Pedal Powered Boats

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

  1. David Cooper
    Joined: Jan 2015
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    David Cooper Senior Member

    Look at the picture though (the pink hull one) - imagine the curve of the drive shaft the other way up and it would join to the propeller with the same amount of curve. Then encase it in a foil following the same curve to minimise drag.
     
  2. W9GFO
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    Sure, but it would still extend past the transom about a meter, maybe a little less (the common application is to bolt it onto a transom). The "S" curve would need to start where the belt drive is now. I'm not saying it wouldn't work, probably better than what they currently use. Best would be to enclose the existing belt into a larger streamlined drive leg, IMO.
     
  3. David Cooper
    Joined: Jan 2015
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    David Cooper Senior Member

    A lot less than that - I reckon the prop would be just about level with the aftmost point of the hull.
     
  4. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    Only if side mounted like in the pink boat, not if you want something to mount on your transom.
     
  5. upchurchmr
    Joined: Feb 2011
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    Yet another miracle which cannot be revealed. Or miracles.

    A bunch of obvious platitudes, but not hard facts or suggestions.

    Mr. Haggsway - are you planning on making a fortune on your ideas? Never going to happen with man powered vehicles - most people don't care in the least.
    The best you can hope is to be famous in a small specialist group.

    Lets see a picture of your vehicle, with it's performance.

    Maybe you are actually a world beater. Show us.
     
  6. Zowie
    Joined: Aug 2019
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    Location: 98104

    Zowie New Member

    Hi,
    Anyone interested in developing a the ultimate human/wind power excursion craft? Like a highly efficient pedal catamaran with kite sail and hydrofoil. I'm interested in a coastal camping rig that can cover more than 10mi per day.

    I've put a few different pedal crafts to the test in S.E Alaska, like the Seacycles and the Hobie Tandem Island, I've also kayaked many hundreds of miles in S.E. Alaska.

    I live in Seattle now, but would like to develop a light craft for cold water coastal camping exploration. My interests are similar, weight, stability, simplicity, convenience, comfort, but with a few additions: A flip down hydrofoil and kite sail.

    I once used a 3 meter kite with the Seacycle and hit speeds that would have pinch poled me if it wasn't for the upward thrust of the kite which I had threaded through the ama bows. I'm pretty sure with a hydrofoil I could have popped that thing out of the water. Kayaking is fun but slow, pedaling is definitely more efficient, but using the wind when you have it is a no-brainer. However sails demand a lot more structural integrity and equipment than kites do. Anyone interested in developing a the ultimate human/wind power excursion craft?

    The Hobie Tandem Island is too wet for cold choppy waters. The Seacycle is amazingly dryer, so I think the catamaran with seat on the bridge concept is better for rough water. I called Seacycle and they have no interest in evolving their 30yr old design. Please let me know if you've found other companies that are doing anything close to this. Most of the cycle/hydrofoil/kite crafts are being built for speed, not for efficient travel.

    Thanks,
    Barry
     
  7. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    Several years is nothing compared to the time that many people have invested in improving human powered propulsion. It is bold of you to come onto a boat design forum and school everyone on how insane they are.

    Chances are that whatever you have come up with has been thought of and tried before - a century ago. I'd like to be proven wrong, let's hear your idea, after all the purpose of this forum is to "Discuss boat design concepts, projects, plans, reviews, resources, and general design topics."
     
  8. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    I was with you until you mentioned foils. I like foils, but I would not want them on a cruising craft. Too much debris in the water.
     
  9. Zowie
    Joined: Aug 2019
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    Zowie New Member

    The hydrofoil is not the most important part, but since I'd need a keel of some sort and the foil works so well as a stabilizer, it might be the way to go.
     
  10. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    You need to make an SOR - Statement Of Requirements (I think).

    List out the requirements that your vessel needs to have, as if you were going to take them to a NA.

    Such as how many people must it carry, how much in provisions, sleeping space(?), enclosed or not, size/weight limitations, just everything you can think of.

    I am working on a boat that could be close to what you have in mind but I cannot say for sure until I know more about what you want.
     
  11. Zowie
    Joined: Aug 2019
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    Location: 98104

    Zowie New Member

    Thanks W9GFO!

    SOR Preliminary--which I can expand with more questions:

    1 Person Craft: 200 lbs per person, 100 lbs of gear. Better make it 400 lbs total capacity for the oversize beings. (if it was just for me I'd be happy with 300 lbs capacity)
    2 Person Craft: more efficient and desirable, need a min 600 to 700lb capacity for 2 people.

    The hulls don't need to hold much of anything, Seacycles use a basket about the size of a backpack behind the seat which is convenient and stuff stays dry. Gear capacity is about as much as fits in a huge backpack.

    No sleeping capacity. I'm thinking more of a beachable craft like the Seacycle or Hobie Tandem. Both those boats are easily collapsible so they can be drug or wheeled up the beach as one unit or in parts.

    One of the reasons I don't like bigger boats is the worry of dragging with the huge tides. I find coastal camping more interesting than watching the land from the boat--that's too much like TV:)

    Thanks for your help, I'm interested in what you have going.

    If anyone reading this has a good understands hydrofoil calculations, I'd be interested in knowing how large a front and back foil would need to be and how fast it would need to sail lift something like this or at least reduce drag.

    Like this link, everything out there is made for speed and fun. I'm looking for more of a camping hauler, kayak replacement. Small enough to put on a car or tow, holds gear, pedals efficiently for no wind, kite sails with wind or broad reach. A wind, no wind coastal camping gear rig. This is way to wet a ride to be of use for cold water camping and obviously way to fast for leisurely exploration.


    Cheers, B
     
  12. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    W9GFO Senior Member

    Please restate one of the flaws you wish to discuss.
     
  13. Zowie
    Joined: Aug 2019
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    Zowie New Member

    @DHaggsway, I came into this discussion to problem solve. Are you offering any actual solutions or just theoretical abstracts? I'm certainly interested if you can solve the core issue of remote beach camping by water with or without human power: has to be light, beachable, 300 mile range, 2 person, 600 lb payload. I think you're saying there's an alternative. Sounds great, what is it?
     
  14. W9GFO
    Joined: Dec 2014
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    Location: Olalla, WA

    W9GFO Senior Member

    It sounds like what I am working on is substantially similar to what you are interested in. I would say PM me, but as far as I can tell this forum does not support that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2019

  15. Ad Hoc
    Joined: Oct 2008
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect



    Well, look at the evidence:

    This tiresome chestnut again - thinking outside the box. What box, where what size...ugh, nonsense management without a clue speak.
    Spoken like a true engineer!! o_O

    And of course this:

    Claims to have the solution - but offers nothing.

    The thing about engineering and science, is that it advances from peer reviewed critiquing of said claim.
    Don't see much evidence of that here ...
     
    W9GFO likes this.
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