor and rudder servo — for months — on the bench.
• Select important components like solar panels and batteries early in the design phase —
before building your boat.
• Compile and use a testing checklist. It’s too easy to forget to bring the rudder, the custom-
made Allen key, or the spare battery when you head out for testing at 2am.
DON’T:
• Set a launch date ASAP. Announce it loudly and confidently.
• Glue all hatches shut just prior to launch, so no one can tamper with your boat.
• Pot all connections in epoxy, test the system, and then rework as needed.
• Find the limit of your telemetry range by driving the boat away from you.
• Keep the keel bulb as light as possible to save on weight.
Autonomous Boat Do’s and Don’ts Some lessons we learned the hard way.
Ro, Ro, Roboats More USV projects we love. Per ardua ad mare.
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