Biography
Biography: Rich Snow
Abstract
Sustainability is often promoted as a noble environmental objective but remains a goal that is unattainable for most Americans due to our dependence on a non-renewable, fossil fuel based infrastructure. The first step in achieving a sustainable lifestyle is to realize the need to downsize, which is a notion that can be difficult to embrace. However, once one realizes that less is more, the goal of sustainability is well within reach. For those who are content to stay in one place, a small house or cabin can fill the bill and can be designed for living off the grid. Others who are more adventurous can look to the sea for energy independence. Sailing vessel September Sea is a 36 foot ultralight sloop designed by sailboat racing legends Bill Lee and Bruce Farr and built by Lancer Yachts. While the engine is diesel powered, it burns just 0.5 gallons per hour and is only necessary for manuvering in marinas. The rest of the time, the sails serve as the main means of transportation. The boat is equipped with solar panels, a wind generator, a bank of four AGM batteries, an inverter to transform 12 volts into 120 volts, a water maker, a 12 volt refrigerator and a 4000 watt diesel generator to backup the systems and power the air conditioner on those rare hot nights at anchor. This poster depicts the transformation of a simple sailboat into a model of mobile sustainability.