WiTHiN :: Pedal the Ocean :: From Canada to Hawaii by Human Power

WITHIN was designed by world record winning naval architect Stuart Bloomfield, and Pedalttheocean chief engineer Rick Willoughby. She is a fully faired, self-righting pedal powered boat capable of high speed in good conditions and maintaining way in adverse weather conditions. The boat is performance optimized for Greg’s continuous power output and weekly provisioning requirements. WITHIN incorporates modern materials and technology to ensure a lightweight craft without compromise for Greg’s safety and overall performance.

WiTHiN features 5 water tight compartments: A bow compartment (small storage), Forward compartment (main storage to hold over a 100 days worth of food and supplies), cockpit (floodable with a bilge pump), Sleeping cabin, stern compartment (small equipment storage). Solar panels and a wind generator are used to provide Electrical energy to power the electronics: 2 way radio, satellite phone, computer, GPS, AIS monitor, EPIRB, bilge pump, desalinator water maker, navigation light, iPod and autosteer.

WiTHiN is powered by a drive leg custom designed and built by PedalTheOcean sponsor MitrPak. The drive leg is a single unit which is inserted through a well in the forward area of the cockpit. The drive leg can be replaced with a spare unit, or serviced if repairs are required. At 150 watts of input power, 80 rpm, WiTHiN's speed is about 8 to 9 kph.

To view more photos of construction progress:

BLOG: http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPB/labels/boatbuilding.html

PHOTOS: http://picasaweb.google.com/adventuresofgreg/OceanBoatDesign

About the test boat WiTHiN-Prototype

WITHIN-Prototype is a proof of concept boat based on a 2- man kayak hull that enabled rapid development of the technology required to make WITHIN viable.

The prototype is based on a Nimbus Hyak tandem kayak which is 22 feet long by 28" wide. The kayak deck was removed and the custom full deck that you see in the photo was fabricated and permanently bonded to the kayak hull. The aerodynamic deck features a wrap around window and hatch on the top for entry/exit. The boat is propelled by pedals that turn a chain which drives a right-angle gear box spinning a 2-blade propeller. Stability is achieved with a weighted keel suspended below the boat.

There are three water tight compartments: the cockpit, the rear cabin, and the front supplies storage area. Solid buoyancy compartments in the bow and stern ensure that Within cannot sink. Air trapped in one or more of these three compartments, along with the ballast and the keel will ensure that Within turns upright if capsized.

At 150 watts of input power, 80 rpm, WiTHiN-prototype speed is about 7 to 8 kph.

Sea trials with the test boat

In January of 2008 Greg took the test boat to Canada's west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino for sea trials. WiTHiN was found to be very wobbly and she bobbed around excessively. The wind shield collected water and was difficult to see through. Greg also tried sleeping over night in the sleeping cabin, but found it to be very cramped and uncomfortable.

Insert a few photos of the sea trials

Sea Trials #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZQQzxDR5to

In April of 2008, WiTHiN test boat was taken back to Tofino to test a 100 lb keel in hopes that it would resolve the stability issue. The keel worked well and the sea trials were successful, as Greg was able to pedal WiTHiN 20 km directly west into the Pacific ocean. The sea state was 5 to 6 meters (15 to 18 feet) swells and WiTHiN was very stable.

Insert a few photos of the sea trials

Embed 2 YouTube videos of the sea trials:

Sea Trials #2: http://www.vimeo.com/894551