Man who built $20,724 solar-powered yacht that can run forever has started building a new one after it capsizes in disaster

The YouTuber who built a solar-powered yacht decided to build a solar-powered catamaran after reaching Sweden.

So far, so normal. After all, he said he wanted to build a catamaran ages ago.

The problem is that this project is now a priority due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

The unforeseen circumstances

YouTuber True North – real name Lukas Sjoman – the guy who built a solar-powered yacht that can virtually run forever on a shoestring budget, is now building a catamaran.

The idea to build a catamaran was first mentioned months ago, but now he’s decided to speed up his project because his other boat, Helios 11, capsized after a 3,728-mile journey.

Documented extensively on his channel, the $20,724 vessel faced multiple hardships during its travels, ranging from extreme heat to local hostility.

But the final blow came when heavy waves from a large ferry shifted the solar-powered yacht’s bottom-heavy batteries, altering its center of gravity and causing it to capsize in a harbor.

Stranded by local bureaucracy and an incoming storm, Sjoman was prevented from rescuing the prototype in time, leaving it heavily battered against the breakwater.

Why building a solar-powered catamaran will be harder than building a yacht

One of the biggest challenges with his yacht was choosing the correct type of solar panels and deciding where to fit them.

But the thing is, finding a sizable flat surface on which you can place solar panels on a yacht is relatively simple.

But a catamaran is different, because it comes with two parallel hulls that are generally way too narrow.

Placing the panels on the deck would be an alternative, but you’d be sacrificing space you could use for something else.

Sjoman seems to have found a solution, and he said he’ll likely install the panels on the deck but also on the cabin roof.

And it’ll be expensive, too.

In his estimation, he’s going to need at least $40,000, so around twice his original budget.

The catamaran will be built in Sweden

With help from a friend, the YouTuber has set up a custom 20-meter build hall, which will be large enough to house the 16-meter solar-powered catamaran.

“You don’t have to rent a big workshop. You can make your own actually,” he joked in the video.

They started by building a smaller, five-meter mockup using foam materials.

The idea was to test the overall structure and proportions and make sure it can float, which it did.

“I want to build a future of entirely solar and energy autonomous yachting and living. And I don’t worry about making mistakes. That’s sort of the point of this. We’re figuring out the most efficient ways to build [this],” he said.

We don’t know how long it’ll take to build the vessel.

But this guy seems pretty capable, so it’ll be ready sooner rather than later.