[hpv-boats] Auxilliary pedal power

[Roger Boden]

I am a sailor and a cyclist.  I'm in the process of buying a 20ft mini-cruiser (for details see http://www.britishhunter.co.uk/page2.html) and I'm hoping, in my imminent retirement, to sail through Europe on its great network of waterways. The boat will have an outboard, but I'd love to be able to propel it using a bicycle - for example on days when there's no wind, or if I have a stretch of narrow water where I have to battle a headwind.

Ideally, I would use my road bike, mounted in the cockpit on a stand fore and aft, with a chain on the rear-wheel cog to drive a cog on the stern of the boat, which in turn drives an outboard-style propeller.  Any suggestions as to where I might get hold of the bike-powered outboard kit would be much appreciated.

Roger Boden