© engineering your future -
Schools Marine Challenge Race Day Results -
Click here to download the full results
At Bluewater we were blessed with the sun for exactly the time it took to
run the
event, so somebody up there values the solar energy challenge!
With the same sun shining down on all the boats there was significant
difference
in performance and reliability, even between the primary
school teams who all had
the same equipment. The main factor in making
the fastest boat is to have an efficient
powertrain system, from the careful
assembly of the solar panels to the motor and
propeller shaft having as little friction as possible.
The Leigh Academy brought the best of a full year nine group boats and some of them had stunning performance with no two alike. In the end though they were narrowly beaten into second place in the solar class and this was to typify their day despite being clear winners with both electric and ic racing.
St Andrews School accrued enough class wins to give them the overall title, but maybe the trophy needed to go away for a while as this would have been the third year in succession they would have won it. So, St Andrew secured a well deserved winning team after impressing the judges with their knowledge of Marine design and manufacture with a flotilla of hydroplanes.
Not to be outdone by the secondary school pupils Knockhall primary school had six teams and came a very close forth in the solar class with the boats they built on the day with their ‘Girl Power ‘ team.
As the pack up began the rain clouds formed, but it didn’t really matter by then, as teams were already talking of preparing for next year.
With grateful thanks to our supporters without whom there would not be a Schools Marine Challenge.
Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust
British Marine Federation (BMF)
Clarke Vacuum Forming Machines
Xtrac for the fantastic trophies
Leigh Academy by the Solar Pond
Overall Champions -