High Speed Kayak

My workplace is moving to the shore of a lake. It so happens that I live on the opposite shore of said lake. This has caused me to think of a so-crazy-it-might-work idea and I was hoping for opinions...

I would like to motorize a kayak and use it for commuting. For this to work it would need the following performance:
* About 10 miles range
* About 25 mph speed
* Small and light enough that I can carry/drag it for a block.

My plan:
1) Buy a Flyak
2) Attach Minnkota trolling motor or weed whacker motor
3) Go real fast
4) Try not to kill myself

Your job:
1) Tell me why this is insane
2) See #1

 

How far have you got to travel and what weather conditions can you expect? What is the maximum fetch distance for waves to build up? Weed?

You could halve the weight if it did not have the engine.

Something like the Cadence will do 6mph with reasonable ease. A purpose built boat could do it faster under pedal power and be similar weight to the flyak. (Are flyaks being sold - how much?)

Flyak is a twitchy machine and the more weight you add the more power it will need to fly. I expect the paddler hits about 1kW when he is getting the thing to lift so adding the weight of an engine will mean 1HP will be borderline to get it flying. The batteries will probably kill the MinnKota. The motors produce under 0.5kW. You would be better going for an outrunner type motor, a lithium battery and special prop.

A good displacement hull could get 12mph with a lightweight 1HP motor or 8mph with a moderately fit human engine. The human engine offers a lot of benefits like not having to worry about fuel. On the other hand it is not something you would do in a suit and tie. Would avoid any need to ever go to a gym. You would be the most relaxed worker in the place. A constant high on endorphins without the angst of traffic. Pedal boating is the best way to exercise I have found.

So provide a few more parameters on what the expanse of water is like and see what else might come up.

Rick W.

 

I can answer one of the questions above myself. Price of flyak is EUR1900 plus transport plus applicable tax. This includes a EUR300 training package so it would seem quite a skill to master. Not yet being delivered.

Can you imagine someone in a suit trying to mount something sitting in the water that is 500mm beam with a semi-circular hull!!! Then flogging crap out of the pull cord on a weed wacker engine while staying upright. Would be an interesting sight. Maybe even a candidate for funniest home videos.

Don't think it is insane just bound to be funny - maybe also wet and cold.

Rick W.

 

Did a google for flyyak, as it was new to me, well it did seem the name was new for me, not the concept. Found out that the foils were far smaller than I had expected too...

(This is maybe a bit off the track, but can you include the wind in this consideration?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oyWMusaDTI&NR=1
)

 

Knut
Did you see the windsurfer in the background? Sort of verifies that planing is as good or better than foiling if you use a low aspect foil. Planing might be harder on the skeleton though.

Rick

 

Question - why do you have to drag the thing for a block and at which end are you dragging it - home to shore, shore to office or both? Is it not possible to moor? Is it ten miles each way or ten miles all together? And then all the other questions thrown in too.

Not that I have any answers yet, but, I just wanted more details.

 

Just go with a Mokai.

http://www.mokai.com/

 

Wow - that Mokai is a great little concept. It woudl beat trying to balance a Flyak while the motor gets up to speed.

Actually, a Flyak with an outrigger or two might cut it - through it is very sensitive to weight and might require redesign of the foils

 

You'd probably get to work directly across the lake at 30 mph in this baby.

It's 2 feet wide, 24 feet long, and powered by a Honda GX200 engine with 1:1 gear ratio, direct drive via cone clutch and a 6 inch two-blade stainless steel propeller.

The whole thing wouldn't cost more than $1000 to build in the USA using the best quality plywood you can lay your hands on. I think I can build one here in the Philippines for about $300 complete -- and this even includes the labor over here!

You might want a spray deflector on choppy days ...

 

I didn't notice that one, the fact that its actually catching up, going faster....

Rough on the skeleton... Think of how it will feel when you're flipping over, feets securely placed in the straps on the board.... on that foil sailboard.

 

Maybe check out the Gheenoe. http://www.gheenoe.net/index.html
Electric motor won't get you 25mph, small 2-str. outboard will. Not much more weight than the set of batteries needed to power the electric. You can build or buy a canoe dolly to wheel it one block.

 

Thats nuts
How do normal folk do this ?
Wait for winter, skate over
Build a cannon either side
Keep ya day job
Have fun - drink more
BR>Jack