Building of Glasshopper Tourist Boat

Launch of the Glasshopper

2008-08-11T18:00:00.041+02:00

Maiden Voyage of the Glasshopper.

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August 8th 2008 the Glasshopper is ready to launch. Next weeks the interior will be finished as well as lots of details.

Glasshopper will be christened with a big event in October.

The bow shape is quite unique containing only planar surfaces.

In January 2004 I had the initial concept idea and here it is.

The shape of the exterior is consistently planar above and beneath the waterline, meaning that all surfaces are flat instead of curved.

I like the long V-shaped bow surface a lot as it creates a long straight edge at the side of the hull and results in nice waterlines.

A lot of spectators came to watch.

Are we ready?

The draught is perfect and meets the estimated displacement which is very important to be able to pass the low bridges 'en route'.

Typical Dutch view.

Steering position.

Starting up the technical systems.

Touch screen computer controlled technical installations.

Overview of the main electrical systems.

Optimal visibility for the skipper.

Glasshopper sails for the very first time electrically propelled.

The big picture.

Just a detail.

A crystal reflecting the environment.

Satisfied and happy people after the succesful first trip.

Glasshopper at its berth. .

Lying at restaurant 'de Krom'.

Time to finish the interior.

To be ready to welcome guests from all over the world.

Movie: "Working at the Glasshopper"

2008-08-10T13:45:00.001+02:00

Seven months of working at the Glasshopper.

Finishing Glasshopper Construction

2008-08-09T11:00:00.001+02:00

Finally the exterior of the Glasshopper is finished.

The crystal cockpit looks very transparent .

Looking at the connection of the cockpit to the forward column.

Looking forward showing large glass area.

Looking aft in the passengers area.

The bar is nearly finished.

Flatscreens ready to pop up to present information to the passengers.

One of the large ballast pumps with a capacity of 30,000 liters per minute.

Part of the double bottom ballast tank with a cross pump.

Some other nice installations.

The entrance door in the aft ship closes watertight due to the low draught when passing bridges.

One of the electric powered podded propellers.

The aft ship propulsion arrangement with the two ballast intakes at the centre.

As it is launch day today this is the last chance to weld the anodes to prevent hull corrosion.

Glasshopper Superstructure

2008-06-11T17:07:00.000+02:00

'Pièce de résistance' will be the glass superstructure with a crystal shaped cockpit and columns carrying glass panes. All together a very transparent superstructure offer a great view to the environment.

Stainless steel rods form the basic structure of the crystal shaped cockpit.

Rods meet in a hub.

Looking at the top of the superstructure with the centre beam.

Columns prepared to carry glass panes.

A view of the interior space with enough headroom for tall people. See also the battery storage in front.

Not less than seven heavy duty battery chargers are installed.

Together with a battery management system, they have to keep the batteries in fit condition as the batteries have to supply energy for all vital systems onboard including the propulsion and airconditioning.

Switchboard to manage electrical energy distribution.

Part of the airconditioning which leads fresh air to the ceiling.

Sliding door installation in aft ship

Some of the wiring for the podded electric motors.

Glasshopper Installations

2008-05-21T13:51:00.000+02:00

As the Glasshopper offers several unique features, the technical installations are very important.

In order to lift the whole boat 80 cm. a ballast system is installed. This requires a custom solution based on large pumps, sliding gate valves and an automated water level measurement- and computer control system.

Aft ship with large ballast water inlet, a pod mounting flange on top and an intercooler for the airconditioners.

Water inlet valve.

Future ballast pumps position with flexible mounting.

Ballast water flow control with sliding gate valves for dynamic leveling.

De-aerating the ballast tanks with large, sound insulated, ducts.

The electrical propulsion system contains more than 10,000 kg battery weight, 2 podded propellers, a bowthruster, spud poles for berthing, electrical converters, battery chargers, a battery management system, a biodiesel genset.............

Foreship with knuckle and bowthruster inlet.

