W.S.N.C. SOLAR NAVIGATOR - Team Background

The World Solar Navigation Challenge

2. TEAM BACKGROUND

WSNC as it is presented today was founded in 2003 by Nelson Kruschandl, our 52 year old project leader with a long history of inventions starting at just 17 years old when he designed, built and piloted what would later turn out to be the forerunner to the jet ski format. 

Fifteen years later after learning how to weld, mastering CAD and teaching himself moulding of metal bodywork he built his first car, from scratch (0 - 60 in 3.9 seconds) and using an innovative steering system that was patented (GB2218187 using a joystick instead of a wheel or floor pedals).

With the taste for pioneering awakened, he began working on the next project...building on the performance of the previous during which time he built a wind tunnel in which to test his inventions.  However, his interest in the environment was revived in the 1990's when the news highlighted global warming issues and the predicted fuel shortages.  

Nelson identified the major shortfall of electric cars on the market at the time... their slow refueling capacity meaning they couldn't compete with liquid fuel.  With this in mind, he incorporated an instant refueling system (patented in 1992 GB2253379)  into the new car design he was working on, giving the electric motor the practicality it had lacked.  

A car fitted with this system achieved a speed of 160 miles per hour which is significantly higher than the current land-speed record.  Since then, in between developing more car designs he become a BSAC qualified diver which renewed his enthusiasm for marine adventure spurring more boat designs, modelling and testing.  

The latest boat design came about as a result of the realisation that the wave drag could be significantly decreased through a rethink of simple hydrodynamic engineering principles, to combine this with ecologically sound propulsion.  Nelson developed a revolutionary new trimaran concept, which may be built cost effectively using sub-contractors to produce sub-assemblies, then assembled and fitted out by an experienced boat-builder and electrical engineers.

After identifying this opportunity in the technical sporting events market for the vessel to obtain a world first, Nelson subsequently formed the WSNC. In the last 3 years the projects website has gone from 5,000 hits a day to well over 700,000 (seasonally adjusted), achieving exceptionally high rankings in most search engines under the headings "Solar Boat," "Catamaran" and "Trimaran" in images searches, especially in Google and Yahoo. In fact our sister sites rank well under Solar Cars as well.

Following testing of several hull designs in 1/10 and 1/20^th scale, the Swath, Catamran and Trimaran designs were discarded and the current hybrid hull was developed.  Nelson backed up theoretical calculations from a feasibility study that an ocean-going vessel could harness enough consistent solar energy to drive an electric boat around the globe. This research has now been duplicated by competing teams and proven practically by the Sun21 team who crossed the Atlantic earlier in 2007.

MARKETING

In 2007 Katherine Hudson, 27, joins WSNC as our marketing and sponsorship manager.  Katherine has a successful event business with an impressively varied list of clients from Glastonbury Festival to Prince Charles and runs events from music arenas to weddings.  Recognising the opportunity this project represents in terms of advancement for mankind, adventure and excitement, Katherine has sidelined her own business in favour of our project.

BOAT BUILDING

Andy Fox, 35, has been our named boat-builder and fitter from the beginning of the project. His interest in the environment led Andy to build the EcoCat range of ecolically friendly Catamarans after several years of construction of vessels particularly in aluminium and carbon fibre.  He also has siginficant experience in installing electrical systems and helped develop the latest Port of London Authority launches.

ELECTRONICS

Alex Martin, 24, has several years experience designing electronic equipment, from missile guidance systems to Ferrari engine management systems. He also designs robots in his spare time. Alex has developed the tracking system and battery monitoring and charging circuits, used to track, direct and maximize the energy collected from the sun.

The WSNC headquarters is located in Sussex, England. The project currently employs 4 persons, including the project leader.  Arrangements are in place with subcontractors to complete the assembly and build of the vessel. 

SOLAR NAVIGATOR BUSINESS PLAN

In order to view the Appendices and other confidential information, investors will need to complete a Non Disclosure Agreement, which is available on request.

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