4th Vanderkloof Dam Solar Powered Boat Adventure.

 

4th Vanderkloof Dam Adventure planned for in May of 2024.

"Embarking on our fourth expedition to the breathtaking Vanderkloof Dam, we're excited to explore this vast and beautiful area with our trusty solar-powered boat. With three previous trips under our belt, we've learned the importance of taking our time to fully appreciate the dam's many wonders. This time, we're giving ourselves two full weeks to navigate the waters, gorges, ravines, and incoming rivers, weather permitting.

Our solar-powered boat has undergone significant upgrades to ensure our safety and comfort. The improved cabin features large sliding windows, a traditional yacht access door, a kitchen, living room, and two comfortable beds. The rear deck offers ample space to relax and take in the stunning views, with canvas coverings and windows that can be closed at night or in adverse weather conditions.

But safety is our top priority. Our boat exceeds marine regulations with 50% buoyancy, ensuring it cannot sink in case of capsize or leaks. We've also installed two large pontoons for roll stability, which provide extra buoyancy and minimize drag. With our solar panels generating electricity to fuel our journey, we can explore the dam's many hidden coves and inlets without worrying about our carbon footprint.

Surrounded by game reserves, the area is teeming with wildlife, including Fish Eagles and other large eagles that use the cliffs for nesting sites. Our goal this year is to reach the bridge crossing the Orange River between Colesburg and Philippolus, a feat we're confident our capable and comfortable boat can achieve. With our solar power and safety features, we're ready for an unforgettable adventure on the majestic waters of Vanderkloof Dam. With the three previous trips on Vanderkloof Dam time restrictions kept us from exploring all of the waters, gorges, ravines and incoming rivers properly. This time we are giving ourselves 2 full weeks, and weather permitting, we want to cover most all there is to see. It is such a vast and beautiful unexplored area, uniquely situated in betweem majestic mountains with seven rivers and ravines flowing into it, some with waterfalls accessible from within the basins. Several of the incoming rivers can be navigated into the country for up to 9km's out. On our previous trip we sailed out on the incoming Orange river for 15km's and all indications are that it is  possible to still go on much further safely. The R717 road has a bridge crossing the Orange River  between Colesburg and Phillippolus. To reach this bridge is our goal this year. Surrounded by game reserves the area teams with wildlife. Fish Eagles are frequently seen and other large eagles use the cliffs for nesting sites. 

A 1.5kw solar array provides the energy for cruising, battery charging and lighting. A 24V brushless motor is used for propulsion and speeds of up to 10km/h is achieved for most of the daylight hours per day. The tiltable solar array proved to work excellent in capturing the suns energy early mornings, during the day and late afternoons.

Roomier cabin where occupants can stand and move about upright.

Rear deck with enclosure. 

Large pontoons installed for roll stability and added buoyancy. These pontoons are easily removable and are carried inside the boat whilst towing on the road.

Depending on the slope incline sometimes the boat can be parked onto dry ground. This was our boat's previous solar set-up and with the fibreglass pontoons installed.

"The area between the current waterline and the 120% full waterline is our designated zone for use. This expansive stretch, often spanning 50 meters or more, depending on the shore's incline, offers a unique terrain for camping and outdoor activities. Characterized by the absence of vegetation, the ground conditions vary from soft sand to fine gravel and, in some cases, rocky surfaces or a combination of these. This area is ideal for setting up camp and safely building fires for cooking and warmth, with an abundance of dry driftwood always present.

When choosing a gradual shallow slope to go ashore the boat cannot always reach the coastline fully, but the shallow waters can easily be walked through. This is how our boat's current set-up looks like.

The planned route wil take us into remote basins, bays, gorges, ravines and rivers. With more time on hand we will be able to cruise slowly and safely in shallow waters to reach special remote places never previously explored. This is exciting and a newly acquired navigation application will be used to record each leg of the route exacty.

Scanning the coastline from Google Earth imagery revealed some interesting objects and ruines to be explored!  Here are some pictures, although images are not of high quality, ruines and some objects are clearly defined as man-made.