Smooth Sailing for University of Arkansas Solar Boat Team

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Solar Boat Team from the University of Arkansas College of Engineering cruised to a second-place finish in the Solar Splash Competition, the world championship of solar and electric boating, in Buffalo, N.Y., June 20.

Racing a boat named BOSS H2OG, the team received a total of six trophies, including first in the slalom obstacle race, second in visual presentation and second in the technical report categories. They also received the Best Overall Design award and Outstanding Solar System Design.

"We're really pleased with our second-place finish given the obstacles we had to overcome," said Jared Hornberger, project leader for the competition. "I'd like to congratulate and thank everyone who worked so hard - putting in a week or two of all-nighters after working on this project all year - to make this competition and second-place finish happen."

The Solar Splash Competition is not, however, all fun and games. "This project gives everyone involved a real sense of what a true engineering project is all about," said Bill Springer, faculty sponsor from mechanical engineering. "The team members at the race solved some pretty tricky problems in very little time. And the efforts of those team members who helped but didn't get to attend ensured that we had a competitive and complete boat. The group performed as a team in every positive way the word 'team' can be used."

Students from electrical and mechanical engineering have been working on the boat since September of last year. Team members included: Tedley Dabreo, Scott Hopkins, Eric Jones, Brice McPherson, Payam Rashidi, Stephen Taylor and John Vester.

"We came back from being in fourth and fifth place on the first days of the race," said Alan Mantooth, faculty sponsor from electrical engineering. "Our team hung in there and didn't get discouraged. I'm really proud of them and I know we're going to go all the way next year."