While only a month has passed since our last update, the progress has been immense. We have completed a multitude of critical tasks, and Escargot is officially ready for its first week of sea trials, starting tomorrow!

A significant visual milestone is the installation of the solar panels, which provides a stunning finishing touch to the boat’s profile.

Propulsion Systems Ready to Go

We’ve completed the wiring for the propulsion system, connecting the power and control cables to the motors in both hulls and to the four battery banks in the port hull. Post-installation checks have verified that all systems are functioning correctly, and we are ready for launch!

Cooling System Rework

After completing the initial installation of the electric motor cooling system, a final review of the pump specifications revealed a critical requirement: they need a flooded suction to operate correctly. This necessitated relocating the pumps to a position below the waterline, as shown in the second picture. The plumbing, which circulates both seawater and bright green coolant through the MOTA heat exchangers, is now complete.

Hydraulic Steering System

The central hydraulic unit—comprising the fluid reservoir, pump, and valve block—is now securely installed in the former air conditioning chiller compartment. We have not yet connected the solenoid valves for the autopilot, as this is outside the scope of our initial sea trials.

Solar MPPT Controller Installation

We constructed a custom wood support for the large MPPT charge controllers and bonded it to the port-side hull using fiberglass and epoxy. A final coat of Danboline paint provides a clean and durable finish.

Additional Updates

• The solar panels are now securely bolted to the superstructure; however, the electrical connections will be completed at a later stage.
• We have secured a liability-only insurance policy from a Spanish provider, covering coastal waters. This is sufficient for our planned week of testing within Alicante Bay.
• The installation of the DC-to-DC chargers has begun with the fabrication of their fiberglass supports. Due to time constraints, we were unable to complete the wiring. For the sea trials, we will rely on the existing charge within the 24VDC and 12VDC battery banks to power the hydraulic steering and low-voltage propulsion electronics.