best propolution method, normal Prop, Jet style or paddle wheel?

[Kalagan]

Hi,

I have not seen one of those dual-Track boats before, that is an interesting idea. That has opened up a whole new set of ideas for me, maybe realistic, maybe not, but still interesting.

Like a Track based Jet Ski (or Track Ski) or a smaller track integrated into a Foil Wing, this way you could have your propolution able to be raised and lowered with the foil. For instance, in normal operation the foil/track would be close to the boat and then pivoted down when you want to go into foil mode. That has always been a design issue for Foil boats, how to propel it when the foils are being used. A tunnel Hull Power or Sailboat Cat, with one track per Ama contained in the tunnel. This could give you pretty good power, instant reaction and the ability to Beach it without worrying about the Prop. What about a Mono-Hull Sailboat with two keels and a track in between them, again it would be very well protected, reactive and would probably create a lot of drag (ok maybe that one wouldn't work that great).

Maybe not all of them would work well, but fun to speculate about.

Thanks for the track info.
Kalagan

[Kalagan]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your insights and encouragement. I am not sure where it will take me, but I always enjoy spending time figuring out how stuff works, so I can try to figure a different way of doing it.

When it comes to boats and propolution, they have been building them basically the same way for thousands of years (at least for boats), it just seems like there might be a different/better way to design them and the challenge is fun. I like the tunnel hull concept a lot for mono-hulls, Cats and Tri's, even if it is not used for propolution, it could be used as an air chamber to minimize drag and still maintain buoyancy, like what is being used on big cargo ships and barges.

The Brain is always going, whether I like it or not (sometimes at 3AM when I would rather be sleeping).

Anyway, thanks for your help.
Kalagan

[Tigawave]

what about a shaft in a tube? so there is no rotating shaft in the water these have shown efficeincies of 30% greater than traditional shafts and stern drives in recentr tests. The Marex 370 was compared to a number of other similar boats with different drive options.

[Kalagan]

Hi Tigawave,

I am not sure exactly what you are describing, could you send a link to an image?

Thanks
Kalagan

[Tigawave]

http://www.cruisingresources.com/ima.../seatorque.jpg

You can search for Seatorque, there is one other make of something similar, also made in the States I believe.

We've only seen them on a few boats over here in the EU, Fleming use them, and we now have a commercial pilot boat with them for the Port of London which I've workled on.

[Boston]

so what is the actual max efficiency of a jet system vs a prop system