PS Columba

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

A fibreglass covered foam hull, leaving most of the foam in would get my vote. As a one off it makes sense and also provides maximum stiffness for the minimum weight.

My fear on something like this project would be a lack of propulsion….only noticeable once you put it in the water…?

Ashley

[Alasdair AllanParticipant @alasdairallan37423]

Thanks Ashley – This method gets my vote too! I have built a couple of working paddlers before (only about two thirds of the size of this one, admitedly) and think I have a plan.  she is so long and thin that a 12 volt motor should hopefuly produce a decent speed, but I will exagerate the depth a little so that I leave draft for a bigger battery and motor if that proves necessary. Will gear down to about 200rpm in the water. But I sense this one will take a long time!

[Alasdair AllanParticipant @alasdairallan37423]

Actually Ashley, while you are there…. I have been looking up everything I can find on utube about fibre glass.  I take it that, if I am using insulation foam, I don’t actually need all the fancy stuff with gel coats and release agents, as am not really trying to release the foam from the hull anyway, just excavating a space in it for the engine compartment?

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