Constance and Clément defend, through their association Green Sailing, a more reasoned and environmentally friendly consumption. After 3 months of work at the Carenes Services shipyard in the port of Pointe-Rouge in Marseille, they have transformed a second-hand Océanis 40 from a standard production boat into a more autonomous sailing yacht. They will set sail, at the beginning of December 2020, as soon as the containment is lifted, with one goal: to raise awareness of the need to reduce waste, whether plastic, food or energy waste.
Energy autonomy
"In order to be energy self-sufficient, we have installed 2 rigid 215W Victron energy photovoltaic panels at the rear of our sailboat on a gantry. We have also added two 115W Sunpower flexible solar panels that tolerate trampling. This will allow us to charge the 4 batteries on the boat that power our navigation instruments and our watermaker"
In addition to this solar energy, we have opted for a Seatronic S600 hydrogenerator installed at the rear of the boat, which will enable us to produce electricity while sailing under sail. It will produce 110W from 5 knots of speed and this production of electricity can increase according to the speed of the boat", says Clément, a renewable energy engineer.
"As far as the engine is concerned, our goal will be to use it as little as possible." clément confides to us. Nevertheless, it remains a tool for recharging the batteries in case of failure of the solar panels and the hydrogenerator. Their motor is connected to an independent battery "to avoid unpleasant surprises and to make sure you can start the engine in any situation." and the 4 batteries mentioned above. In order to optimize the charging of the batteries when the engine is running, they have replaced the original alternator with a more powerful alternator and have also installed a Mastervolt alternator regulator. This enables them to recharge the batteries faster and therefore consume less diesel.
100% water self-sufficient
"We are currently installing an energy-efficient Zen 30 desanilizer from Schenker that produces 30 litres of fresh water per hour. The goal will be to use this technology in shipping to fill the tanks and not have to go to port for supplies."
This technology will allow them to be self-sufficient in water for personal consumption (no more plastic bottles) or for sanitary use. In order to limit their consumption of fresh water, they will make maximum use of the seawater foot pump in the kitchen and they have installed an outdoor seawater shower!
Reduction of food waste
Constance and Clément want to raise awareness about waste reduction. They will leave Marseille without plastic. They have therefore prepared in advance all the meals for their Atlantic crossing in sterilized jars, giving priority to bulk and organic products.
As coffee consumers, they discovered the Handpresso, a pump allowing them to make a real espresso by hand from ground coffee (no more coffee machine and therefore no more electricity consumption, no more pods and therefore no more waste!)
They decided to bring two chickens with them. "Cloche and Maloche will allow us to have fresh eggs every day and they will also contribute to reduce our bio-waste since we will feed them", says Constance. The establishment of a vegetable garden with herbs, radishes, sprouted seeds and potatoes will also allow them to be more independent.
Their sailing boat Green Sailing is gradually being transformed into a lab boat and will enable them to raise awareness of waste reduction, whether plastic or energy waste, through eco-cruises in the Caribbean arc. They will also take part in participatory science studies during their navigation (mammal, macro-plastic and phytoplankton surveys). You can support the association and discover zero-waste tips that you can implement on your boat or at home!
