How to sail your solar boat?

Solar navigation is revolutionising the world of boating. Thanks to energy efficiency, the comfort and size of the boat increase significantly without the need for a licence. A large sailboat can be sailed without a licence, but it takes months of practice. A motorboat requires a licence, which takes 2 weeks, or you have to be satisfied with a small boat. Solar boating can be done in 1-2 hours and changes everything!

The Solar Academy aims at safety for licence-free navigation

Practising is more useful than getting a boat licence

Are you aware that more than 50% of those who take the licence do not use it within a year of their training or abandon their projects? Taking the boat licence or buying a boat requires a huge personal investment. So if you want to take the plunge, SeaZen proposes an effective strategy to limit this waste.

  1. You will benefit all the more from the boating licence course if you already have some practical experience
  2. It makes more sense to pass the licence or even buying a boat knowing that your family's ready to sail with you. So sail with your loved ones first. 
  3. It is easier to manoeuvre a big boat if you have help. But do your friends and family know what to do? Since boat schools do not train your crew, start by sailing together in a boat club.

The Boat Club allows you to practice regularly

80% of boat owners want to go out near the harbour, just for a few hours, for a brunch, a picnic, a swim or an evening out. The Boat Club is a concept invented in the United States, very popular across the Atlantic. It allows you to use the boat as an owner without having to check-in and handle the boat every time you go out.

  • The Boat Club is the flexibility of ownership without the hassle of maintaining your boat.
  • Many rental companies are closed out of season. The Boat Club formula remains open almost all year round, so you can go out when it's not busy. However, during busy periods, such as August when residents also go on holiday, the Boat Club closes for safety reasons.
  • The Boat Club is cheaper than ownership. Nothing to do with the budget of renting a ring, to which you have to add the maintenance budget of the boat (often 10% of the purchase price), the fuel budget, the time spent.

Which level best suits my needs?

Increase your experience by practicing regularly. Adapt your sailing program to your level. If you just sail once a year, don't hesitate to sail with an experienced guide or choose a smaller self drive boat. Safety at sea is the priority!

Prerequisit level Book Conditions of passage Level achieved
None Private tour (let us know to check the availability of your coatch and skipper) Learn how to steer and feel the electric boat at low speed + anchor or pass the level 1 quiz 1
1 1Hr accompanied +2 Hrs alone Practice 1 Hr accompanied to leave and return to port without zigzagging + mastering the reverse gear smoothly + anchoring + managing solar energy 2
Practice 2Hrs alone to go out and return to the port on your own without being accompanied on board and pass the level 3 quiz 3
3 Boat Club during the day Explore different weather conditions by staying within 20 minutes of the port for at least 6 consecutive trips in less than 12 monthst and pass the level 4 quiz 4
4 Boat Club in the evening Sail efficiently at night, anchor close to the port, find your way and return to the port alone without assistance and complete a total of 10 trips in the last 12 months and pass level 5 quiz 5
5 According to the ship's regulations
At this stage you can legitimately and confidently move towards the coastal licence or towards sailing courses or buy your own solar boat

 Admiral

If you already have experience or if you've "lost it" since last year, contact us for a lighter accompaniment. The idea is to save you from having to spend a practice again.

Training from home saves time

At sea, nothing beats practice. So as your rental time is limited, prepare yourself for free from home. For example, look at the general practice tutorials and memos on this page and also look at the Boat Club pages for specific navigation guides for your sailing area.

  • Mooring the anchor

    Retur to the port

  • Passenger protection Take off your shoes before boarding. 
    When sailing, do not park on the front or back beaches. Do not jump on the front platform. Do not climb up or hang yourself from the sunroof. Stay seated on the seats. Children under 7 years of age under the responsibility of the parents.
    Dock speed For dock manoeuvres, approach at 1 knot. The crew accompanies the manoeuvre by releasing gently with their hands or feet.
    Speed in the port Observe the speed limit in the harbour (approx. 5 km/h).
    GPS security For your safety do not approach the coast except in the anchorage areas. At less than 100 m, a GPS alert will trigger a systematic inspection of the floats on your return. Always stay within the navigation zone marked on the map.
    Diver safety Locate the divers' flags and then go around at least 100 m.
    Safety for fishermen Locate the fishing net buoys and then go around for at least 100 m.
    Propeller safety Deviate your course or stop the propellers in case of floating objects. The electric motor is silent. In case of abnormal noise, stop everything and check that the propellers are clear. Swimmers do not hear the propellers starting, at anchor, remove the circuit breaker.

    Solar-powered navigation instructions on an electric boat

    		 Navigate in solar autonomy. Charging the batteries constitutes a reserve of power that you must keep at more than 95% charge.
    Safety at sea In case of unexpected strong waves and for your comfort, stay seated on the back benches, reduce speed before the wave. In case of diving, let the wave run on deck and watch your personal belongings.
    Safety at anchor The draught is 50 cm at propeller level. Moor on sandy bottoms, on an area free of algae or posidonia and without rocks. Moisten the entire chain, which must rest horizontally on the bottom.