JJ

28/05/2005 6:45 PM

Need Input On A Proposed Project

I've been wanting to make a steamboat from some time now, a
sidewheeler. But, figure I would pretty much have to make my own
trailer, or customize an existing one. Then there's the problem of
getting it on and off the trailer. Then ran across this site.
Something along those lines look like it would solve several problems
nicely.
http://www.robotoys.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1227&p_catid=36

But, seeing as scientists have been trying to solve that same
problem with a viable solution for years, didn't really know how I could
come up with something that would work. Until I ran across this site.
I think this would solve my problem nicely.
http://www.mines.edu/Outreach/Cont_Ed/courses/robo/media/building/6leg.htm

Whatcha think?



JOAT
Failure is ALWAYS an option.
- JOAT


This topic has 6 replies

bR

[email protected] (Robert Bonomi)

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 28/05/2005 6:45 PM

30/05/2005 1:22 PM

In article <[email protected]>,
J T <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've been wanting to make a steamboat from some time now, a
>sidewheeler. But, figure I would pretty much have to make my own
>trailer, or customize an existing one. Then there's the problem of
>getting it on and off the trailer.

Trailering is really not all that much of a problem.

paddlewheels do not go all that far below the waterline.

With a conventional 'Deep V' hull shape, I can't see why you'd need
any trailer mods.

On and off would be just like with any other craft. back the trailer
down the ramp till she's roughly afloat, and push. Or winch in.

Now, if you're trying to build a replica of a historical 'flat bottom
barge' type, then the need for non-standard trailer capabilities does
arise. But, even then, on/off is no more of an issue than with standard
trailer designs. you have supports that allow front/back motion *only*,
and something to snub it up against, so it doesn't move when you don't
want it to.

The issues _are_ relatively minor. go for it!

JJ

in reply to [email protected] (Robert Bonomi) on 30/05/2005 1:22 PM

30/05/2005 10:33 PM

Mon, May 30, 2005, 1:22pm (EDT+4) [email protected]
(Robert=A0Bonomi)
Trailering is really not all that much of a problem. <snip>

I'm not worrying about the trailering aspect. But, I think it
would be very satisfying to have a boat that would be a bit out of the
ordinary (i.e., a steamboat), that would then be able to walk off of the
trailer, walk to the water, and walk in, thereby launching itself. Then
when the boating day is done, it would walk "out" of the water, to the
trailer, then on the trailer, all on its own. Just think of the labor
that would save. This could revolutionize boating as we know it.



JOAT
Viet Nam. Divorce. Cancer. Been there, done that, got over it. Life
is basically good.

JM

John McCoy

in reply to [email protected] (Robert Bonomi) on 30/05/2005 1:22 PM

31/05/2005 6:29 PM

[email protected] (J T) wrote in news:12835-429BCCE6-2@storefull-
3116.bay.webtv.net:

> I'm not worrying about the trailering aspect. But, I think it
> would be very satisfying to have a boat that would be a bit out of the
> ordinary (i.e., a steamboat), that would then be able to walk off of the
> trailer, walk to the water, and walk in, thereby launching itself. Then
> when the boating day is done, it would walk "out" of the water, to the
> trailer, then on the trailer, all on its own. Just think of the labor
> that would save. This could revolutionize boating as we know it.

Hum. I think you've just re-invented the Oruktor Amphibolos (*).
That wasn't exactly a success for Oliver Evans, it's not likely to
be much more of a success now.

(* I figure you can Google for it :-)

John

JJ

in reply to John McCoy on 31/05/2005 6:29 PM

01/06/2005 12:39 AM

Tue, May 31, 2005, 6:29pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (John=A0McCoy)
spoked:
Hum. I think you've just re-invented the Oruktor Amphibolos (*). That
wasn't exactly a success for Oliver Evans, it's not likely to be much
more of a success now.
(* I figure you can Google for it :-)

Nah, I already know what that is, and if I just wanted to wimp out
and have something with wheels I'd make one of those amphibious
thingies, or put floatation on a Jeep, or some honking big tires on one,
so it'd float. I want a boat, something vaguely along these lines,
except powered by a small steam engine, or two.
http://www.instantboats.com/madeline.htm And then, fitted with feet,
something along these lines.
http://www.robotoys.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=3D1227&p_catid=3D36 Wouldn'=
t
need to be fast, just able to move on it's own power, on and off the
trailer, and to launch, and unlaunch itself. That way I could use a
flatbed trailer, and store the boat somewhere, while I used the trailer
for other duties. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.



JOAT
Viet Nam. Divorce. Cancer. Been there, done that, got over it. Life
is basically good.

DJ

"Dave Jackson"

in reply to [email protected] (J T) on 28/05/2005 6:45 PM

29/05/2005 12:29 AM

Well JT, My suggestion is you forget the steam power and incorporate the
turbo charged small block that was for the Luv truck (that is if you found
another turbo unit) and make a double side wheeler. Then fabricate a long
narrow *tilting* trailer that you could drive the thing onto. I guess the
trailer would need a pretty high lift kit, and maybe some 44" super swampers
to keep the side wheels from dragging the ground when transporting.
The double side wheels could make the thing operate like a bob cat (skid
steer - one full reverse, one full forward to turn the thing), and you could
get a narrowed Ford 9" rear end to mount the side wheels to (maybe the
first pro stock steamer?)
Don't forget to put the *chrome* headers on upside down, like the ones I
see on all the race boats out on the lake, that'd just be way cool on a
steam boat! --dave


"J T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been wanting to make a steamboat from some time now, a
> sidewheeler. But, figure I would pretty much have to make my own
> trailer, or customize an existing one. Then there's the problem of
> getting it on and off the trailer. Then ran across this site.
> Something along those lines look like it would solve several problems
> nicely.
> http://www.robotoys.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1227&p_catid=36
>
> But, seeing as scientists have been trying to solve that same
> problem with a viable solution for years, didn't really know how I could
> come up with something that would work. Until I ran across this site.
> I think this would solve my problem nicely.
> http://www.mines.edu/Outreach/Cont_Ed/courses/robo/media/building/6leg.htm
>
> Whatcha think?
>
>
>
> JOAT
> Failure is ALWAYS an option.
> - JOAT
>

JJ

in reply to "Dave Jackson" on 29/05/2005 12:29 AM

29/05/2005 1:50 PM

Sun, May 29, 2005, 12:29am (EDT+4) [email protected] (Dave=A0Jackson) came
up with:
Well JT, My suggestion is you forget the steam power and incorporate the
turbo charged small block that was for the Luv truck (that is if you
found another turbo unit) and make a double side wheeler. <snip>

Hmm, been sniffing that funny sawdust again, eh? Not being powered
by steam pretty well makes it not a steam boat, doesn't it. The turbos
were/are not scheduled for the Luv - and I'm still looking for another.
If I just wanted a strict side wheeler that could travel on land, I'd
just make an Alligator, and be done with it. Probably could just use
grasshopper poles, but those sound suspiciously like a lot of work to
use. The thought of a side wheel steam boat actually being able to
walk has a certain appeal.



JOAT
Viet Nam. Divorce. Cancer. Been there, done that, got over it.


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