paddle boat

[Andy HustlerParticipant @andyhustler32076]

i have a turntable set for a model railway and was wondering if i could use it for the propulsion on a tug boat ie " tip staff" as shown in a old edition of MB .I know that normally the paddle wheels would provide steering but i thought a single geared motor and a small rudder would do the trick .Any one got any help or advice

Andy from cardiff

[Andy HustlerParticipant @andyhustler32076]

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Single geared motor and a large rudder. Propellor boats generally rely on the rudder being in the propwash stream, a paddlers rudder just has boat speed. I suspect that the turntable drive might be over geared for the job. Corrections from those who know are welcome, but I think that 120rpm is a generally desirable speed, depending on scale and type.

[Andy HustlerParticipant @andyhustler32076]

Hi malcolm thanks for the reply , the specs on the " motor kit " ,from Expotools code :262-11, the ratios obtainable range from 625rpm to 2.6rpm with input voltage from 1.5volt to 6 volt DC so thats all i know except for a leaflet giving ratios that go over my head

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Andy. Making a paddler then eh?? be bold, make a stern wheeler. Dont follow the crowd and build yet another common kit.

Ashley

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

There aren't many paddler kits for r/c. I think the last one was the Graupner Glasgow.

Anyone know of others available?

Tony

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I think, Cornwall models do something for the Waverley

Bob

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Models by Design list 5 (five) paddle wheel boat kits all suitable for radio control.

Kim

I think steering with the paddles (full size) was banned except for tugs as it introduced serious instability in the vessel, I seem to recall a passenger vessel turning over and sinking with loss of life – maybe someone knows more?

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 06/08/2014 16:58:10

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Kimosubby, that’s correct on all counts. My sidewheeler steers fine with a slightly oversize rudder. Normal paddle speeds are in the range of 100 to 250 rpm for a model.

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

If its https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/Turntable-Motorising-Set-26211.html then it I suspect that the gearbox would not fare well driving a boat. A turntable drive just gets very intermittent use, a boat motor and its gearbox are getting the full strain all the time the boat is moving. You would probably need to discard the worm drive, and maybe one layer of the gears in the gearbox to get the speed right. Whether the motor would have enough power to then work the paddles is another question, as is the question about the gearbox bearings life expectancy with that level of use.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Go on, build one. Ashley

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