gsc logo
GO SAIL CARGO

NEWS

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

1 March 2024

March 2024 marks a milestone as it was six years ago that I began to devote serious time to Go Sail Cargo. All delays are a blessing in disguise as we have been able to refine and develop our range of new vessels. What’s more the accelerating pace of technology has strengthened our business case, hardened our resolve and the right people are now on the gangplank.

The time for serious global solutions was yesterday and the time for green media magnets is at hand so we announce our intention to enter a new zero emission sailing cargo ship – with cargo – in the Sydney/Hobart. Everything sponsorable is on the table for ambitious artisans, paying passengers, hungry lawyers or desperate bands.

Think of the kudos!

Think of the global publicity!

Think of the once in a lifetime opportunity!

A new era begins, and all for the price of a new set of sails for the good ship Law Connect!

Email me —derek@scruffie.com

STORNAWAY GETS A FACELIFT!

17 January 2024

The Stornaway 24-28 is upgraded —now 25-29 — a little larger with more sail area and greater cargo/passenger capacity. Plus extra ballast lower down in the keel and it all add up to self-righting and greater sail capacity so the new version ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a boat that has evolved over a few years. I first saw her as a mini cargo/passenger/tourist boat and an obvious application was as a new whaler – a reincarnation of the ship’s boat for transferring provisions and people from shore to ship. There’s a transom sterned version shown on theEC 180-36 drawings.

The boat grew in the drawings so there’s now a gaff cutter, A solar powered fantail (a rounded counter stern) launch and a full 4-berth cruiser. I intend to build them all to survey for sail training, all sorts of greenwash-free tourist operations and sustainable adventuring. By way of comparison, Captain Bligh sailed nearly 4,000 nautical miles across the Pacific in a smaller, heavier and much slower whaler. As you would expect after two hundred and thirty years, the Stornaway is light years ahead on all counts. So, if ever there’s a mutiny on the schooner. . .

Stornaway 25-29 drawing

✲ DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS HERE

Introducing the new EC-100-8

An 8 container version of the Electric Clipper 100

25 June 2023

The enlarged cargo bays necessitated a complete redesign of the accommodation layout but the small increases in beam and length have enabled the crew and passenger facilities to be improved.

Other upgrades include electric rim drive pods, externally mounted dagger boards, increased sail area with solar on the mainsail and mizzen, improved sail stowage, longer gaff crane, deleting the mizzen derrick and the now unbroken sheerline.

The first hand-drawn rendering will shortly be supplemented by the digitised hull lines of the original EC 100 and the new accommodation layouts.

EC-100-8

We hope this new zero emission cargo ship will meet your expectations, and we welcome your feedback — emailderek@scruffie.com

UPDATE JUNE 2023

15 June 2023

Over five years in development, our range of zero emission vessels have continuously evolved and undergone numerous design upgrades, making full use of ongoing marine advances. We are at a stage now where the basic designs are sound and all elements can be easily updated if appropriate. It has been well worth the wait as the technological improvements have dramatically improved the efficiency of the ship, the potential profitability and the ecological footprint.

The EC 100 in its revised form, is the most advanced of our ships and the one generating most interest, so it will be the first to undergo full digital optimisation, engineering and compliance work with our marine architects prior to shipyard readiness. We will then be able to offer study plans, revised specifications, build options and prices.

In its evolution, the ship has grown in size with greater sail area and features an optional 8 container capacity. The dagger boards are now fitted outboard and we are favouring twin electric propulsion rim drive pods. Solar panels on the sails are now a viable proposition and advances in recycled materials, green steel, 3D printing and much more combine to make a good boat a world class sailing cargo ship.

We ask all who are interested in our maritime solutions to bear with us as we refine the numerous and complex aspects of carbon-neutral shipping. We thank you for your support and patience, and as ever we are available via email derek@scruffie.com

MARCH 2023

22 March 2023

Unlike so many businesses today, we prefer to restrict our news post to items of real interest for our followers. Progress at Go Sail Cargo and our original marine business Scruffie Marine, has been steady despite a raft of covid related setbacks, and international enquiries continue to increase. Potential carbon-neutral shippers, from Pacific Nations to a French organic wine broker, are getting serious, an Asian shipyard is looking at possibilities and negotiations are underway for the sale of Scruffie Marine to American interests. Sadly, nothing much from Australia but a welcome endorsement from one of the UK’s most influential yachtsmen, Pete Goss MBE. Here it is.

"Monet’s paintings offer a window into a past where windmills ground our corn and pumped water to reclaim much of the Netherlands as we know it. Sails carried cargo across the oceans and even populated Australia. These echo’s from the past are coming back as we reinvigorate our recognition of this abundant clean and free energy. Just as wind mills have morphed into the wind turbines that grace our lands so will we start to see innovative sailing ships elbow their way into the territory of modern day shipping. It's time to stop polluting the wind and to start harnessing it. Go Sail Cargo offer a menu of versatile emission free ships that incorporate existing technologies to achieve sustainable marine transport. Having looked at their motives and studied their designs I like the cut of their Jib."

