Commuter boat Vamoose

[Peter Smith 24Participant @petersmith24]

prop shaft struts

[Peter Smith 24Participant @petersmith24]

After building two of John Parkers designs I am now working on Vamoose from the 2011 Winter Edition.

I have been reading through the feature to get it my head but when I got to the section about making struts for the tubes I could not get to understand it.

If anyone has built this boat I would be pleased to hear from them if they can enlighten me. I know it's a bit trivial but I just like to understand things.

Peter Smith

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have had a look at the article and I agree it's not altogether clear but basically the idea is to support the ends of the prop tubes to the bottom of the hull.

This can either be done by bending some brass strip around the ends of the tubes and pinching the ends together and then introducing these through a slot in the bottom of the hull and securing them or alternatively splaying out the upper ends and attaching them to the bottom of the hull.

Looking at the plan it would seem that these struts are not essential for strength to support the tubes and I would simply be inclined to fabricate a strut from plywood and epoxy it to the top of the tube at one end and the bottom of the hull at the other, Be careful not to exert any pressure on the tube while doing this though to avoid bending it.

Colin

 

 

Edited By Colin Bishop on 04/08/2018 22:25:28

[Yabbie1Participant @yabbie1]

Hello Peter,

Sorry if this is a little unclear. I in fact did as Colin describes, with a flat strip of thin brass wrapped around the stern tube with the free ends brought together at the top. Then to strengthen the whole thing up and improve the appearance, I slipped a short length of 10mm diameter brass tube that had been almost completely flattened over the free ends of the brass strip and soldered the whole lot up, with the free ends of the brass strip bent outwards for bolting to the hull.

I find with slim-line stern tubes it is better to brace them in this way to avoid flexing and vibration, it may not be needed with thicker 8mm stern tubes. If this is still not clear I could provide a photo or sketch.

Yabbie 1 – John Parker

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Thanks for that John.

When fitting struts as you describe it is also vital not to put any pressure on the tubes otherwise there is a possibility of distorting the driveline.

Colin

[Peter Smith 24Participant @petersmith24]

Thank you for taking the time to explain that, I think I have a clearer picture of the struts now. I have worked most of my life with timber, I am just getting to grips with the metalwork tasks. I suppose the next problem will be to make them both the same.

Thanks again for your help John.

Peter Smith

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