creative non conventional powered boat ideas

Discussion in 'DIY Marinizing' started by sobo, Feb 26, 2011.

  1. sobo
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 27
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: malaysia

    sobo Junior Member

    hi everyone

    have you ever heard of rubber band powered boat,balloon powered boat, candle powered boat and so on? it is creative and fun toys for children to be played.
    if you haven't see it, you can take a look in youtube.

    my purpose of posting this new thread is for us to share our ideas on how can we create a non conventional powered boat to generate creative and innovative mind.:)
     
  2. Petros
    Joined: Oct 2007
    Posts: 2,934
    Likes: 148, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1593
    Location: Arlington, WA-USA

    Petros Senior Member

    In India they have these interesting lightweight plastic cars that are powered by compressed air. You have to "recharge" the air tank every night with an air compressor. Good for large polluted city.

    it is like the variation of the balloon powered toy, but larger. Could power a boat that way too.

    There are very few energy souses that are as compact and as energy dense as a tank of diesel fuel. It is even more cost effective to operate than a sail boat for the purposes of moving freight.

    How about a "fitness" cruise line where passengers take turns on a bank of pedal bikes that drives the boat. The passengers actually pay you to power your cruise boat, and they loose weight and get in shape on the way.
     
  3. Windmaster
    Joined: Nov 2006
    Posts: 296
    Likes: 25, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 56
    Location: Norwich UK

    Windmaster Senior Member

    Here's one: http://www.sailwings.net/windspinner.html
     

  4. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    I've always felt, somehow, someway giant flippers or

    just oars could be adapted for use with circular motors.

    After testing pedal powered prop driven kayaks, the Hobie system, and just regular kayak paddles, I'm convinced a prop losses a lot just churning the water.

    In contrast a paddle was almost like a mechanical connection, or like 'poling' by spiking a pole on a shallow bottom.

    I'm thinking large flippers(like on the Penguin's submarine in original Batman movie) could move larger 'chunks' of water for propulsion without all the energy wasting churn and turbulence.
     
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.