Converting a Electric motor Qboat to a Sailboat.

Discussion in 'Sailboats' started by Projectnick, May 18, 2013.

  1. Projectnick
    Joined: May 2013
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    Projectnick Junior Member

    Hello everyone,
    I have a Qboat which is Electric powered and i want to put a sail power on it. I am a Naval Arch Student and I don't see many materials online on conversions. I have been reading stuff about it and I am not sure how professionals choose the shape of the sail, number of sail, and area of sail. I would really love some professional advice.

    This is my boat
    http://www.oceanscience.com/pdf/Q-Boat 1 Spec Sheet.pdf

    this boat has a keel and rudder too.
     
  2. dskira

    dskira Previous Member

    Its time for you to have fun making your own research. You don't want someone to tell you how to do it, it will spoil your learning curve.
    Try and error are the most interesting moment in life. Be a real student: study and learn by doing.
     
  3. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum Nick.

    I find it difficult to imagine a student in your field, not having a reasonable grasp on the fundamentals of hydrodynamics. Without a clear idea of the shapes involved with your Qboat, it's difficult to suggest anything about a conversion. Can you post lines for this craft?
     
  4. latestarter
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    latestarter Senior Member

  5. Projectnick
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    Projectnick Junior Member

    I dont have lines for the boat, but it regular v-shaped displacement kind. Thank you all and late starter.
     
  6. messabout
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    messabout Senior Member

    New Orleans is literally crawling with sail boats. Look around some boat yards, sailing clubs, and yacht clubs for real world examples of a huge variety of sail boats and rigs. You will meet some old time sailors who might have suggestions.
     
  7. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Is this part of a school assignment or project?
     
  8. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Do you have access to the boat? If so you can measure the boat and develop a set of lines. Several methods are described in this book which can be download free: http://www.museumsmallcraft.org/publications.html Given the size of the boat in question the simplest method may be to use templates.

    "Taking off lines" is a marketable skill and an example of having done so would be a good addition to your resume.
     
  9. Projectnick
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    Projectnick Junior Member

    Thank you DCockey, its a project
     
  10. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    What year are you in? How much knowledge of sailboats do you have?

    Do you need to convert an actual boat or only put together a design? How long do you have? Is it a team project or are you working by yourself?
     
  11. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

  12. Projectnick
    Joined: May 2013
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    Projectnick Junior Member

    I don't have much knowledge about the sail-boat. I just know the terminology and the physics behind it because i am reading the Principles of yacht design by larssson and CA Marchaj, Sail performance book. I know the design process of the regular ship hull where they use the NavCad, GHs, rhino and other for different prediction, but never even see a real sail boat. I am not an American, that describes it. :). I just have to put together a design by myself, but not really construct it in a semester to study.
     
  13. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Good to hear you already found Principles of Yacht Design.
     
  14. Projectnick
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    Projectnick Junior Member

    I am digging!! Thanks
     

  15. Skyak
    Joined: Jul 2012
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    Skyak Senior Member

    I design sail rigs for kayaks that would be an easy fit but you have far bigger issues with righting and control. If you look at manned sailboats you will be way off in terms of righting unless you can match the active control. For more guidance, look at remote control sailboats, particularly the ones that copy the hull shapes of standard sailboats like the laser. RC boats have giant keels relative to their displacement.

    My advice, start by measuring the the righting of the boat you have. With that you can begin to consider the ability to carry a sail. My gut feel is that you are going to have to choose an unconventional sail that is self trimming and you may have to build a 'battery keel' because you can't get the righting you need without raising the displacement too much without relocating the battery much lower. Alternative would be to go with a light lithium ion battery and a deep lead keel or a multihull (which has been done).

    Some other important considerations -do the instruments and communications on the boat need it to be upright to work? Will the sail or the keel interfere with operation? Do you have draft limits? How will you control the sail and with what feedback?
     
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