Birthday boat

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Come along Ladies

We wanna see some Action!

Bob and the gang

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I can see that the young ladies are thinking on their feet and making it up/solving issues as they arise. That's how I work and its great..to have an idea, start with a bit of a sketch and then develop the idea "on the hoof". Fabbydozo.

To have vision is a great thing. To be able to imagine what the end result will be and go for it. To have the faith (and I usually need a LOT of faith) that what you are making is achievable.

I can understand Larry`s tidy woodwork comment, but what`s not seen……

Amy, how about a variable pitch/reversing propeller (two blade for ease of construction) !!! would probably be much safer and manageable than making an adequate clutch operated by a toddy little r/c servo. (Bob will design one for you)

OR… a reversing bucket (or flap, whatever), like a jet drive ???…would give some reverse or at least stopping power…..

Ashley

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi all, still plodding away, will get some more photos up tomorrow.

Thanks Ashley, and I agree, making it up as you go is a lot of fun, as long as you can think faster than you can build! ( since I can't think all that fast I have to build slow!)

Variable pitch prop? That got me thinking! How's this-

1) leave the govenor on the engine

2) control speed,forward,nuetral and reverse with just one servo, via the prop.

now that would be something! (all ready figured out how to do the prop, quite simple really) however the clutch is already under construction, so shall continue for now , but I really like the prop idea!

How about twin rudders, toe-ing in, for a reversing bucket?

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

 

Hi Amy and Ashley,

there exists this type of rudder, I think I've the correct name, a Kitchen rudder. I found this one on a boat in Chatham Dockyard museum and always wondered why it didn't catch on?

As shown above it acts as a normal rudder about the prop. A control handle on the rudder arm is wound and the two concave shells close in about the prop, still able to act as a rudder but eventually they form a scallop shape that directs some of the prop flow back to the stern. Without touching engine speed the boat stops (like a jet drive) a bit more closing of the two shells and the vessel goes astern and can be easily steered as it now acts as a Kortz nozzle.

An inter-webby search in images for Kitchen rudder will bring up loads of images of these at all scales. Even modellers have produced them at small scale and I'm certainly going to try and build one. It will require two servos (one to steer and one to control the opening/closing of the two halves).

Here's a model version.

Looks a simple enough engineering job, shaft in a shaft in a shaft!

Only draw back is – can it cope with fast craft, these were more for steady runners, steam engine, canal boat, etc. I've seen one working on a canal boat, and it really makes going astern simple on one.

Just an another idea – instead of variable pitch props.

Kimmo.

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 11/01/2014 10:55:18

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 11/01/2014 10:56:25

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That's a clever idea, Kimmo

Just the job for Amy's boat?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Kimmo. Excellent info. there's something for everything out there, nothing is new.

Amy , I can only say that the clutch idea would be fine if you had a monster servo or servo-assistance, the variable pitch prop is the way to go as it does away with several extra controls, and I have a feeling making a kitchen rudder to withstand the forces involved might be a bit more of a heavy engineering job.

Ashley

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello Kimmo, that's a nice bit of engineering. I would imagine it would be a lot better than my twin rudder idea!

I think the kitchen rudder would be better suited to a large, slow turning prop, than a small, coarse, fast one. I can foresee a lot of cavitation going on, when the shells were closed, more so if the engine was governed to a fixed speed.

Ashley, I've been giving the variable pitch prop idea further thought. Asuming that we can make the clutch work, the prop would only reduce the number of controls if we did away with the throttle. The engine would then have to be held at less than full revs, say 3,500 rather than 5,000, which would reduce the models top speed. To run the model slowly you would wind the pitch finner, result the boat doing 2 knots at 3,500 rpm! so you would need the throttle any way. I think, if we can't get the clutch to work, then permently engaging the prop, and just using the engine kill switch, from idle would be the more sensible option. ( maybe pulse the ignition on and off, a la gnome radial?)

Thanks for all the great input, really giving the grey matter a good work out! ( I'm learning so much that I may not be a blonde for much longer!)

Aj

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello again

Next lot of photos through, from out in the sticks, so pull up a sturdy chair, pour a stiff drink, and we'll will plug on.

