4 Wheel Drive Boat - looking for builder

[PlaningWheel]

The boat and theory behind it can be seen at:
http://www.coldgold.rotoquad.com
Click on 4 Wheel Drive Boat.

[kach22i]

From your site:

Full size versions will use replaceable propulsion plates made of HDPE on a foam filled fiberglass hub. And a sexy fiberglass body.

Do you have any images of that phase yet?

Looks interesting.

[anthony goodson]

Looks very interesting ,bet reverse is fun.

[Submarine Tom]

CRAZY!

Lets see it making way!

-Tom

[SamSam]

I'll build it for you.

[PAR]

The site says the "first generation" had an issue with power transfer from the flat belts, which at the very least suggests his claim of being the most efficient, is yet to be discovered.

Originally Posted by from coldgold site

. . . It has the best efficiency of any type of watercraft as well as being completely amphibious. . . It can even climb stairs!

You know, if it could do half of what it says here, there'd be a You Tube video on this thing already and some rotomolding outfit trying to buy the rights to produce it.

Seeing as it looks to have one engine and not likely a serious drive arrangement, turning might get interesting as the outer wheels lag behind the inner. I also would think it's a wet ride and resting your elbow on the rail should be discouraged.

Look Planningwheel, this is interesting fodder for discussion around a table, particularly after a few beers, but without some video of the chain drive generation 2 version or at the very least some blow by blow about your sea trials, then this isn't much more the dropping an un-baited hook into the pond.

Lets see the thing splash and scoot.

Well, I could imagine some potential, bearing in mind the snowscooter performance on open water.

We´ll see if that does better.

[PAR]

The swampers down here in Florida would also have some valuable input, but it's still a pretty hair brained idea.

[PlaningWheel]

Not sure I'm posting correctly?

My reply to SamSam:

Hello SamSam,

If you are serious about building please contact me through my web site to discuss arrangements. With some paperwork in place I would be willing to ship the model to your locale for testing.

My reply to Par:

I wish I had a little more time this year. The RotoQuad is my new startup business. I’m looking out the window at the second snowfall this season so first tests will probably be on snow. My efficiency claims are based on calculations (I have a degree in yacht design). A full size, 4 wheel version, would use the same drive arrangement as a 4 wheel drive car, with possibly no transmission or a simple variable belt drive. Compromise versions could include a tricycle arrangement using a front ski.
Reverse is possible at low speed.
The ColdGold process from my site has been licensed to a robotics company for a 50/50 split if successful. The point being I can only do so much on my own.

[kach22i]

Does this thing at least partially work on the same principals?

EDIT: Meant the Swamp Buggy thing in video.

[PlaningWheel]

Sorry Kach22i,

Same principal as what?
I call the principal Rotating Planing Surfaces.
I really think it's a new way of moving across water. I have filed a patent application and a search was done before hand (nothing like it came up).

[PlaningWheel]

Hi Kach22i,

The link to the video came through on my own email? I don't know how well a swamp buggy would do on deep water or any water at all? they mostly plow along the bottom with flat planing surfaces next to the front tires (the thin front tires act as rudders once the things going). In any case a good planing surface needs to be flat and wide. The wider the better to minimize end loss, same as a wing.
I note though that given enough HP you can make almost anything go through the water (snowmobiles) as long as there's some lifting force.

[PAR]

No, swamp buggies actually are on the the water, not walking through the slit bottoms. If the throttle back you can quickly see what happens to one, they sink. I've personally used quad runner type of ATV's to cross substantial portions of water deeper then the ATV was tall.

[PlaningWheel]

Hello SamSam,

In response to your email.

I'm looking for a professional yard.
Incorporated with a website etc.
If you are such a yard or know of one I'm offering the following:

1) 4' long scaled model ready for water testing.
2) Patent application.
3) A buyer that will place a somewhat tuned down version (the wheels also
supply the required buoyancy) to high end resorts for rent to their guests.
4) A 50/50 split.

[Submarine Tom]

We really need to see it making way.

-Tom