Moonshot – Our Floating Testbed
🌙 The Hybrid Cruiser
Moonshot is a 53-foot solar-electric-diesel vessel designed for long-range autonomy and continuous refinement.
🔧 Technical Snapshot
- Type: Sundeck Motoryacht
- Length: 53 ft
- Propulsion: Solar-electric with diesel fallback
- Energy Storage: 16 kWh lithium + 6.3 kW solar
- Additional Power: 8 kW generator + AC/DC chargers
💡 Design Philosophy
Moonshot is less a finished product and more an open-ended systems experiment. Every wire, watt, and wake tells us something. It’s built to test propulsion strategies, off-grid living, and intelligent routing in real-world conditions.
🌊 Core Capabilities
- ☀️ **Solar-powered daytime cruising**
- 🌀 **3 electric motors** for low-speed cruising
- ⛽ **Diesel planing** for extended range or emergencies
- 💧 **Watermaker + composting toilet** for full autonomy
- 🌬️ **Energy-efficient HVAC** for quiet, climate-controlled living
📦 Modular Systems
Everything aboard is modular: powerbanks, inverters, chargers, MPPTs. The system flexes to support both critical needs and experimental loads.
🧪 Why This Matters
Moonshot is not just our home — it’s a proving ground for Arpeggio, a platform that helps others run the numbers, model their own transitions, and weigh tradeoffs before casting off.
⚓ Curious how this all fits together? Explore the planning tools →
⚓ Felicitas – The Original Anchor
Felicitas is a lovingly converted 32' Bayliner 3288 — the boat that started it all. A capable cruiser with energy-smart upgrades and just enough space to dream in.
🔧 Technical Snapshot
- Type: Converted Motoryacht
- Length: 32 ft
- Propulsion: 1 kW electric motors + traditional diesel
- Solar Capacity: 1 kW panels
- Battery Bank: 3 kWh lithium with active cooling
- Power Management: High-end Victron DC-DC chargers throughout
- Other Features: Bow thrusters, energy-efficient heat pump, new flybridge canvas
🎥 More Videos
🛠️ Lessons from Felicitas
Felicitas showed us that full independence starts with thoughtful systems, not just size. From solar cruising to silent nights, she proved what's possible with good fundamentals and a bit of patience.
🔍 Notes
- 🚿 Water tank may have a minor seep — hasn’t affected daily use.
- ⚙️ Shaft seal is a traditional packing gland — functional and expected for this vintage.
📊 Curious what she can do on electric alone? Run the numbers or watch the video tour.