I can't quite see if it would hurt the overall structure, but if that top step in the bow were stretched all the way across instead of being in a...
True. The sign of brilliance is coming up with something independently far ahead of everyone else. I think his downhill slide started when he...
I see your point about hull reinforcement. Though it wouldn't be hard to make the outriggers removable.
If you were only using it for propulsion, it's less than ideal. As the power generator for all the boat's systems including propulsion, you have a...
That argument gets tossed around a lot about a great many things, and sometimes it's true, but it's such a huge oversimplification that it isn't...
Could you just use the plans for a small canoe and roof it over? What about sticking removable outriggers on it? An aluminum tube with a teardrop...
I just got off a research binge on Hickman and his designs. Heck of a story, and very impressive that the Sea Sled is still considered a darn good...
Vertical turbines can be made to operate in low wind conditions. It's a matter of designing for it. I used four so that they could be out of the...
I think the sprocket pockets can be made deep enough to prevent slippage as long as there is a channel between pockets to accommodate the cable....
Redid the design for the ball cable. This way you can pull it the cable tight through the zigzag channel when assembling it, and get the spacing...
Duuuude! I didn't even know you posted here. Great to see you man. Anyhow, the bottoms of the turbines are supposed to be above head height, and...
What about a configuration like this? [IMG] Four turbines, each directly driving a little generator and battery pack. Sticking all that in the...
True, there are many types. I've snagged an engineering paper on plastics that covers the basics. A belt drive would be my second choice after a...
There are some kinds of plastic that could handle it like ABS or polycarbonate. There's nothing wrong with metal, but we really want something...
Oh, I was thinking a kevlar cable or some other type of strong cord that won't stretch out of shape.
For the most part, I look at things and ask if it could be done just as well with fewer parts. I love mechanical things and I like problem solving...
Having some trouble finding it. I'm basically brainstorming ideas rather than planning a specific build though. Ah, I suspected as much. Is...
Huh, neat. I thought it was trying to do the tank-treads-as-long-paddle-wheels thing. I wonder how well it would work to have a skinny belt with a...
Don't sweat it. The ones who make progress are the ones who don't let things stop them from trying the next idea. Yep, that's the critical flaw I...
Took a couple days to read through it. I could see a horizontal Voith drive being good for use as a combination lift/thrust unit for a powered...