Re: [bolger] Paddlewheels
This is way off-Bolger, but there's a guy here with a homebuilt 18- foot
planing paddlewheel garvey. It has the complete drivetrain of an '80's
Toyota, about 1600 cc. with transmission, rear axle, and steel wheels with
paddles welded on. It has twin rudders of shallow depth. The boat is
heavily built, and attains 20+ knots. I have only had one ride, but my
impression is of a very awkward way to power a fast boat - much churning and
sloshing at low speed, huge roostertail at high speed, no apparent practical
purpose.
The paddlewheel concept seems a lot more comfortable at low. stately rpm,
moving a displacement scow with some style...
Don Hodges
planing paddlewheel garvey. It has the complete drivetrain of an '80's
Toyota, about 1600 cc. with transmission, rear axle, and steel wheels with
paddles welded on. It has twin rudders of shallow depth. The boat is
heavily built, and attains 20+ knots. I have only had one ride, but my
impression is of a very awkward way to power a fast boat - much churning and
sloshing at low speed, huge roostertail at high speed, no apparent practical
purpose.
The paddlewheel concept seems a lot more comfortable at low. stately rpm,
moving a displacement scow with some style...
Don Hodges
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Butterfield <rbutterfield@...>
To: <bolger@egroups.com>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 2:25 PM
Subject: [bolger] Paddlewheels
> In Boats With an Open Mind, there is an article on the Fast
> Sternwheeler. In the article, Phil mentions that he's not actually
> done a paddle wheel like this, and a "proof of concept" ought to be
> done first. He suggests using an engine from a wrecked motorcycle in
> a jon boat.
>
> This has been an intriguing concept to me, but of only academic
> interest. Until just recently, that is, when I received an abandoned
> motorcycle, with only 14,000 miles on it's water-cooled, 600cc engine.
>
> So, my intent is to build a Skimmer for the hull, doubling the bottom
> and adding an extra skid. The engine is approximately the same
> weight (100-110 lbs.) as the 10-15 hp outboard recommended. The
> sealed paddle wheel will hopefully add a bit of reserve buoyancy, if
> needed.
>
> Where I'm coming up empty, however, is the wheel, paddles, & rudder
> (s).
>
> I'm looking at a 12" wheel, for space considerations. I can
> calculate the gearing needed for that, and the transmission (integral
> to the engine) will allow me a wide range of on-the-water
> adjustability. I can only guess at the number & size of the blades,
> however. Can anyone give me some calculations to compare the blades'
> area to a propeller, and what kind of area is needed to transfer a
> given amount of power?
>
> Also, I'm a bit concerned about the relationship between the bottom
> of the wheel & the bottom of the boat, especially since it is
> supposed to rise up on the 1-1/2" tall skids underway. This, I think
> I'll just have to guess at, and build in an adjustment that can be
> played with on the water.
>
> The Fast Sternwheeler cartoon shows a multiple rudder arrangement.
> I'm a bit concerned about control with such a small immersion for the
> rudder, and the chance of tearing them off if they project down
> significantly below the hull. Also, I would like to have some kind
> of idea about the forces involved in the rudders, as they will have
> to be hanging off the end of a (relatively) long extension from the
> back of the hull.
>
> If anyone has any actual experience with the paddle wheel, please
> allow me to benefit from that.
>
> Also, if this has been done already, and been proven to not work,
> please save me from myself ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Ron Butterfield
>
>
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From: "Ron Butterfield" <rbutterfield@...>
Make the wheel mounts so you add shims to lower the wheel into the water.
The rooster tail should be impressive.
You might be able to do some steering at speed with a spoiler than came
down in from of one side of the wheel and caused that side of the wheel to
cavitate. I would include a trolling motor to use as a bow thruster for
close manurving.
Good luck
Gordon
Gordon Cougergcouger@...
Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
405 624-2855 GMT -6:00
> In Boats With an Open Mind, there is an article on the Fast===============
> Sternwheeler. In the article, Phil mentions that he's not actually
> done a paddle wheel like this, and a "proof of concept" ought to be
> done first. He suggests using an engine from a wrecked motorcycle in
> a jon boat.
>
> This has been an intriguing concept to me, but of only academic
> interest. Until just recently, that is, when I received an abandoned
> motorcycle, with only 14,000 miles on it's water-cooled, 600cc engine.
>
> So, my intent is to build a Skimmer for the hull, doubling the bottom
> and adding an extra skid. The engine is approximately the same
> weight (100-110 lbs.) as the 10-15 hp outboard recommended. The
> sealed paddle wheel will hopefully add a bit of reserve buoyancy, if
> needed.
>
> Where I'm coming up empty, however, is the wheel, paddles, & rudder
> (s).
>
> I'm looking at a 12" wheel, for space considerations. I can
> calculate the gearing needed for that, and the transmission (integral
> to the engine) will allow me a wide range of on-the-water
> adjustability. I can only guess at the number & size of the blades,
> however. Can anyone give me some calculations to compare the blades'
> area to a propeller, and what kind of area is needed to transfer a
> given amount of power?
>
> Also, I'm a bit concerned about the relationship between the bottom
> of the wheel & the bottom of the boat, especially since it is
> supposed to rise up on the 1-1/2" tall skids underway. This, I think
> I'll just have to guess at, and build in an adjustment that can be
> played with on the water.
Make the wheel mounts so you add shims to lower the wheel into the water.
>If I remember right the rudders are in front as well as behind the wheel.
> The Fast Sternwheeler cartoon shows a multiple rudder arrangement.
> I'm a bit concerned about control with such a small immersion for the
> rudder, and the chance of tearing them off if they project down
> significantly below the hull. Also, I would like to have some kind
> of idea about the forces involved in the rudders, as they will have
> to be hanging off the end of a (relatively) long extension from the
> back of the hull.
>
> If anyone has any actual experience with the paddle wheel, please
> allow me to benefit from that.
>
> Also, if this has been done already, and been proven to not work,
> please save me from myself ;-)
>
The rooster tail should be impressive.
You might be able to do some steering at speed with a spoiler than came
down in from of one side of the wheel and caused that side of the wheel to
cavitate. I would include a trolling motor to use as a bow thruster for
close manurving.
Good luck
Gordon
Gordon Cougergcouger@...
Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
405 624-2855 GMT -6:00