[hpv-boats] human powered yacht?

[Mark Vermilion]

Sam,

I do not know if what we have will work on such a large boat, but  
check out our PlanetDrive and MitrpakDrive on www.marcopoloboats.com.

The PlanetDrive is a gear increaser. Depending on the model, you can  
have increase ratios of 1:5, 1:7, 1:25, and 1:49. They are still in  
the prototype stage, but we could make one available to you if you are  
interested.

The MPB MitrpakDrive is a customized-for-pedaling Mitrpak right angle  
gear box at a 1:2 ratio, like the one Rick Willoughby has started to  
use. We will start selling these in a few weeks as soon as Mitrpak  
completes our order.

I am using a 12x12E model airplane prop (about $7) with the  
PlanetDrive and Mitrpak on a 12' catamaran, and it works great.

Also coming within three months is a flexible cable shaft, which may  
be useful to you if you need to snake a shaft around objects,


Thank  you,

Mark A. Vermilion

Marco Polo Boats, Inc.
Exploring the past and future of small boat design
1911 Smallbrook Drive
Troy, Michigan 48085
USA

Tel & Fax   1-248-434-4187



On Aug 22, 2010, at 7:15 AM, Sam UK wrote:

> Hi All
>
> I have a 22 ft kingfisher yacht http://www.kyoa.org.uk/k20+technical.htm 
>   I
> am interested in powering it partly through human power when I am  
> on  inland
> canals etc.
>
> I will also have a conventional outboard for when I get tired!
>
> I plan to make a Yuloh http://simplicityboats.com/yulohpage2.html  
> which I
> would hope to be able to use for about 2 hours a day. eg
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7MQsdLpWaM
>
> In addition seems to make sense to use your more powerful  leg  
> muscles to
> power the thing. I realize that the boat will not move fast, and  
> that it
> will be hard work.
>
> The boat has an outboard well inside the boat and I am hoping to be  
> able to
> make use of that to install a pedal system.
>
> 1) Has anyone ever fitted a mirage drive to a boat this big? With what
> results?
>
> 2) I am aware of the escargot
> http://www.mission-base.com/pedal-power/pp_escargot_photos.html are  
> there
> any other large pedal powered boats out there?
>
> 3) I have had a browse on these archives, and have seen people  
> making props
> out of model aeroplane propellers, would the prop need to be longer  
> for such
> a heavy boat?
>
> 4) I am thinking of aiming for this kind of set up
> http://www.openwaterbike.com/components/drive-units/mark-drela-drive-system 
>  I
> thought I might start with this cheap gearbox
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=43541&C=Froogle&U=43541&T=Module
> and
> upgrade it later if the boat actually moves under pedal power.
>
> Any comments or suggestions?
>
> Thanks
>
> Sam
> --
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