Cost nothing boats?

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Hi Paul,

I guess that there is something not quite right with the paddle wheels?, should I drill holes through the wheel sides,or???.

The wind has been dreadful,closing the Port of Dover thus putting Operation Stack on the M20 and using it as a lorry park!,luckily I am off until fri night.

Circa 195#  eh,did you get a Coronation school souvenir?

Len.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Len

No that was well before my time….I was 10 when Buzz took the 2nd step

Paul

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Hi Paul,

So about the impellors/paddlewheels?

Len

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Motor fitted also pulleys and belt, had a test run in dry dock and it worked ok.

                                      

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Len

The paddle blades being full width and full length (like big wide spokes) will pick up water and carry it the full circle of the paddle wheel, just like a water wheel, the problem is compounded by fitting the two side disks, these in combination with the blades have become buckets and will hold more water as the paddle wheel turns.

The paddle blade should only be solid where it is intended to push the boat i.e. the bit of the blade that actually goes into the water.

Have a look at the big american river paddle boats and you will see what I mean.

I hope this helps

Paul

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Hi Paul,

I thought that before I altered things I would try it out,so switched it on and was pleased to see it head for the other side of the pond,when it got midway some cargo must have moved down in the hold and a list developed causing it to turn in circles and I had to rescue it with a net.

More things to do!

Len.

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Deck and wheelboxes added.

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

I have fitted outriggers and fitted a rudder to the Cost nothing Paddle boat.

A couple of photos on my Gallery.

Len.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Len

Very nice outrigger and I do like the oversized rudder but does it all work?

Paul

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Hi Paul,

All exept the rudder as it is not in the wash from the paddles,so I may fit a rudder in each of the paddles washes.

Len.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Len

If you put them up close to the rear of the paddles then you should get a better turning circle but don’t forget to allow from the thrust from your twin jet motors (that at the moment work backwards)

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Len

My scrap boat design is coming along just fine I am just working out the cutting list and which materials I hope to use, basically juice cartons like you have used and a polystyrene ceiling tile to hold them together. My paddle wheel will be 50mm dia x 100mm wide and consist of 9 blades.

I have even laid my hands upon a set of meccano gears so that I can set the drive to 6:1 (they are scrap so I hope that they are ok to use)

Let me know if the gears are ok to use.

Paul

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Hi Paul,

I checked back on the forum to see what rules I had set and I have not banned gears.

See also  "Blue Foam" thread.

Regards.

Len.

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

[Author]

Posts