Starting New Boat Project......

[node4]

I am starting a new boat project based off of this design. I plan on adding and changing several configurations of this concept to better suit my needs. http://www.wam-v.com/wamv.htm

I simply love the concept, and the feasibility of the design, and what you can add or modify to the boat once it is done. My first question, is there a standard in the gauge of steel to be used for hulls, and support beam construction? Is there a safe light weight cage that I should use?

Thanks
Jay

[lazeyjack]

looks like carbon fibre
Short answer is no, you could not build that span girdar bridge arrangement in light gauge steel

[node4]

So I will have to use a heavy gage steel? What am I looking at in thickness?
Thanks
Jay

[PAR]

Not for nothing Node4, but this craft is way past the backyard builder's abilities, even one with considerable building expertise.

Contact the design team and inquire about plans, which I doubt will be available to the private sector, particularly a one off by a novice builder, but you never know, you could get lucky.

I sure wouldn't want to be caught out in rough conditions in that contraption. What happens when the articulation bottoms out and the hulls have to absorb impact against it's stops. Breakage sounds to be a reasonable likelihood. If you have a few million lying around with nothing better to do, then go for it.

[lazeyjack]

Originally Posted by node4

So I will have to use a heavy gage steel? What am I looking at in thickness?
Thanks
Jay

you cant, a high tensile 4mm would work, but the weight would sink the project, that is one big girdar
may I suggest, you read the Lincoln book of welding, it is a thick tomb, available at a library
then pick,as Par suggests, a simple boat, or one less amitious
the aim I think, is to build something that people want, that way when you sell you may not lose much

[Landlubber]

I just love these guys, they see a design, fall in love with it, then immediately waht to start changing everything.....including the method of construction.

Here goes a few of my points, but.......wake up to yourself and stop dreaming mate. This is a very serious engineered vessel, either like it for what it is or go design your own ideas and have them engineered correctly to suit your applications.

You are trying to make a Porsch carry a reasonable load.....if you want performance buy a Porsch, if you want a truck, go buy a truck.

[kengrome]

Hi Jay,

I think you could build a boat like this on a small scale using wood and fiberglass laminates to make something like 'leaf springs' that would support the suspended center hull. It would take some trial and error but I don't see any major stumbling blocks myself.

Obviously the guys who designed and built that huge high-tech boat put a lot of time and money into it, but that doesn't means it is not possible for an amateur to build something similar on a smaller scale. The question I have for you is:

What scale are you talking about?

[lazeyjack]

Kengrome? you dont see any major stumbling blocks? the man just sais he has no exp in steel, and guessing, nothing much else and here you are saying there are no probs? Come on, some of you guys, have your head in the clouds, just today a new architect sent me this creation with a flared bow like a Jap tuna clipper, 11m long, wanted to do it is alloy, get real please

[node4]

I never said that I could not weld. Also I am very surprised at the utter lack of encouragement overall.......You would think that you would get more support from fellow builders, and dreamers.
I am not trying to change the construction method.
I do not see the road blocks that you guys are seeing.

There is only one person that has been encouraging....thank you.

Please don't respond with your expertise and how many boats you have built, and how you are trying to save me time and trouble, or how it is for my own good, or if I want to waist my time and money......... I sure that the guy that built the boat in the first place had to listen to that as well.....after which, he was laughing all the way across the ocean during sea trials....

[Landlubber]

Please don't respond with your expertise and how many boats you have built, and how you are trying to save me time and trouble, or how it is for my own good, or if I want to waist my time and money........

wtf did you ask us for our opinions then?

[node4]

I am leaving the site, I will consult with local expertise from now on. I will be sure to share my wonderful experience on this site.

It is sad that this site is apparently been setup to make a few men feel important at that the expense of other people.

I have been breaking molds all of my life.
Jay

[kengrome]

Kengrome? you dont see any major stumbling blocks?

Absolutely not ... if he builds a smaller one like I described, with the supporting structures in wood and glass composite, and maybe the hulls in different material as well. That's why I asked him what scale he was thinking about.

the man just sais he has no exp in steel, and guessing, nothing much else and here you are saying there are no probs?

Please go back and read my post, then maybe you will see that I qualified my response very clearly -- and it had nothing to do with building in steel or even building the same size boat.

Come on, some of you guys, have your head in the clouds, get real please

If you're willing to discuss the design and construction of a boat like this, only on a much smaller scale and using different materials, I'm willing to explain my concepts ... but not if you're going to insult me like you did node4.

I don't understand the reasons why you and others have chosen to alienate the guy in the first place. It seems like some of you have become awfully quick to pass judgement on someone new, without giving him half a chance. What do you really know about him anyways? Very little from what I can tell, yet you've decided to insult him instead of discussing the concept with him in a respectable manner.



I don't know much about steel construction, and if this is the material he chooses to use then I would bow out of the discussion. But he never said he was committed to building in steel, all he did was ask about it.

And he never said he wanted a boat the same size either. In fact he said he wants to modify the design to better suit his needs, and this could very well mean building a much smaller vessel, right???

But for some reason none of you bothered to ASK him about his concepts, goals, needs, or anything else ...