More just looking at options... My boats only 26 feet, but im dreaming of
the day when i win $100million and build the 75 foot catamaran that I've
always dreamed of ;-)

Having pedal power generation would be just another arrow in the quiver, to
go allong side a standalone generator, alternators on the dual engines, twin
windmill power generators, solar, and of course electronic motors capable of
hybrid modes....

Of course it goes without saying that the boat would have numerous
redundancies, like either one, or both twin engines could be used to
generate electricity to power the twin electric motors turning the props,
but those same props would also have electronic clutches on the electric
motors and a second set of drive gears that could be run directly off either
one, or both the diesel motors by hydraulics. And that same hydraulic
system could be used to run winches, and even the refrigeration system whose
compressors could be run hydraulically or electrically. There would also be
electric motors capable of driving the hydraulics, giving you numerous
redundancies of driving anything on the boat off the batteries by
electronics, or if electronics had failed then by hydraulics, or directly
off the motors once they were started, and many options for charging the
immense battery bank. It goes without saying that said vessel would also
have retractable wings, and be capable of flying albeit at sub-sonic speeds.
naturally it would also be capable of diving down to a depth of 1000metres
below sea level and would also shrink down to the size of a ferrari and
sprout wheels so that you could drive it to work and impress all your
colleagues. Im still working on the colour scheme, which would be pivotal
in impressing said colleagues.

Shaun

" ray lunder wrote in message
...
In the film, "soylent green" actor Edward G. Robinson pedals an
exercise bike driving an automotive alternator to charge batteries so
we know it's possible in the movies. I heard of someone doing it on an
off-the-grid island too. Maybe a folding bike would save space. You
must have quite a large boat to be considering something like that. If
your craft sails at 5 or 6 knots you can tap off the prop shaft and
get it for free unless you need the exercise. Some systems use a
larger wheel on the shaft to drive the small pulley on the alternator.
Bon Voyage.

On Fri, 11 May 2007 12:36:15 GMT, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:

Thinking that nothing is ever gained or lost in a system, only transferred
and typically at a loss, Ive often thought of what sustainability is in a
nuts-and-bolts kind of way. Something Ive been thinking of, off and on
over
the last few years is how much electricity a human being can generate.
Using running water as a source is all good, but lets say you were to
build
a simple machine consisting of maybe some parts of a bicycle including the
peddles, gears, chain etc, then instead of the wheel, you could have the
alternator out of a car. Or, if tha was too much to peddle, you could use
the wheel (or a substitute) as a pulley then another pulley going to the
alternator. How many amps can a person generate at 12V?

Something like this would be simple, dead cheap, and would provide an
excellent backup when all else has failed in the middle of nowhere and
your
generator/solar/engine/wind power have all died and you need to charge
your
batteries. Beyond that, I wouldnt feel at all bad about pedalling for a
couple of hours a day on a long voyage as opposed to running the engine
for
a couple of hours. Sort of earning your daily bread, if you like.

Thoughts?

Shaun