water caterpillar drive?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by jyoder111, Jan 18, 2011.

  1. jyoder111
    Joined: Jan 2011
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    jyoder111 Junior Member

    I've been trying to find information on modern examples of boats with a water caterpillar drive. Is there a better term/name to use?

    I'm working on an HPB project with a focus on power instead of speed/rpms and am considering using a caterpillar/track drive instead of a paddlewheel. This will allow me to reduce the diameter of the wheel(s), I hope.

    Anyone know of examples? I'm sure it's been done somewhere...
     
  2. cthippo
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    cthippo Senior Member

    Welcome aboard, jyoder!

    I'm not sure about technical details, but many tracked infantry fighting vehicles use their tracks for propulsion through the water. The Italians also built some torpedo boats during WW2 which had tracked propulsion, but the intent there was to allow them to climb over torpedo nets. I'll see if I can come up with some references for the latter. I know I have info on them in a book, but it will take me a while to find it.
     
  3. Village_Idiot
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    Village_Idiot Senior Member

    Swamp buggies have used them for years, for amphibious work, but maybe that is not what you are looking for? Apparently, they do not work well in sandy environments, and can be top-heavy.
     
  4. CDK
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    CDK retired engineer

    In an old episode of the British TV program "Top Gear" they covered 800 yards over a lake at high speed with a snowmobile and a 4-wheel drive with special tires!
     
  5. kach22i
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    kach22i Architect

  6. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    jyoder111,

    Is this a Human Powered Submarine?

    -Tom
     
  7. jehardiman
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    jehardiman Senior Member

    1 person likes this.
  8. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    John, John, John... I wasn't asking you.

    Don't go shooting off your mouth before we even know if this is what he/she is doing.

    Jeeeze.

    -Tom
     
  9. Boat Design Net Moderator
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    Boat Design Net Moderator Moderator

    I don't see the issue - I'm sure the Original Poster will appreciate any and all links/references.
     
  10. cthippo
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    cthippo Senior Member

    How about one of those screw drive designs?
     
  11. jyoder111
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    jyoder111 Junior Member

    No, it's not a submarine. More of a tug to pull a canoe full of people or some tubes or floats.
     
  12. claydog
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    claydog Junior Member

    Like this?:D

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AApGZECbHwU

    Sleds actually get better "traction" on water than snow and will stay up as long as you don't run out of gas, foul a plug, or get the drive belt wet. There was a YT video that made the rounds of snowmobile sites a few years ago were someone mounted a sled chassie in a small aluminum boat, fast as hell but not much steering when the rudders were out of the water.
     
  13. claydog
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    claydog Junior Member

    Not sure how a HPB would work with a track, but here's a link for snowmobile tracks. Mountain tracks are going to have the tallest lugs and have the longest OAL. A sled track will bend around a 7" dia wheel without a problem and drive sprockets are easy to come by.

    http://www.tracksusa.com/index.html
     
  14. CDK
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    CDK retired engineer

    A copyright notice from Sony Music Entertainment: the video is blocked in my country????
    They can't know that, I use a satellite link.
     

  15. claydog
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    claydog Junior Member

    Dam the luck. Search snowmobile water crossing on YT, there are hundreds of water crossing vids, even a oval track race series .
     
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