Paddles floats clearances to housing

[mogogear]

New and trying to do searches for answers prior to posting...but I read about trapped water in the housing causing problems if the gap is too small.

Is there a general accepted gap between float tips and sides to the housing that most subscribe to ( rule of thumb) to prevent this situation? 1cm in a ll directions? 2cm??? 5mm???

Thanks

[mogogear]

I was really hoping someone would have a helpful suggestion either to a post withthe information or offer a "estimate"  on this seemingly main stream question.

5 mm?

1cm?

2cm?

Are the sides spaced greater than the float edges in relation to the housing??

Please

[PeeWee]

Trapped water can be an issue, on my paddlers the gap is no more than 5-10mm pending the boat.  a key to stopping this issue is that paddlers have gaps/slots in the side of the housing to alow air in and overspill out.  this should stop water pressure building up within the houseing.

[djcf]

I have enlarged the space where the paddles are, ie the paddle drum does not follow the shape of the vents on the outside, but inside the sponson there is a larger space, (to prevent water clogging), so in effect the paddle will turn in a larger rectangular chamber, but looking from the outside it all looks scale. (( hope!)

Clark

[Talisman]

Hi Greg,
All good advise so far ... Another consideration would be are the wheels feathering or fixed float.
If fixed they will tend to 'shovel' the water up and so a larger clearance at the back might be worth considering.
I don't know that you will get a precise answer to your query as there is a shortage of info regarding your wheels / boat sizes. Perhaps a little more info & a pic or two would help us help you more.
Regards,
Kim

[mogogear]

Brilliant gentlemen......I knew there were good minds running around this place.
 

Thanks!!
  The boat is not built yet and the wheels I am considering are the ones offered by Loyahanna(sp?) or scratch made- I have only made one wheel so far for my stern-wheeler project. I just was trying to work in reverse and get an idea of the wheel+ the wheel cover and it's outer dimensions and then see what the hull length would look like. I didn't want the wheel housings to look like a "fat man in a little coat" nor a "boy in his Dad's coat"- if that description makes sense to you !!

EDITED- Also I will not most likely have any feathering on these wheels and now I know w=one more trait on why feathering is a good thing.I usually focused on the steeper angel when entering the water - not on the exiting benefits

As I am most inexperienced at paddle -Ducks - I just need to chat a bit here and there about what I am guessing are "generally "accepted norms on spacing etc.. - thanks for the discussion.

This is for the tug I am moving towards that will resemble the MSC Dagmar or Brackely

[Barry]

I've heard that people have been having trouble getting the paddlewheel kits from Loyalhanna. If you have any trouble, or would like to get one direct, PM me. I make the kits for them.

[mogogear]

THANKS!!!!! A very kind post -- thanks Barry

[Talisman]

EDITED- Also I will not most likely have any feathering on these wheels and now I know w=one more trait on why feathering is a good thing.I usually focused on the steeper angel when entering the water - not on the exiting benefits

Hi Greg,

I think i know what you mean, i have also wondered about the importance of entry and exit of the blades in a model.
I have attached a pic of a model with a set of my Graupner replacement wheel installed and the exitting blade is ever so slightly offset forcing the water down rather than up towards the box, this in turn puts the forward face in a downwards position which seems to give some lift.... the results ... she gives off a very nice wake and doesn't seem to choke even at slow speed.

[Talisman]

Just as a point of interest ... to those that might be interested .... i have recently been working with a computer whizz kid to run some of my new designs through computer programes to achieve the optimal entry and exit points of the blades in models ... the results have been interesting and not what i expected but forgive me if i dont openly display the results as the experement hasn't been cheap!
Regards,
Kim

[mogogear]

Just as a point of interest ... to those that might be interested .... i have recently been working with a computer whizz kid to run some of my new designs through computer programes to achieve the optimal entry and exit points of the blades in models ... the results have been interesting and not what i expected but forgive me if i dont openly display the results as the experement hasn't been cheap!
Regards,
Kim

Great news....and as far as "never cheap" ---whiz kids rarely are!! Good luck with application of the new information and resulting changes!!

[geoff_p]

Have a look at Ivor Bittle's website, he has some very interesting work and descriptions on it:
http://ivorbittle.co.uk/

This page, on paddlewheels is appropriate:
http://ivorbittle.co.uk/Articles/Paddle%20wheel/The%20paddle%20wheel%20design%20study%20for%20the%20internet.htm

Geoff