NEVER take an expert's word as gospel -- that's what a team of Australian schoolboys would tell you. Despite experts warning them their project wouldn't work, the schoolboys have successfully built a solar-powered catamaran that is "50 per cent more efficient than any comparable vessel".

Students from Prince Alfred College in Adelaide developed a twin-engine boat that can not only be driven for several hours at speeds upto 10 kmph, but can also churn out enough power to charge its batteries.

The solar catamaran boasts of a novel design and is made of Divinycell -- a light, tough material. Specially designed electronic "black boxes" maximise the power output and increase the efficiency of the catamaran's electric engine.