Another step forward is my new cargo ship, The Trader 50, designed for multiple use but mainly to fill a gap between the Secret Trader40 model and the EC – 74. The 40 was originally developed for the USA as a sensible response to their Jones Act restrictions, but the 50 is a better way to move a container. Clearly more spacious, there’s a decent deckhouse, two mini cabins for the crew and up forward, separate accommodation for two passengers. The extra length equates to better seakeeping, more speed and there’s extra cargo space each side above the ballast tanks. Full specifications coming soon, but meanwhile here are the pen drawings, the final step before I hand them over for digitisation and optimisation. Note the Lute Stern!

Secret Trader 50 under sail


✲ FULL SET OF DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS HERE

TWO BLOG POSTS

27 July 2022

Two recent posts by Derek Ellard on the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST) Blog
CLICK HERE: Shipping solutions – a call to arms

CLICK HERE: Go Sail Cargo – The new Corporate Entity and its potential

VIDEO

16 December 2021

Eight minutes of fluid thinking from Derek Ellard — our new video

CLICK HERE

SEPTEMBER 2021

September 2021

After many months of development Go Sail Cargo is pleased to announce no less than four new models – 2 new schooners, one with a maximum capacity of 36 TEUs, a new single container sloop and a new ship’s boat, a whaler for the 21st century. While the hull lines, sailplans and general arrangement details are decided, work on the drawings and detailed specifications is still ongoing. Meanwhile here are some outline specs and some of my scale sketches.

The Clipper 180-24 and Clipper 180-36

Acting on the advice and informed feedback from shipping expert Sven De Wachter, both ships feature increased cargo capacity yet still share many details such as sailplans. Building on the earlier C160, the new steel-hulled gaff-rigged schooners now have cargo capacities of up to 36 TEUs.

The C180-24 will take 24 TEUs plus 120 pallets, 1260 cubic metres, up to 650 tonnes. The 180-24 will be available as a cargo only version or with reduced pallet capacity, 12 passengers in well-appointed cabin suites.

The C180-36 will take 36 TEUs, 1,400 cubic metres, up to 850 tonnes. This ship has a beamier hull and larger electric engines. Accommodation for 12 passengers is standard. Crew levels are the same for both versions at a minimum of 6 with berths for 12.


container ship
ship with containers

The Secret Trader 40

This boat was designed to dovetail in between the Secret 33 and the Clipper 74 and will carry a single container or 34 cubic metres. A maximum load of 12 tonnes for coastal or river operations. The rig is a loose footed gaff yawl with a lowering mast and a crew of 2.

The Stornaway 24

Designed with several functions this boat will be produced in new-generation fibreglass with two hull options, the fantail or transom, both from the same moulds.

— Ship’s boat for the schooner and new square riggers with a lugsail sloop rig and the potential to be a designated lifeboat, capacity 12. Transom stern model. Outdoor education and adventure use.

— All electric fantail launch with a solar array on a fixed canopy roof, capacity 12. Tourism or private use.

— Gaff cutter, fantail stern, tourism under sail or 4 berth cutter.

CLIPPER 64 BECOMES CLIPPER 74

February 2021

After extensive design work, the Clipper 64 has evolved and is now the Clipper 74.

Renderings of the new hull will be available on the website shortly.

THREE NEW MODELS

October 2020

The all new Clipper 160

The Clipper is a 50-metre 3-masted gaff schooner with a capacity of 16 TEUS.

Built in steel and aluminium, the new schooner follows the same principles established by the Clipper 100 and the Clipper 64. The new ship has a crew of 10 plus 12 passengers, a sail area of 814 square metres and twin electric auxiliary motors.

All major concept and design work is complete. Details soon.

The all new E-Cat 50

This vessel is a 15-metre sailing cargo catamaran or solar-electric tourist or ferry boat.

The hulls are specially developed low-drag fibreglass modules with custom aluminium decks and superstructure. The vessel has a cargo capacity of 15 pallets plus 8 passengers or 80 plus passengers as a ferry. The new cat has a solar input of 13kW and is a zero emission, zero pollution boat, designed to be entirely self-sufficient, low maintenance and able to be beached with front end loading.

Designed with inter-island Pacific trade in mind, the new cat will be available as a kit shipped out in prefabricated components for local assembly. Drawings and full specifications available soon.

The Clipper 100 MKIII

This boat has been developed and enlarged after extensive consultation. The boat is an evolution of the original with an increase of cargo capacity to 4 X standard TEUS plus 24 pallets or 100 pallets. There is increased accommodation, a lightering pontoon, increased deck space and a safer, more efficient cargo handling system. Link: Clipper 100.

For more information contact Derek Ellard derek@scruffie.com



GREEN POWER FOR BLUE SEAS


CONTACT

Contact Derek Ellard derek@scruffie.com


top