Pedal Powered Boats

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

  1. Heimfried
    Joined: Apr 2015
    Posts: 535
    Likes: 139, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 37
    Location: Berlin, Germany

    Heimfried Senior Member

    It should be better to build the boat in one piece, then set bulkheads in it and cut it afterwards. A friend of mine did it (3 pieces) in 2018.
    He did write a detailed building report, which I'll link in some posts. It is in German but contains a lot of pics that should you give some hints.
    The boat build in one piece ("Kymi River"):
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4361531&#post4361531
    Connection principle as cross section: the double bulkhead is crossed by a bolt an a nut with a washer at both side and a selfmade elastic sealing gasket between the bulkheads.
    In the bulkhead bores are brass bushings (fresh water boat) glued in to prevent wearing out the bores.
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4369075&#post4369075
    Doing fitting templates, cut the bulkheads to shape and set the bushings and connection screws precisely.
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4384653&#post4384653
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4389251&#post4389251
    Glueing in the bulkheads with a separation layer in between to prevent sticking to each other and provide a small gap for the saw blade to cut.
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4403204&#post4403204
    Cut carefully!
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4404027&#post4404027
    Dryfitting
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4437046&#post4437046
    Launching
    boote-forum.de - Das Forum rund um Boote https://www.boote-forum.de/showthread.php?p=4440249&#post4440249
     
    Will Gilmore likes this.
  2. Andrew Kirk
    Joined: Jul 2021
    Posts: 97
    Likes: 68, Points: 18
    Location: Chorley UK

    Andrew Kirk Pedal boater.

    I have also started the build of a pedal powered catamaran which will be transported in 2 sections. Each hull is being made in 2 parts and front and rear frames will link port to starboard. The 2 frames will then bolt together to make a complete vessel. I'll start a build thread but more for reader entertainment than for seeking advice. I built my first pedal powered dinghy in 2021 and had 2 great years sailing. I've been designing the catamaran ever since and have a complete and detailed plan, mainly in my head! So far I've made one of the 4 hull sections and am very pleased with it. Below is the first boat. 20220921_112305.jpg
     
    tom melon likes this.
  3. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,686
    Likes: 961, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    I've never seen this before:
    Derailleur in a box
    Some gearing application options...
    Oh, and no, I'm not an huge Honda fan
     
    VinTin likes this.
  4. EGComposites
    Joined: Feb 2023
    Posts: 9
    Likes: 4, Points: 3
    Location: Netherlands

    EGComposites Junior Member

    Did anyone experienced a squirrel cage type of propeller?
     
    mitchgrunes likes this.
  5. mitchgrunes
    Joined: Jul 2020
    Posts: 276
    Likes: 84, Points: 28
    Location: Maryland

    mitchgrunes Senior Member

    A few people have been lucky enough to survive going over Niagara Falls in barrels. If you attach a propeller to it, as you roll through the falls, maybe you would get a little propulsion. Though not always in the right direction.

    Unfortunately, if such an experiment "fails", you don't get a second chance.
     
    EGComposites likes this.
  6. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
    Posts: 3,762
    Likes: 1,152, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 2040
    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    Yes, someone did...



    IIRC there have also been a few in the Port Townsend Kinetic Sculpture Race.
     
  7. EGComposites
    Joined: Feb 2023
    Posts: 9
    Likes: 4, Points: 3
    Location: Netherlands

    EGComposites Junior Member

    I'm speechless:))
    I actually meant a propeller like the ones in the indoor AC units, small enough to be put Under the boat, in a cage like that would allow the water flow in one direction so that you can pedal it:)
     
  8. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
    Posts: 3,762
    Likes: 1,152, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 2040
    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    No,No,No,...not a smart idea. Pump jets: yes, centrifugal pumps: no.
    So things like a White-Gill Thruster or a Voith Schneider Propeller work, but not a "squirrel cage"...

    Home | Tees White Gill Thrusters https://www.teesgillthrusters.com/
    Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) | Voith https://voith.com/corp-en/drives-transmissions/voith-schneider-propeller-vsp.html
     
  9. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,686
    Likes: 961, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    EGC,

    I knew what you meant.

    BB
     

  10. mitchgrunes
    Joined: Jul 2020
    Posts: 276
    Likes: 84, Points: 28
    Location: Maryland

    mitchgrunes Senior Member

    I've actually seen pictures of whitewater craft that looked a little like the "giant bubble". They were supposed to be able to go through rapids that an ordinary whitewater boat wouldn't be safe in, because they would absorb shock, and they had a lot of flotation.

    I have no idea how good an idea they would be. I would worry that, like some rafts, they could easily get caught in hydraulics (also called "holes"). In addition, because they are so high, maybe they would tend to catch wind gusts or get pushed out of the intended direction of travel by breaking waves. But maybe I am completely wrong.

    I understand that isn't what you meant. I just found the idea fascinating. I think, on a sheltered flatwater lake, they might actually be a lot of fun, something that someone could use without a lot of training, if they were designed right. Plus, they seem very simple.

    Of course, if they person had to go to the bathroom inside the craft, and they didn't have think to put their waste in, it could become very unpleasant, with all the waste continually going around and landing on the person. Yuk! :(
     
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