A new video of the Otunui Paddleboat on YouTube

[otunui]

Here's a video of the Otunui on Lake Whakamaru, Central North Island, New Zealand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frxNwHWHTVw

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's.....Peter....does Otunui have tank steering? ...as she seems to near turn in her own length.........Derek

[otunui]

Hi Derek, yes she does. Variable capacity hydraulic pump on each end of the engine driving a radial hydraulic motor on each paddle wheel. Well spotted .

Peter

[otunui]

I should say, she also has hydraulic steering on shallow twin rudders on the rear. The tank steer is great for docking, rudders keep her in a straight ish line while under way.

P

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hullo Peter........I went through your WEB site .......yes you must have some proportional hydraulic control there  .......& spelt with a C & not a K
Can you lock or eliminate load sensing function between each paddle when motoring on a straight line course?..........I hope the system is quiet    .......after 40+ years on hydraulic systems ....quietness in an application such as this is paramount 
I wish you well in this venture project [& plenty of paying customers for years to come]  ..........Derek

[otunui]

Hi Derek,

The pumps on there failed 15+ times last year. I'd strip them down, lap them in and they'd run for 2 months, 2 days or 2 hours. I finally bit the bullet and replace them with new. Cheaper than the parts to rebuild to 60 year old ones.

The new pumps are twice as quiet, and give the same speed at 1/2 the revs. They're also much easier to move in and out of gear with hydraulic servos on the fwd-rev lever. Win-Win.

Peter

[Harold H. Duncan]

Tis a pity they didn't add a false keel or skeg when they removed the prop and plated over the tunnel.
Will get down one weekend soon
cheers
kiwi

[otunui]

Tis a pity they didn't add a false keel or skeg when they removed the prop and plated over the tunnel.

Actually I kind of like that she spins on the spot easily, but yeah she needs constant attention and will neer stay straight for long.

P.

[Roderick Smith]

I went through the whole lot, and passed the links to the facebook group Boats Down Under BDU (https://www.facebook.com/groups/269530219856558).
I observed the twin hydraulic-control steering in one quick scene.
I have steered two ferries which used the system.  On one, I was steering on the straight section; it wasn't tricky.  Of course the master did the docking.
The other was a tourist vessel, and wheel control as well.  The captain was inviting all of the people with birthdays to take the wheel and be photographed.
In other ferries, the master holds the wheel too.  Here he stood back, and his passengers felt like real heroes.  In reality, he was steering the vessel the whole time using the twin hydraulic controls.
On another occasion I was in the wheelhouse of a paddleboat with independent control.  It came into a lock with one paddle feathered.  When it was time to leave, the boat curved sideways into the lock wall: the paddle was still feathered.
In Albury, PS Cumberoona has twin engines.  I suspect independent control.  My memory is that it is regarded as tricky to handle, but that could be just as much from the fierce currents in that reach.

In the selection of Otunui photos, I could find only one interior view.  Does the engine sit under the rear deck?  Is the only access to the front deck down via the saloon, then up again?  Is that one toilet or two: rear deck against the bulkhead to the saloon?

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[otunui]

Yes the hyd 'steering' is just like a digger/tank putting one track forward and the other back,
or slowing one paddle to drag the bow in that direction. But I only use that drag to force the bow around at low speed, it puts the boat into a sideways drift.

Otunui's paddle blades are mechanically angled to dig into the water and release (eccentric center for the blade angle control rods) very efficient and quieter.

The front locker access is via a hatch on the deck.

But yes passengers have to walk through the salon (past the bar !). I can walk across the roof and down to the front deck.

Engine is under rear deck in front of funnel crossways.

Toilet (1) is now outside behind port paddlewheel. White cubicle. We pulled out the internal toilets as too small, and then doubled the galley size.

A couple of interior photos taken last year, new carpet and paint since.

Cheers,

Peter

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Peter,
like what you've done with her, much better layout.
The photos I posted are at least 5 maybe 6 or more, years ago, to show the hull.
They where taken at Thames, in the Coromandel.
Must come down before Christmas sometime.
cheers
kiwi