Making an amphibian more seaworthy.

[alexlebrit]

I'm in the middle of building a Searoader



and I'm wondering about things to do to make it a little more seaworthy. Not that I'm going to be crossing the Atlantic in it or anything, but the Breton weather can be a bit iffy at times, and I'd hate to be chugging about exploring the beaches and have it sink under me.

So I'm wondering about extra floatation. I'd thought about some form of inflatable ring, a bit like an RIB, but perhaps someone else has a better idea? Also it's hardly the sharpest of bows, but then again it's got to be driveable too. And finally I'm wondering about a power-kite as an emergency/auxilliary, I've only kite-triked so far but I know how powerful they can be.

Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, hints, tips? (apart of course from "buy/build a boat").

[Guillermo]

So you mean not more seaworthy, but more safe.
Maybe your idea of an inflating ring or the like could be workable.
A kite could be a good idea, too. Dave Culp in these forums (nickname: Kiteship) may be of a lot of help to you.
Visit his site: http://www.kiteship.com/
Cheers.

[china]

maybe you could put inflatable out riggers on either side to stabilise/floatation aid it some more. you could put them a little higher than the water line so they will only be in the water when/if you need them.use a compresser run by the battery/engine to infate/deflate them. strap them away safty when driving.