Email

Wilson, a trimaran (multi-hulled boat) built by students at San Clemente High school and dually named after the volleyball in the movie “Cast Away” and their instructor, Malcolm Wilson, was launched from Capistrano Beach this April and is on its way to Hawaii.

Students in the school’s Regional Occupational Program class assembled the boat in about 20 total hours, at the cost of $100, to give them valuable hands-on engineering, construction, and project management experience.  It is expected to travel from 50 to 100 miles per day depending on weather conditions.

Wilson (the instructor, not the boat) hopes to use solar powered GPS tracking technology for next year’s trimaran to allow the students to better track the craft.  Currently, they are using a log book housed within the vessel, which those who come across it are asked to fill out to keep track of its travels.  He also hopes to include a way to track weather conditions and take pictures to be sent back to the class.

Article Written by Khristen Foss