Pedal Powered Boats

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Guest625101138, Jul 14, 2008.

  1. Scheny
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 72
    Likes: 5, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 47
    Location: Vienna/Austria

    Scheny Junior Member

    Hello Mike!

    I also checked for that form too. I ran Godzilla in order to look for promising forms with the constraint of being a relatively wide and short monohull. Looked a little bit more like a surfboard than a Cadence, but it comes back to nearly 500 Watts.

    Here is a picture of my design. It is parabolic/elliptic until about 50%, then straigth/elliptic until short before stern and then elliptically flattens out. Looks a bit like a catamaran hull.

    It is only very loosely based on the Godzilla study, as I redesigned it from bottom up, once I knew the direction to go. I improved it for manufacturability and equal pressure rise/drop for the cost of only a few single Watts and due to the straigth part, it can be manufactured for different displacement without additional price now if the negative form allows it.

    I put all my time in developing this hull since I stopped the Waveless hull. I stopped it because it was not so easy to board and there was not so much need for a super short boat in the community.

    I will try to initiate an Indygogo or Kickstarter campaign to get a styrofoam positive form which I can laminate to and test it in a real tow tank. Right now, it seems to outrun other fast designs by minimum of 15%. The only drawback (there always is one) is a slightly higher drag at 2 m/s speed compared to parabolic boats. At this wattages no one will be sorry.

    After restricting length to 5m, minimal radius to 1cm and adding a wavepiercing bow, my final design has 358 Watts (hello olympic hull, only 1 Watt to optimize :D ). But this design is much easier to handle and a lot stronger (I build things for durability, as I construct car parts in my real job and european cars have to hold for 15 years under stress).

    Wish you all a merry christmas and will keep you posted.

    Andreas
     

    Attached Files:

  2. MLampi
    Joined: Aug 2008
    Posts: 74
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    Location: Bellevue, WA

    MLampi Junior Member

    Scheny's boat hull design

    Hi Andreas,

    Ok, so the next question is how one stays upright with your hull. Do you intend to have outriggers, or possibly dual hulls?

    Merry Christmas to everyone!

    Michael Lampi
     
  3. Scheny
    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posts: 72
    Likes: 5, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 47
    Location: Vienna/Austria

    Scheny Junior Member

    Hello Mike!

    It is designed as an "stabilized monohull", like an evolution to Rick Willoughby´s work, but you can theoretically use two of them for a 2 seater cat. I also evaluate using my design for a 1 seater cat, but as it is impossible to get a lot below 450 Watts, I lay emphasis on minimizing the overall dimensions while keeping Watts low.

    The other work I am curently on (since three years) is an affordable drive train consisting only of non-corrosive plastic material. The clou is, that design life is in the area of 5000 hours at 580 Watts or nearly unlimited for 150 Watts and replacement parts will be in the area of 15$.

    Only drawback is the high rpm in the area of 1200-1600rpm. This helps using smaller props (for lower drafts of 23cm overall) with 88% (competition) or 82% (high thrust & weed shedding) efficiency. For lower rpm the gears would get to big (above 15cm diameter).

    Greetings from Austria,
    Andreas Schönwälder
     
  4. Coach Dave
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 70
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: Malabar, FL

    Coach Dave Junior Member

    folding prop

    I attached pictures of the folding prop that I made. It is 14" diameter (356mm) by 23.3" pitch (591mm). The blades are stainless steel. I made the hub from Delrin. The hub is threaded for a 5/16" drive shaft.

    Dave
     

    Attached Files:

  5. SailorDon
    Joined: Apr 2013
    Posts: 137
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 34
    Location: Livingston, TX

    SailorDon Senior Member

    The OP started this thread 6 years ago. If this HPV performs as claimed, where are they?

    [​IMG]

    An "aggressive cruise speed" of 10 kph (6.2 mph) sounds overly optimistic to me considering the mechanical losses in the drive mechanism and the additional drag of a rudder. From the OP video, it looks like about 3 to 4 mph and the capsize stability looks like it might be a problem.
    The speed vs. time graph posted by the OP looks suspicious in that there is only one contiguous stretch of 10 kph. The ups (bursts of speed) and downs in his test run are like "stop and go". I would expect something more consistent like the performance graph from a recent row I did.
    [​IMG]

    Has anyone seen one of these pedal powered boats? I've seen 3 or 4 of the Hobie Kayaks with the pedal powered "wings" on Texas lakes in the past year, but even they are kind of scarce.

