Alternative propulsion systems for environment friendly daily excursion type leisure boats

Alternative energy systems are spreading rapidly around the world and are the hot topic for R&D studies in developed countries. This study aims at the adaptation of such "solar powered systems," which are economic and the most widespread among the alternative energy systems to leisure boats used in Köycegiz Lake. It further aims at offering an alternative to the conventional systems that cause environmental pollution and establishing the use of such systems in marine transportation. There are about 2,000 boats running daily excursion tours along coastal waters of Turkey. More than half of them operate in the Aegean Sea region. The number of boats in Köycegiz Dalyan itself is reaching to 350. Diesel engines on the boats operating in the region create a great deal of noise, air, and water pollution. In this work, relevant parameters of propulsion systems powered by alternative and direct current and cost analysis have been investigated. Furthermore, alternative propulsion and powering systems were considered for the existing boats. Based on the results of this study, boat types, which may be used in other regions, having different hull forms and solar powered propulsion systems, were also suggested.