We're Moving Along -- and Looking for a Partner

 

Moving Ahead… and Looking for a Partner

The aluminum work on Nomadicat is moving along at an exciting pace! These latest photos show her really starting to take shape

— she’s looking more and more like a proper boat every day. The hydraulic lift for the tender is on its way, and we’re making the final payments for the e-Motion hybrid engines. Progress feels very real now.

We’ve also been puzzling over the rooftop solar array — part of Nomadicat’s hybrid power system. 

The current plan features two walkable solar arrays with a total of 18 panels, capable of generating about 4.7 kW/day. Right now, the system is spec’d for a single solar control box that feeds the batteries. However, the aft section of the roof will also hold the nav/comm mast, two rescue life rafts, and possibly a Thule roof box or kayaks — all of which could create about a 20% reduction in solar output due to shading.

Adding a second control box would mean only one of the two arrays is affected by shade, keeping the other at full efficiency. So our options are:

1. Stick with one control box and accept a 20% overall reduction,

2. Install one now but leave room to add another later, or

3. Go for two control boxes now — for about £8,000 more — and limit the loss to just 10%.

Given that “hotel” services (lights, galley fridge, nav instruments, pumps, etc.) will likely use about 2 kW/day, and that the e-Motion engines can fully recharge the batteries in just 20–30 minutes, we’re fine-tuning the balance between efficiency, cost, and convenience.

On the financial front, my house still hasn’t sold — and with today’s slower market, it may take a while. In hindsight, waiting for the sale before starting this build would have been the “smart” move. But at 77, Marilyn and I decided life’s too short to wait around. We wanted to get on with it — and Nomadicat is too exciting a project to put on hold.

That said, I’m now considering finding a co-owner or partner — someone who shares the same love of exploration, the sea, and sustainable cruising. We’d planned to spend about 100–120 days a year aboard, which leaves plenty of time for another owner to enjoy the Mediterranean season.

If you know someone who might be interested in sharing ownership (and the adventure), please let me know.

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