Lynn chucked another lump of antipodean hard wood in the lathe, and turned up the girl end of the cone clutch.

This will now be glued to a bit of ply , face down, so she can turn the tapered hole for the crankshaft on 'tuther end.

A plastic pattern was made, and the boy end turned.

She will wait now until the female end is on the crankshaft, and the engine back in, to see how every thing fits, then she will turn the groove for the clutch lever in the male end. In the meanwhile, she set to work on Bob"s railway sleepers, fairing them into the frames and removing surplus wood. (not so scary now Bob?)

The skeg will be faired in once the bottom's on

Aj &L

Edited By Amy jane September on 12/01/2014 08:31:32

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

My word!…..What a gruesome sight!

Still grovelling in the dirt, I see?

Can`t make the shape out yet, since you said the hull would be pointy at both ends? Can see a wide former at the rear?……eh?

A good suggestion for mounting wooden things on shafts, is to fit a steel bar across the hub and drill the shaft bore through it and tap it out for a chunky grub screw

Keep up the good work, girls…….It`s all very fascinating to see the Ugly Duckling turn into a Swan!

BOBB

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Old motorcycle clutches were lined with cork, although you would need some steel on the other face, info just in case your exotic antipodean wood clutch catches fire as per a boy scout rubbing two sticks together……

Yes agree with bob, cant discern any shape yet with log and whalebone pictures thus far. Not that that means anything of course..just thought I would agree with Bob !

Amy the variable pitch mechanism would OF COURSE be linked to the throttle…..low pich half noise, full pitch full noise. Please, a nice reverse cone megga will be required for the exhaust, a baffled end tube can tone the noise down, and this needs to be in full view in order to impress people (albeit only A&L). Your boat will sound like a lawnmower with the tin box!!

Ashley

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello gents.

It's ok Bob, you will recover, Nurse September recommends two valium and a lie down!

The plan at this stage is to grind a long, square taper on the propshaft,and press fit the clutch.

The end of the hull is a couple of inches beyond the railway sleeper, so the end will be pointy, allbeit rather full.

It's good to agree with Bob, Ashley. After all, Bob is a most agreeable chap!

The clutches on reel mowers were also corked lined, and seemed to last forever. Given the small size of the prop, and the wedge effect of the cone, I can't see the clutch slipping long enough for friction heat to be an issue, although I have been known to be wrong in the past!

I think the engine sounds fine, it is quiet with quite a low exhaust note, for a two stroke, none of this high pitched scream. Remember too, that the out let will be on the water line, which should make it sound like a wet exhaust.

Nurse September

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I must say….That Yule log of a hull bottom looks grotesesque !

Suggestion…..If the clutch engage lever was spring loaded, you could have a dog clutch

With rounded edges it should be ok?

Still an absorbing subject and pretty impressive work by a couple o' Shiela's stuck in the outback!

Can't wait for the next revelation!

Bobb

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob, It is of course barbi (q) season downunder and I suspect the shavings off the hull and clutch are being used to toast Kangaroo burgers, or is it Emu steaks in NZ?

I would just like to know how big the clutch is thats all; as and when they are all full up and can get on with the important stuff.

Ashley

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Yeah, g'day mate, howzit danglin cobber?

I say, old chap, shame on you what? We're not Haustrailian, eh. We're Kiwi. Kangaroo? Emu? Gastly I say, Scream. We eat Pukekos and puwha here!

um..sorry 'bout that…

Ashley, the clutch is about 3" diameter. And yes it works!

Bob, close your eyes, look the other way, run for the hills, things are going to get very,very ugly. you have been warned……

Photos soon.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Don't say it's photograph of the Kiwi Lady Boatbuilders?…….Ha! Ha!

Sorry about, Blue

You've been very quiet lately, girls, we were beginning to think all sorts of ugly rumours!

But where's the action?

Where's the pix?

We look forward to the latest episode of country folk, doing their best, building a birthday present for one special lucky person!

Wonder who the person is and what has he done to deserve it!

All will be revealed shortly, no doubt

I'm sure we saw you two ladies, chopping away on Ransey Street?

