Me the dog and the canoe

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by kustomizer, May 30, 2011.

  1. Deering
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Deering Senior Member

    If dog is going to ride on that aft deck, you might need to put a spray shield over the paddle wheel or he'll be getting a lot of splashing from drips flinging off of it. My dog, he likes to be out front in any boat he's riding on.
     
  2. Poida
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Australia

    Poida Senior Member

    That looks like fun. Messabout how would the paddlewheel keep turning if you stopped pedalling?

    How do you prevent swarf getting in the dog paws?

    I assume you are only installing pedals on the wife's side, while you concentrate on fishing or emptying the refreshments container.

    You can get little engines that rotate bike wheels where a rubber wheel sits on the bike tyre. Fit one on the rim of your paddle wheel and away you go.

    How do you steer the boat?
     
  3. kustomizer
    Joined: May 2011
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    Location: San Andreas ca

    kustomizer Junior Member

    I have a couple coaster hubs and will try and get them in there after we make a trip or two to find our sprocket ratios, I am starting with a 1 1/4 to 1 overdrive. I am going to put a 1/16 thick lexan guard over about 1/3 of the wheel, I imagine it could break a leg if it were inserted.
    I got the pedals in today and I did a hokey-oakie with a spool and rope to run the rudders. I don't know if the hobie rudders will work at the blistering speeds I will be running at.
    I have wondered how it might do with a 5 hp honda under the passenger seat.
    Most of the time it will be just me and the dog ( I lean ) and she will sit in the other chair however I plan to put a trampoline up front as well.
     
  4. kustomizer
    Joined: May 2011
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    Location: San Andreas ca

    kustomizer Junior Member

    We are headed to the lake in the morning to have a run at it.
     

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  5. river runner
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: Colorado

    river runner baker

    I'm an avid cyclist and I'm wondering about your seat to crank relationship. The seats in the picture are more the type you might see on a recumbant bicycle which would require the cranks to be out in front of you, rather than below. If you mount the cranks too low the front of the seat will interfere with leg action.
     
  6. kustomizer
    Joined: May 2011
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    Location: San Andreas ca

    kustomizer Junior Member

    river runnner, my bride and I have tested it just about all we can in the shop and the pedal position seems great, but remember I am 6'7 with plenty of legs.
    I did however leave room to move them up or down 3 inches without too much trouble.
    Pops is going to meet me and the dog at the lake 9ish and we will take it for a spin and see what all needs adjusted.
    I will need to learn to repair fiberglass soon too as someone shot one of the hulls with a .22 at some point. I filled it with silicone for now but a better patch is in order.
     
  7. Deering
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Deering Senior Member

    A little Honda hydraulic power pack might work nice there. Put the pump unit under your seat, mount a hydraulic motor on the shaft, and the control stick between the seats.
     
  8. kroberts
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    Location: Chicago area

    kroberts Senior Member

    I hate to bring it up at this late stage, but maybe you can still get use out of your canoe.

    Had you thought of an outrunner or two, maybe some long poles tied in crosswise with a small floating bit on the end? Something on the order of a pool noodle with a pole in it. If you're running one on each side then they can be up out of the water for normal operation and only come into play if the dog does the doggy dance.
     
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  9. kustomizer
    Joined: May 2011
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    Location: San Andreas ca

    kustomizer Junior Member

    The canoe is still the founding member of the fleet and I think the foam floatie that goes on the top of the Hobie mast to keep it from going all the way upside down just might make an outrigger for the canoe.

    The pedal paddle seems to work quite well, the sprocket ratio seems right, the pedal placement is just about right, and there is plenty of rudder to steer her just fine. I was supprised to see the dogs aft trampoline didn't get wet at all ( I will still put a guard on it for safety ). I have lots of small things to make yet, steering wheel and a support bracket, beverage holders, and brackets to mount the top to mention a few but I think I will work on the trailer firrst and get it legal and safe to haul as well as some vertical poles to make it easier for the dog to load. all in all a good first trip.
     
  10. kustomizer
    Joined: May 2011
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    Location: San Andreas ca

    kustomizer Junior Member

    Today we made a steering wheel, a support bracket with an insulated cup holder and a small stash spot for a tennis ball. We got out the other day with a 20 or so mph wind and found it a bit much to pedal so I see smaller front sprockets will be a priority sooner than later.
     

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  11. ancient kayaker
    Joined: Aug 2006
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    Location: Alliston, Ontario, Canada

    ancient kayaker aka Terry Haines

    Love the steering wheel and other accroutrements, but . . we're still talking about a canoe, right?

    (sometimes I lose the thread)
     
  12. thedutchtouch
    Joined: Feb 2010
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    Location: baltimore. MD

    thedutchtouch Junior Member

    i beleive it's evolved into a catamaran paddlewheel boat using hobie cat hulls
     
  13. FMS
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: united states

    FMS Senior Member

    Very nice metalwork kustomizer!
     
  14. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Impressive it is.
     

  15. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
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    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    ===============
    Congratulations! This is fun to follow and you seem to do excellent work.
     
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