CAMDEN — David Borton will lead an online presentation titled “Solar-Powered Boats for Maine and the World” in a webinar hosted by Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, March 14, at 12 p.m.
Borton grew up in small boats: solar-powered, people-powered boats, canoeing Maine’s fresh waters and sailing its coast. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later taught solar energy engineering there. Years of applying physics to solar-electric powered boats has produced a series of firsts:
-First 100% Solar US Coast Guard Inspected Passenger Vessel, 44-foot Solaris
-First 100% Solar Journey through the Inside Passage from Washington to Alaska, 27-foot Wayward Sun
-First 100% Solar cargo delivery on the Erie Canal, 40-foot Solar Sal
-First 100% Solar NorthEast Grain Race 2022 Winner, 24-foot Solar Sal
Borton will discuss the development of these boats before concluding with the current boats being built by Belmont Boat Works. Fuel free, quiet, non-polluting electric boats without range anxiety are a wonderful way to enjoy our watery planet.
This program is part of the Winter Online Talk series at Merryspring, sponsored by Renys – A Maine Adventure, and co-sponsored by Allen Insurance & Financial and Camden Riverhouse Hotel.
Access to a computer or smart device is required to attend. Please email info@merryspring.org to register for this program. Zoom links are sent on the mornings of the talks. Talks are not recorded.
Attendance is free for all.
Merryspring is your community nature center offering walking trails, cultivated gardens, wildlife, and ecology and horticulture educational programs all year round. The park is located at the end of Conway Road, just off of Route 1 in Camden behind Hannaford Shopping Plaza. For more information on this program, please contact info@merryspring.org or call 207-236-2239.