Bob and the Boyz in Blighty

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello again, Here we go…

The cone, with the operating mechanisim above it. Two pegs extend down from the top pivoting cross piece, into slots turned in the cone. The operating lever is on the right hand end of the cross piece.

viewed from the other side. (the thing in the top right corner is the exhaust)

side view

Since the set up couldn't be put in the water to test it, Lynn decided that putting a decent sized aero prop on it would simulate water prop thrust.

That's an 18" x 8" prop! (I see she's had a good clean up in the garage)

The engine fired up, (after oiling the shaft, of coarse) This is the business end, with that big prop spinning at a goodly rate. She says that she can disengage it with her little finger, so the servo should be well up to the job. She ran it for about ten minutes with no boy scout fires! She also thinks that Bob's suggestion of a dog clutch is a good one. The Idea of this clutch set up came from a magazine artical, published in the '70s by RD Culler, and has followed his general procedure. She feels that this is about the limit for her very basic machining set up.

Lynn's done her bit with it now, so I'll pick the yule log up next week, (I've yet to lay eyes on it myself). tidy it all up, and wrap a hull around it.

Edited By Amy jane September on 19/01/2014 09:27:53

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Hello Amy,

Nice to the scrap yard challenge coming on…………

envey you at the moment , you have so much energy , like me me in the old days …….

one item noticed .. GET THAT EXPOSED SAW BLADE COVERED ……

OK , keep up the good work cheers Larry …….

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Amongst all that junk, there is a boat somewhere?

Any chance of a motor run on YouTube?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Amy, me little possum. G`day.

The words Amazon and dugout would appear to have some bearing on this boat and no mistake.

I am constantly amazed at the scale of things, when for instance comparing the not very small (for a model) engine with the side frames, and I was struggling to find a propellor in the picture when I realised that the er, bit of wood..amongst the other bits of was the propellor and at 18 imperial you say!! Top hole!

I cant wait to see all that oiled Kauri wood diagonal hull planking later on, and of course the internal finish is of absolutely of no import whatsoever unless entering a competiton (bob)

Ashley

[shipwrightParticipant @shipwright]

Hello Amy,

Your project gets 100 % for ingenuity and making use of the equipment and materials that are to hand.

However, I must urge caution when it come down to "health & safety". If I do an experiment with my boat out of the water the worst that can happen is a bruised or cut finger if I was silly enough the put my hand near the spinning prop – the power at the prop is low (a few tens of watts).

In your case if anyone makes a careless move near the prop with the engine running there is a real possibility of serious injury (the output from your engine is measured in kilowatts). So please remember H&S – I know that this might seem a bit of a fuss but prevention is better than cure. As an example I would at least put up a simple form of barrier (to keep people away from the rotating prop) around the area of the prop when carrying out powered up experiments out of the water. And when the boat is powered up in the water it will be essential to ensure that if there are people in the water they are kept well away from the boat.

Regards.

Ian

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello.

Thanks for the comments. Always welcome.

Bob, I don't much care for you tube, and don't have an account, I'm not sure about Lynn, I shall check with her.

Thanks for your concerns about H&S, it's nice to know you care! These photos are Lynn's work shop, not mine(I don't have one -Yet) Here in NZ there is a rather lax attitude to H&S (although that is improving) and we have quite a high rate of work place accidents. Lynn is no exception in that regard. (I'm not quite so bad) Having said that , she has made it to middle age with all her fingers in tact, not bad considering she has spent time working in a saw mill! None the less I shall pass you concerns on, and thanks again for caring.

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Just a quick up date;

Lynn has decided to play with the idea of a dog clutch, Her concern being that it takes a little too long for the prop thrust to hold the clutch shut, as the prop spins up to speed. She has had the grand children this weekend, so not much has got done on it! she will send through a sketch of what she has in mind , for general evaluation, which I will post when I get it.

Aj

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello again

Here is a rough sketch of what we have in mind for the dog clutch.(well one half of it any way)

Thoughts please?

(I googled dog clutch, and good a whole lot of pictures of hand bags with dogs on them! lol )

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Amy J

It looks ok to me…….You`ll soon find out

How`s the rest of build getting on?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Amy

A dog clutch is even more difficult to construct / operate than a cone clutch, I would suggest that you use an off the shelf centrifugal clutch as fitted to strimmers, bush cutters ect.

Paul

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