    I will stay with my 200 year old Thames Rowing Skiff oar powered design until I see some real evidence of high performance pedal powered boats.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. portacruise
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 1,475
    Likes: 178, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 218
    Location: USA

    portacruise Senior Member

    Hi, sailor:

    Prop driven pedal boats do seem to be in decline, though there are still a few that run in kayak/canoe races in the USA and world wide.

    PC


    PS: I got this from Rick Willoughby May 23, 2014:

    "I thought you might have some interest in the Missouri River races this
    year.

    Greg K plans to run his CP2. It has been strengthened for the trip. Some
    photos here:
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...820314850.1073741825.532984849&type=1&theater

    There is also a three person boat being built by Scott Reeves in
    Springfield. He has a building blog here:
    http://raceforcleanwater.blogspot.com.au/?m=1
    I have supplied two pedal drives for this 9m long boat. There will be a
    third station for paddling or resting. They run the 340 miles in one go.
    So something over 30 hours if all goes well."




     
  7. Dennis A
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 41
    Likes: 2, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 47
    Location: Amersham bucks uk

    Dennis A Junior Member

    That prop looks great and will shed the weed very easily. What is the design revs, pitch and blade width.

    Dennis
     
  8. spidennis
    Joined: Feb 2007
    Posts: 519
    Likes: 11, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 124
    Location: south padre island, texas

    spidennis Chief Sawdust Sweeper

    I was about to mention this as well!
     
  9. Yobarnacle
    Joined: Nov 2011
    Posts: 1,746
    Likes: 130, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 851
    Location: Mexico, Florida

    Yobarnacle Senior Member holding true course

    lurking
     
  10. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Early 1900's retro sneakboat on display in the Halifax Maritime Museum:
     

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  11. portacruise
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 1,475
    Likes: 178, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 218
    Location: USA

    portacruise Senior Member

    Some other great benefits of a folding prop:
    -Cranks don't keep spinning with force with possible foot tangling when you stop pedaling.
    -Better coasting when you stop pedaling, good for start and stop situations.
    -Lower draft/breakage possible as collisions fold back blades on sandy bottom or coast over tree branches.
    -Shorter length & compact storage when folded for travel.

    I haven't found weed shedding to be all that great (especially in stringy weeds or heavy pond scum) with any prop system. Stopping and coasting then restarting does clear minor tangles at times. Rick mounts still his folding prop close enough to be cleared by hand in some designs. I haven't had any luck by cutters, inefficient "weedless" props, cages, etc. The Hobie pedal fins are better with weeds and canoe paddles the best, IMHO.

    Hope this helps.

    PC

     
  12. Coach Dave
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 70
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: Malabar, FL

    Coach Dave Junior Member

    folding prop

    640 RPM, 23.27" pitch (591 mm), 21.9 mm max width.

    Here is the prop info from JavaProp

    Diameter D 0.3556 m 14.00 in
    Spinner Dia. Dsp 0.0355 m
    Revolutions per minute rpm 640 1/min
    Velocity v 5.364 m/s 12.00 mph 19.3104 kph
    Number of Blades B 2
    Solidity sigma 0.0506
    Propeller
    v/(nD) 1.414 v/(OR) 0.45
    Efficiency ? 88.589 % loading low
    Thrust T 99.09 N Ct 0.0545
    Power P 600 W Cp 0.0869
    Q 8.95 Nm Cs 2.3049
    ? at 75%R 75%R 35.2° Pitch 591 mm 23.27 in

