S.T.E.V.I

Solar Technology Electric Vessel Integration - aka “STEVI”

The creation of STEVI began in 2006 as just an idea following Hurricane Dennis, and during the time Jeb Bush made a state-wide request to restrict the use of boating (primarily “leisure” boating), due to the possible lack of fuel.  Bobby Switzer then went to Mike Bredesen and proposed the idea of building a solar electric boat.  During this time, Rick Zern, Brian Waters, Bobby and Mike were working on which hull design to use. Brian Waters recommended and elected to use Catamaran Stiletto hulls due to their light weight. 

Rick located the hulls while Mike was attending Gel Coat School in central Florida. The group who is affiliated with the Stiletto hulls met with Mike, and he chose a set that was acceptable for repair and use on the vessel. He brought the hulls back to Flat Island BoatWorks in Pensacola, Florida for preliminaries in the use and building of the vessel. It was then decided who would contribute to the project and what part of the building process each would be involved in as listed below: 

STEVI Participants:

* Rick Zern- Locating suitable hulls/consulting

* Bobby Switzer- Design/research/consulting/funding

* Brian Waters- Research/consulting

* Mike Bredesen- Design/build/project management

* Roland Stanton- Metal fabrication/design

* Dennis Buchanan- Electrical/design/installation

* Mark Hyma- Motor/design/installation (prototype/experimentation)

* Donald Long- Solar/electrical/research/design

* Richard Edmonston- Battery consulting

* See Level Graphics - Exterior graphic design

Boat STATS:

* 28 ½ foot

* 12 solar panels (6 each side)

* 735 AMPs (each side)

* 20 golf cart batteries (10 each side)

* 5 HP Electric Ray motors w/hydraulic trim & tilt

Development Time Line: 

2006, January 10 -Marks the start of the actual experimental design process. The majority of work was completed after hours, and the many, many hours of devoted ‘work, sweat, and tears’ that went into the designing process was definitely considered a labor of love by all.  There were some very long days and various stages in testing different motors to find out what size would be needed.  The first motor tested used 25 HP, however, the Ray Electric outboard motor was found to be the best fit for use on this project.

2006, March 2 -Began the official ‘building’ of STEVI when it was taken off the trailer and put on the rack.

2008, July 12 -STEVI was first placed in the water and made her first public appearance at the Blue Angels air show at Pensacola Beach, Florida.

2011, June -It’s currently been three years, and STEVI has not needed plugged in to charge this entire time to date...  Stay tuned!