Bow thruster propeller.

Bow thruster installation inside.

Telescopic bow spud pole to berth the boat at shallow waters.

Some of the traction batteries which will be monitored individually when they're in use.

Electrician Andre needs his concentration.

In order to know which cable he has to connect.

The generator set barely fits in place.

Stainless steel biodiesel fuel tank.

Very nice detail of remote controlled valve.

Working at the aft spud pole.

In detail.

What's next?

Let's take a look at the climate control system with windows sliding down for fresh air and close contact with the environment. Furthermore an airconditioning will be installed. The white flexible ducts are part of the conditioned air distribution.

Narrow slots for the future windows.

Telescopic hydraulic cilinder to provide window movement.

To manage everything flexible, the electrical system is based on a CAN-bus system and a lot of computer control.

Much cosmetic work has to be done also.

Preparing the last phase of construction

2008-02-02T18:25:00.000+01:00

At the Bleskensgraaf location Leeuwestein is finishing the construction of the Glasshopper. This company is specialised in custom made electrical installations for inland cargo vessels. Furthermore this company, led by Han Leeuwestein, specialised in electrical propulsion and ballast sytems.
Mr. Han Leeuwestein participated in this project together with Mr. Arie de Heer, ownner of 'café-restaurant De Krom' and investor Mr. Ebe Nouwen of 'Nouwen Participaties Nederland BV' and 'Nouwen Maritiem'.
Together they founded a new shipping company called 'Glasshopper Kinderdijk Charter BV' which will be the operator of the tourist boat.

The Bleskensgraaf location offers large space and much facilities.

Mr. Han Leeuwestein discusses with 'old friends' who assist him for fun.

The bow facets, will they look like a crystal when the boat's finished?

Another view of the wide bow.

Details of the bow section structure.

Class 'A' welding creates flat surfaces which result in less fairing.

Sharp edges.

Bow with spud pole hole in front and bow thruster tunnel transverse.
Two spud poles berth the ship by lowering poles in the mud.

Transportation of the hull

2008-02-02T15:19:00.000+01:00

The Glasshopper is build at several locations. The hull is build by MLV alubouw at their old workshop in 's Graveland and finished at their new Nieuwersluis shipyard.
Then the Glasshopper is transported to a location in Bleskensgraaf next to the canal where Glasshopper will sail. At this location the hull is finished with a superstructure, interior and complex technical installations. One of these installations is a ballast system with pumps and valves to sink in 80 cm. in order to pass low bridges.

This post shows the transportation of the hull in early January 2008.

Will he be able to lift the hull?

Finished hull of the Glasshopper.

Aft ship.

Ready to roll!

The brand new MLV Alubouw location.

Sorry for the lamp post.

Although the Glasshopper offers large interior floor space and large displacement, the exterior isn't box shape at all.

Extreme maneuvring.

Proud MLV alubouw representatives Martin van der Laan de Vries and Rene Sandbergen.

In the water for the very first time.

Passing the railway bridge.

Topview.

The facets of the bow.

Interior with large battery storage for electrical propulsion.

Strapped to the tug boat with a good view at the stern.

Waiting for departure.

Full steam ahead on the 'Amsterdam-Rijn Kanaal' heading for Bleskensgraaf.

Building the hull of the Glasshopper

2008-02-02T13:28:00.000+01:00

MLV Alubouw started hull construction in August 2007 in their 'old' workshop.
The hull is build from aluminum.

Like a giant puzzle, all pieces fit together.

Concentration.

As MLV is anxiously 'waiting' to move to their big new location, they build the hull in pieces in their small premises.

Master welder Rene Sandbergen.

Quality is in the details.

Repeate, repeate, repeate................

Bow section.

Glasshopper design is based on flat planar surfaces. This makes construction quite easy and even allows simple folding of sheets of aluminum.

Stern.

Tac-welds join sheets of aluminum.

Forepeak.