Buttocks

[Mr Efficiency]

Hell yeah. Truer words were never spoken, my friend.
Consider that in a deep v hull, inboard engines must be as low as possible. That squeezes them together, putting props close together. As low as possible in an inverted v, puts them well out against the topsides. Widely spaced props give nice control in tight spaces, if the operator is good with his throttles.

I notice that some query the cavitation issue as one that held the sled idea back, but I would say that at least for single engine installations, it would have been a source of trouble. Twins, it may still be a problem, but if you are going to use twins, I say a cat would be a better idea.

 

[DogCavalry]

You really love cats!

I really love sleds. I’m beyond hope or reason sir. I’ll have a sea sled, or die, pining for one. Since I’m doomed anyway, I’ll make the best that my hands and brains, and tiny budget will allow.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

All the rescue services, water police etc use cats here, and for good reason

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I’m beyond hope or reason sir.

I do like your quixotic ideas, but probably because I'm not footing the bill !

 

[DogCavalry]

Lol! Fair enough.

 

[bajansailor]

These Noosa Cats are very impressive indeed.
I was on a mini-walkabout in Oz 20 years ago (from Sydney to Cairns and back on the buses) and I stopped off in Noosa for a couple of days, and wandered in to the Noosa Cat yard to say hello. They were very helpful and interesting to talk to, and I came away armed with a stack of brochures (these were pre-internet website days) even though they knew that I wasn't in the market for buying one of their craft.
Noosa Cat Australia https://noosacat.com.au/

 

[DogCavalry]

Is there any verification?

So here's the best photo I've seen of this action
Note there's no bow wave. I do see a large rooster tail from the large 1928 surface piercing propellors. I also see a tiny stern wave. Looks like lateral flow down the tunnel and under the transom rolls the stern wave inwards. Fascinating.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I'd be leery of dynamic instability with a sled. Especially if lightweight, and high powered. Corkscrew rolling isn't unheard of in lightweight cats, it would likely be more pronounced with a sled, driven hard at an angle to head seas. What may save the day, the driver has already backed off after bone-jarring landings ! But it is a factor, and may explain a few mysterious capsizes of asymmetric power cats, that had more "shape" down the tunnel, than outside it.

 

[DogCavalry]

This particular sled will never be lightweight, or high powered. Think of a tradesman's lorry loaded with bits and pieces, half a dozen lads in heavy practical boots, their tools, 25 sheets of 15mm plywood, and a dozen bags of cement.

A sled gives more speed at any power to weight ratio, or at least that was the professional opinion of George Crouch. It also is completely level, when landed on a beach, like a cat. And I think they're cool.

There's nothing in the literature to expect slamming. In fact the literature suggests the opposite. But I aim to find out.

j

 

[BlueBell]

There's nothing in the literature to expect slamming. In fact the literature suggests the opposite. But I aim to find out.

What is the scheduled launch date at this point, "looking forward"?

 

[DogCavalry]

I've got the shop until the end of August. After that I'm working on it outdoors. Evenings and weekends for the next 10 months.

 

[BlueBell]

Excellent.

"Perfect" as the youth would say.

 

[DogCavalry]

I'm nervous as hell. I wish sleds were as common as lobster boats back home. I'd have more to follow.

 

[BlueBell]

An East-coaster 'eh, shoulda' oda known...

This will likely be the craziest thing you've ever done.

 

[DogCavalry]

LOL! If it makes the top 5 I'll be surprised. It's genuinely astonishing that I'm alive.