    r/R c/R ? H/D r c H t Airfoil
    [-] [-] [°] [-] [mm] [mm] [mm] [mm] [-]
    0 Spinner - - - - - - -
    0.05 Spinner - - - - - - -
    0.1 0.0168 81 2 17.8 3 709.3 0.3 interpolated
    0.15 0.0346 75.4 1.8 26.7 6.2 642.7 0.7 interpolated
    0.2 0.0547 70.1 1.7 35.6 9.7 615.7 1.1 interpolated
    0.25 0.0743 65.1 1.7 44.4 13.2 602.1 1.4 interpolated
    0.3 0.0914 60.6 1.7 53.3 16.3 594.4 1.8 interpolated 193, Re=300'000
    0.35 0.105 56.5 1.7 62.2 18.7 590 2 E
    0.4 0.1148 52.7 1.7 71.1 20.4 587.6 2.2 interpolated
    0.45 0.1208 49.4 1.6 80 21.5 586.4 2.3 interpolated
    0.5 0.1234 46.4 1.6 88.9 21.9 586.1 2.4 interpolated
    0.55 0.123 43.7 1.6 97.8 21.9 586.4 2.4 interpolated
    0.6 0.1203 41.2 1.7 106.7 21.4 587.2 2.3 interpolated 193, Re=300'000
    0.65 0.1154 39 1.7 115.6 20.5 588.3 2.2 E
    0.7 0.1087 37 1.7 124.5 19.3 589.6 2.1 interpolated
    0.75 0.1004 35.2 1.7 133.4 17.8 591.2 1.9 interpolated
    0.8 0.0904 33.6 1.7 142.2 16.1 593 1.7 interpolated
    0.85 0.0785 32.1 1.7 151.1 14 594.9 1.5 interpolated
    0.9 0.0641 30.7 1.7 160 11.4 596.9 1.2 interpolated
    0.95 0.0453 29.4 1.7 168.9 8 599 0.9 interpolated 193, Re=300'000
    1 0.0023 28.3 1.7 177.8 0.4 601.2 0 E
     
  13. GMR
    Joined: Sep 2011
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 22
    Location: Nova Scotia

    GMR Junior Member

    I suspect I may be a bit late with this health warning but.....mixing pedal drives and propellers on HPBs is clearly unsafe. I built and enjoyed mine last year and got part way though the upgrades this spring when I got knocked down by a stroke in early June. Clearly these events are related so be careful!!!!!!
    getting back on my feet now and the Chameleon will sail again next summer...!
    Cheers,
    Glen
     
  14. Rocky Mtn Russ
    Joined: Aug 2014
    Posts: 9
    Likes: 0, Points: 1, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Colorado

    Rocky Mtn Russ Junior Member

    Twin engine, 5 person cruiser design

    I’ve read this entire thread, as part of the research for my next boat. The knowledge and experience you all have documented here has really been helpful. Thank you for all your work!

    I’ve built a stitch & glue sea kayak (Pygmy Coho) and have quite a bit of experience with Hobie Mirage (flipper peddle) drives as well as the Hobie Tandem Island trimaran.

    I’ve done week-long kayak camping trips that have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both boat designs. My goal is to design/build a boat that is better suited to my needs than my current kayaks. The 28 foot boat Coach Dave built looks to be a good starting point for me.

    My project will be a human powered 4-5 person stabilized monohull for cruising large inland lakes (think Lake of the Woods, Ontario and Lake Powell). This boat should be able to carry 4-5 guys and camping gear for a week with a displacement goal of 1400-1600 lbs. Powered by 2 peddlers (twin engines) designed for cruising all day at a target speed of 6 mph. Due to the estimated length (I haven’t used Godzilla yet) of 29.5 feet, this boat will be built in 2 pieces.

    I’d appreciate any comments and advice the group may have as I proceed. I hope to build the boat this winter. Thanks.

    Russ
     

  15. Coach Dave
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 70
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: Malabar, FL

    Coach Dave Junior Member

    Russ,

    Welcome to the forum. I put your parameters into Godzilla (1500 lbs, 29.5 ft) and had it optimize at 6 MPH to generate a speed vs. power curve. This is a quick check to see the feasibility of your design goals. I assumed a 75% efficiency overall (i.e., propulsion power is 75% of the input power). I came up with 226 watts of input power at 6 MPH. You will have other sources of drag (rudder, stabilizers, etc.) that will require additional input power. If the 5 person crew take turns being the twin engines the 6 MPH cruise looks like a good goal. If several of the crew members are strong cyclists you could cruise a little faster . . . and it is a nice way to travel!

    Dave
     

    Attached Files:

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