The Wish List:
Building Materials:
3/4” (or so) exterior plywood
3/8' exterior plywood
2X3s
2X8X10 treated
Stainless or coated exterior star drive
screws 1 ¼ “ and 2”
1 1/2” foam insulation
3” glass wool insulation
epoxy resin and hardener
3" fiberglass tape
epoxy resin and hardener
3" fiberglass tape
Bird netting (roll)
Exterior Latex paint
Ablative antifouling paint
Portholes
Electronics:
Marine VHF Radio and antenna
48 V DC to 110 AC inverter
Bilge pump (manual)
Bilge pump (12V with float)
100 AH 12v deep cycle batteries
140 tooth 8mm drive cog and chain
Other Boat Stuff
Flares, day/night signal devices
horn
ship's bell
Full sized Futon mattress
Been following your posts for a while and I admire you both for doing it your way. Way back in the early 90's I bought a book that was advertised in Boatbuilder by a gentleman - Norman Schofield "Hydraulic Power for Propelling Small Boats" He built a side wheeler paddle boat and gave detailed instructions on how to size and install a hydraulic system to drive the boats two paddle wheels. Thinking of your plans a side wheeler might be considered as the weight of the wheels won't be hanging on the back but centered. The motor to drive the hydraulic pump could be electric (solar?), diesel (Biodiesel?) or gas (gasogen?). A single hydraulic pump could drive both motors for each wheel - advantages there is steering without a rudder - just speed up or reverse on wheel or the other as you need to. Also the motor/batteries/ pump etc. could be placed anywhere on the boat to even out your load - just run the hydraulic lines to the motors and controls. Side wheeler boats are shorter so mooring fees would be less. The same hydraulic pump can also run your anchor line, air compressor, or set a mooring post. I googled Mr. Schofields name with no luck but I still have the copy of his work. Side note. Build pontoons (Glen-L and others) if you are going to do serious voyaging. Triloboats have a bunch of cheap to build mono hull designs. Upside down rubbermaid containers are not the place to save money. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteActually the new build will probably have a barge hull similar to the one Triloboats uses. We go back and forth on the side vs stern wheel thing. Side wheels are more manuverable and lighter, but they're also more complex and make docking more of a challenge. We'll have to see as the design evolves.
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