Gaia's Dream does not use any fossil fuels in her normal use. She runs totally on alternative energy sources, sun, wind, bio fuel and ethanol.
She can be used in a passenger mode or cargo mode or a mix of both.
Her major advantage is her high speed; she can cover twice as much ground as a mono hull and will use less fuel.
Her rugged construction and large size insures that she even can keep going in all weather. She should be able to achieve 240 miles a day without cargo.
The figures indicate that she can sail without cargo from Australia to Europe in less than 2 months; this includes the use of 1200 litres of bio fuel. Her top speed under sail in the right conditions is over 20 knots; in calm weather on the engine she will make 10 knots with a normal range of 1200 miles; (which can be extended). She is highly maneuvrable.
Principal dimensions of Gaia's Dream:
- Loa: 21.6 meters (71 ft)
- Boa: 11.5 meters (38 ft)
- Draft boards up no cargo: 0.4 meters (1,3 ft)
- Draft boards up cargo: 0.7 meters (2,3 ft)
- Draft boards down: 2.5 meters (8,2 ft)
- Displacement in passenger mode: 9 tons
- Displacement in cargo mode: 17 tons
- Working rig: 132 square meters
Gaia's Dream is a versatile proa. She has a variety of uses, including.
- Transport mode. She can move goods to and from small islands or remote places with no docking facilities, eg, import and export to and from remote Pacific islands. She can be beached for loading and unloading; total cargo capacity is 9 tons, which can include a car or other deck cargo of up to 3 tons.
- Expedition mode. She sleeps up to 12 people including crew. Thanks to her shallow draft she can access most inlets and rivers. Her large deck can store an ultra light amphibian aircraft, which can be launched with the boom. She can carry substantial supplies for long voyages. She should be able to stay at sea or unsupported for a minimum of 4 months, depending on crew size. Under certain conditions she can be pulled onto the ice/beach with the aid of blocks and tackles.
Ideal for expeditions like:
- Global warming research, eg, to sub Antarctic islands.
- Circumnavigating the Antarctic, both the Americas or be the first catamaran to travel unsupported through the Northwest Passage.
- Whale or other sea life research, eg, following species on their annual trek.
- Taking researchers to remote places.
- Visiting remote aboriginal communities.
- Researching radiation issues at Mururoa Atoll and affected islands in the South Pacific.
