 |
|---|
| 0 |
 |
After 6 seasons in Wisconsin, the 2000 Splash was held at the University of New Orleans. Using Mardi Gras colors, the boat signs reflect the support given by the University and the Solar Energy and Petroleum Divisions of ASME. |
| 1 |
 |
After completing Registration, each skipper is ballasted to 70 kg (154 lb) using small rocks in a sealed canvas bag. An identifying band is secured to the bag, the skipper's wrist, and her/his life jacket. |
| 2 |
 |
Before anyone is allowed on the water, each skipper must pass a mandatory swim test. All of the skippers assembled at the Aquatic Center and swam 50 meters at their own pace, but we did time them just for fun and to recognize some of the better performances.
|
| 3 |
 |
Technical inspections verify compliance with all rules. Many are written to provide maximum safety. The battery compartment must be separate from the skipper, and here we can see a white flexible hose that carries any vapors aft of the skipper once the bow is covered.
|
| 4 |
 |
At the mixer Wednesday evening, team names are drawn from a hat for placement of the teams in the two heats of the Endurance Event. In that Event, all teams move into the Consolation or Championship rounds. |
| 5 |
 |
Each morning begins with an 8 a.m. Skippers meeting which is mandatory but also heavily attended by many team members. Plans for the day are reviewed and, often, awards from the previous day are presented. |
| 6 |
 |
A large tent is provided to form the Paddock area and each team has an assigned space of 300 sq. ft. The area outside is often used to collect solar energy and recharge batteries. Some schools display their names and colors on banners. |
| 7 |
 |
Many of the experienced teams bring chairs. Each team is provided a power drop to charge radio batteries or operate power tools. South Carolina really needed theirs as they lost one rudder and broke another, but with a third, borrowed from Coast Guard, they won the World Championship.
|
| 8 |
 |
The LSU canoe underwent many changes over the course of the 5 days. With no deck, they found themselves vulnerable to waves and wakes so they added a temporary Styrofoam deck, got re-inspected, and went on to take 7th place in the Sprint.
|
| 9 |
 |
Numerous awards are presented for engineering accomplishments. Each team is interviewed to determine how they arrived at certain decisions that formed the design of the boat. Hull, power train, solar array, electrical system, and overall system engineering are reviewed.
|
| 10 |
 |
While the University of Arkansas discusses how to get more weight in the bow, there was no doubt that they were the winner of the "Hottest Looking Boat " award. Outside the tent is the South Carolina trailer, beautifully painted and making its first appearance at the Splash.
|
| 11 |
 |
All boats operate on solar energy either received in real time or stored in their batteries. The teams are very diligent in taking advantage of all charging opportunities. Even a high thin overcast slows the process only slightly.
|
| 12 |
 |
One of the events is a visual display of the project. It is important to show what cannot be seen by looking at the boat. This display by the College of New Jersey features components that were designed and tested but subsequently rejected.
|
| 13 |
 |
Unlike past years where man-made ramps were needed to launch the boats, Pontchartrain Beach provided excellent launching and plenty of warm water for wading. Teams were required to have relatively wide tires on their trailers and dollies to negotiate the soft sand.
|
|
|
|---|
