Watercraft with "Suspension Systems"

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by kach22i, Jan 26, 2007.

  1. kach22i
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    Location: Michigan

    kach22i Architect

    I know the first question on your mind, why would you do that?

    To quote myself...................................

    http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15577
    Every land vehicle has a suspension, passenger trains, automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft landing gear you name it. Not only for comfort but also for handling and road or rail holding ability (some train cars even lean).

    You can sip your tea riding the train, or drink your beer crossing the English Channel on a cushion of air (hovercraft); there is something between you and "shock".


    Found an Example:
    http://www.americanhydrofoil.com/index.htm
    [​IMG]

    The example above I found at an interesting website (see link below), there may be many other examples. Please post what you may find - thanks.

    Worlds Most Radical Marine Designs
    http://foxxaero.homestead.com/newsplash.html
     
  2. stonebreaker
    Joined: May 2006
    Posts: 438
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    Location: Shiloh, IL

    stonebreaker Senior Member

    Well, part of the problem is that most suspension systems work on the principle of a small mass (wheel) hitting something and bouncing up, then the energy of the collision is absorbed via the suspension into a large mass (rest of the vehicle). Most boats don't have a small mass in contact with the water, so you can't really use a conventional suspension system.

    One thing that might work is a suspension system in the seat. Semi trucks have this and it works quite well.
     
  3. Quicksilver
    Joined: Dec 2006
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    Location: Cooperstown, NY

    Quicksilver Junior Member

    Yeah I think it would be much easier, (maybe not as cool) to put the suspension between the rider and the hull and not the hull and water. I'll tell you what, I would have liked a nice version of suspension as a teen when I was riding my RIB with a semi-surface piecing prop(45mph). Kinda blew out some disks, can never ride something like that again. suspension of some sort is important, even if it's just a seat. I see how hydrofoils would work, but hydrofoils still havent caught on.
     

  4. kach22i
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 2,418
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1222
    Location: Michigan

    kach22i Architect

    I saw such a seat on a military type boat on a TV special once. The special operations craft had all of it's seats that way. Still a heck of a shock for everything else.
     
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