Asian "Outboard" Propulsion?? What are these?

[TerryKing]

I'm moving to Shekou/Shenzhen in China in August (just West of Hong Kong).
I'm trying to understand the very-different boats there. Take a look at the attached photo. What kind of 'propulsion units' are these?? Can anyone point to information on this type of unit? Is the "rudder" used when a boat is under sail?? Any idea what the type of engine(s) on top are??

Any pointers / info appreciated!

[tom kane]

This is probably similar,they were made in many versions.many years back.

[Frosty]

Hello Tom I havent see you round for a while.

Yep that looks like it .

I remember when you posted those picture before for a forum enquiry.

I said it then and Ille say it again thats a nifty piece of kit --notice how the belt will tighten the more the prop pushes.

You can see things out here that will blow your mind--so clever.

[Syed]

Hello TerryKing, I think you are referring to something like this;
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asi...hoto597764.htm

[TerryKing]

Thanks Guys! I was betting some of you would have a clue about these...

I am continually being impressed with the ingenuity of peoples in Asia / Pacific.

I had heard of the "Long-Tail" also, but this is the first real photo I've seen. Now that is really ingenious. Some day I'm going to build one of those and run it on a small boat in Lake Champlain, just for fun! I wonder what was done for bearings in the long shaft. Think of the "torsion bar" effect of that... no shear pin needed, probably!

Any more pointers to information on this stuff would be great; I'll try to collect it somewhere.

Have any of you seen any books that have details of these indigenous hull and propulsion designs?? I have to get my Library Lady started on these...

[tom kane]

The propulsion picture in my last post was part of an aid program to help less developed countries.Popular Mechanics march 1960 page 148.

The Bob-Tail-Boat was a similar design (lifable shaft)sponsored by the World Health Organisation from a design patent of UK origin.

Long-Tail- boats evolved through the French colonies,including Canada from a French design shown at a Paris Exhibition in 1900`s.World`s First Racing Outboard offered to the public.

[Quilbilly1]

We were in the Peruvian jungle last summer and these were everywhere. Like someone said they were powered by everything from Briggs and Stattons to car engines. You could buy a ready made assembly without the engine at the local Stihl chainsaw shop. They were pretty much hand made and used a piece of about 1 1/2" pipe for the tube. I looked at them but I didn't pay close attention to the outer bearing but I think a cuttless of some kind would work. They had a pile of simple sand cast aluminum propellors for sale too. We went on river day trip but our guide actually had a Yamaha outboard which was an unusual sight. We were comparing the costs and I think he said the fishtails without motor were about $150.00, which is a lot of money for Peru but much cheaper than an outboard. Todd