Why I'm choosing paddlewheel propulsion

[diamondbacklandbaron]

My name is Rob and I live just outside of Houston, Texas. I joined paddleducks to learn more about paddle wheels for a project I have in my head. Contrary to ordinary thinking, I've got the plan to propel an old 16ft ski/fishing boat with a paddle wheel. As I was explaining it to an relative of mine, he said it was the dumbest idea he'd ever heard.  He said I should just go buy a new outboard like everyone else does and forget trying to reinvent propulsion. I knew right there I was on to something! I've found that often, the crowd is moving in the wrong direction and just plain wrong to begin with.

Well, I don't have the extra cash to buy a fancy pants outboard engine. I have an old Mercury 115hp but it's currently not wanting to start, as is generally the case with every outboard I've ever owned when I've had it long enough. I'm through with outboards, at least until I win the lottery. Now I'm thinking, what would they do on Junkyard Wars?

Briefly, my plan is to build a 4'X5' floatation box to bolt to the stern of my donor boat. On each side will be a paddlewheel . The power plant will be an 18.5hp riding mower I already own. It will give me 5 forward and a reverse gear. Of course, I'll remove the mower deck and other useless parts first, but I think this Frankenboat will give me plenty of usable speed if I gear it properly. If nothing else, everyone can have a good chuckle.

I've really enjoyed this site so far. Even though it's mostly for model paddlewheel boats, the concepts should be the same for larger boats. Thanks for all the great info and pictures.

[Red_Hamish]

Hello Rob, welcome to the forum. You've found the foremost site for paddlers  in the world which doesn't just concentrate on models but also has a good few threads on full sized pleasure vessels too. Have alook around and stay a while. If you need access to some ideas from the donlaods just shout. I'm intrigued by Frankenboat concept and look forward to seeing it progress.

cheers

Jim

[Tug--Kenny]

Welcome Rob.


It's thoughts like these that keeps the world turning. Quite a challenge you've set yourself, but very interesting.

By doing it yourself (scrapheap challenge sort of way) you will be facing this challenge of Paddle construction and also learning what our grandfathers found out.

We should be very interested in a build 'Blog' if you want to do one on here. I know that I shall be interested, as I might fit paddles to a 'Springer tug'.  ( for the low rev power-- you understand  )

All the best

ken

[diamondbacklandbaron]

I'm trying to find time to actually get working on building Frankenboat, my paddle wheel boat. I just want to get on the water to go fishing soon! Unfortunately, my wife won't let me start my next project, the paddle wheel boat, no matter how excited I am about it, until I finish the last project. I'm about a full weekend away from finishing a home built travel trailer. In the mean time, I'm daydreaming and researching how to make paddlewheels work for me.

It seems to me that paddlewheels did not become obsolete because they did not work. It looks like military ships went to screw props to end the worry of a direct hit damaging the wheel, leaving the ship dead in the water. Plus, with the invention of higher power diesel engines, the screw prop came into it's own. If I recall, Fulton rejected the screw prop.

Using a paddle wheel to push my boat is just another alternative option for me. I've found that whenever I go alternative, my life gets better. Really, I do alternative medicine, my kids go to an alternative school, in my exterminating company I do alternative pest control, I run my diesel truck on vegetable oil, I use solar for my hot water,.... a paddle wheel is perfect for me!

Let's see how it comes together before we start putting my blog up. I'll be sure to get pistures of the process and some sketches of my design as time allows.

[Red_Hamish]

Hello again Rob, sounds like an interesting alternative approach to life. Well done sir for continuing with it to the extreme motive power of a paddlewheel. The question is how do you intend to get the power transmitted to it? Keep the thinking cap on 

cheers

Jim

[diamondbacklandbaron]

I'm choosing a riding mower for my power since it already has a forward and reverse to the rear wheels. I'll remove the tires, weld on a toothy gear to both rims and chain drive them to the paddle wheels. In 5Th gear, this mower will cruise about 9mph. I'm hoping to get 18-20mph out of a 4ft diameter paddle wheel.

Now, that might be wishful thinking but a man has to have a goal. If the old 300ft long steamboats  could muster 25mph, I figure 18-20 should be fairly easy to achieve. Since I'll actually be adding length to the boat, the rudders will be placed at the very end behind the paddles.

I am also thinking that I can use the driveshaft that was used to operate the mower deck  to power an alternator to provide plenty of electricity to charge a bank of batteries on board. I am wondering if it would be possible to install electric water pumps in front to use as side thrusters. Any way you look at it, the extra electricity would be good for the on board margarita machine.

[diamondbacklandbaron]

After seeing the center mounted single paddlewheel design, I may modify my idea and go with one big paddlewheel. I could easily build this instead and it might actually be a better design for my fishing boat.

That's the trouble with these websites. I sit down to enjoy a little Kentucky bourbon and study up on paddlewheel boats and ended up getting another idea. I may have to build several paddlewheel boats. I might even build one of those little paddlewheel boat models you guys are so hooked on.
Thanks for the great info here,
Rob

Onward thru the fog!