Jet drive Canoe

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Robert solo, Oct 8, 2019.

  1. Robert solo
    Joined: Oct 2019
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    I have been thinking of how to move empty shipping containers to small islands . I have read that they occasionally fall off ships and float around for some time, and I suppose an inflatable liner (balloon) could be inflated inside them to assure that they stay afloat. Then a much tougher made inflatable Bow and stern could be affixed to the .... bow and stern, So far so good. But what to tow it with ? well here is the problem, I am in love , yes I admitted it, I am in love with Albert Strange's canoe yawls, I built one boat and drawn and daydreamed about a hundred others, I know I could build a modern "Charmina" what a beautiful boat it would be, built with cherry veneers and Epoxy! But a tug boat it is not, and putting a big smelly diesel in it and a large slow turning prop in the back would be vandalism inside and out!
    But a small jet drive with a 6" or larger ? jet, sitting on the Keel, intake split to both sides of the keel, and the jet split by the 1/4" steel plate rudder and running on odorless Alcohol that I brew up my self, that would not be so bad! I could hide the small two stroke under some varnished wood and give it an effective muffler. Anyone have any thoughts on this idea?
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    While an interesting idea, it seems like a huge amount of time and money spent on something with a zero percent chance of being successful from the git go.

    This means finding containers, towing them, and recovering any contents.

    Then building a boat to tow them that is a poor design from style to propulsion and fuel.
     
  3. Robert solo
    Joined: Oct 2019
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    You misunderstood what I wrote , I just need to move the containers , the customers will provide them . Think of it as being a tow truck operator but with only a customer every couple months , so I don't want to drive my tow truck as my daily driver nor do I want a boat specifically for this once in a while job.
    Zero percent chance of being successful ? I think it is rather higher than that.
     
  4. ondarvr
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    That scenario is a bit different than what I first pictured.
     
  5. Robert solo
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    The containers will be used as secure ( against vandals ) tiny houses on small islands "Dachas".
     
  6. Robert solo
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    I am pretty share I could pull one with a jet ski , so I don't see why this would not work.
     
  7. kapnD
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: hawaii, usa

    kapnD Senior Member

    How far do you need to tow them, and through what conditions?
    How about cutting an existing boat of about 8’ beam in the middle, bulkhead off both pieces, and fasten them to the container fore and aft? When the delivery is completed, bolt the halves back together for the return trip.
    Why do you want to use a jet?
     
  8. Robert solo
    Joined: Oct 2019
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    About 215 nautical miles is the longest distance that I can see of possible destinations . I like the cut a boat in half idea "My kind of crazy" but , a inflatable bow and stern would roll up into a bundle that could be lashed to the fore deck it just depends on how big that bundle turns out to be . I really like the boat and I think a proper prop for doing this kind of job would add a lot of drag and just offend my sensibilities. A salvaged jet boat motor and jet would be very concealable just a intake and outlet in the hull and a "varnished bump" on the inside . and the fuel would also serve for an alcohol stove . As to "what conditions" I could pick my days , not go if I am worried about the weather , but cutting it loose would always be a possibility , I will put some kind of "homing beacon" , a big flag , and radar reflector on the container so I could look for it after a storm. .
     
  9. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I guess the seal is the main thing, if you are going to swim it there.
     
  10. Robert solo
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    Containers are not well enough sealed to be relied upon to stay afloat , They do sometimes , but mostly not . I plan to inflate a big container shaped bag inside one , to keep it afloat , plus the bow and stern , three floats in all .
     
  11. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Why not a small barge with a swim-in and out, they aren't that heavy.
     
  12. Robert solo
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    Are you suggesting putting the container on/in a barge and then pulling that ?
     
  13. Robert solo
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    I was hoping to come up with some kind of idea of what kind of salvaged jet drive I might want to be looking out for, For example => 9 1/2" impeller , 150 hp - 225 Hp , Etc. then I could start to see how it might fit , and silencing options , I could start drawing .
     
  14. Mr Efficiency
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    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Seems the most likely course, would not need to be big, with an empty container aboard.
     

  15. Robert solo
    Joined: Oct 2019
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    Location: Teculutan Guatemala

    Robert solo Junior Member

    What exactly do you mean "most likely" ? having a barge would add a lot of cost and it would cost weather I used it or not , while building a boat would primarily be for my own use , so I would not count that cost in the same way. I cannot see a barge being more sea worthy than what I have proposed , lower towing resistance , yes , but that would not offset the extra expense . This sounds like the argument for and against the small "donut" spare tires in cars. you are saying "a full size spare is better" I am saying but a light weight , compact donut will get the job done and not eat up so much trunk space .
     
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