Everglades for poor people

There have been various toy airplanes and helicopters with battery-powered DC propeller motors. I can't remember any brand names, though. Another approach might be a "Thimble Drome" fuel engine, as used in string-controlled and other model planes. (If that mfr still exists.) Various battery-powered personal cooling fans might also work. Fun project, with lotsa love--best of luck!

Hi Tornado

Yeah, I had a look at some of those but they don't seem to have the power I need. I think it would be enough to move a bit of air to cool a person but not to move this contraption. The airplane and helicopters come only as a kit and I would have to remove and disregard all other parts besides it would be too expensive.

Fuel is out of the question. I will have a fight with his mother even with the electric approach but will convince her, as I always do.

Thanks for the suggestions, Ky.

Hello ky, Check out Tower Hobbies This link should take you to the air boats kits. From there you can find any parts you need from motors props to batteries, motor controllers, radio systems. A two or three channel system would most likely all you would need to control direction and speed. Left/right forward "two ch" , left/right forward/reverse "three ch".

Good luck with your project.

Charles

Go to Harbor Freight and buy a 19 volt cordless drill. Then go to a marine supply place that sells MinnKota electric outboard motors. They sell spare plastic props for their small size outboards. Put a long bolt through the center and mount the whole thing in the drill. And remember if you get a drill with multiple speeds start slow or use a lower voltage rechargeable battery from some other cordless tool. You won't have to turn this prop very fast to push that little boat real well.

Test it in a good sized bucket of water (make sure you have a good grip on it) If the motor runs too slow and overheats you can always trim down the diameter of the blades. Trim carefully and evenly to keep it as well balanced as you can. Otherwise it will shake and either break it's mounts on the boat or cause uncomfortable vibrations.

You'll have to get clever to keep water out of the drill motor. Maybe mount it high with a long slanted shaft like they do in Southeast Asia when they mount 4 cylinder car engines on the back of big river canoes.

Be aware that because of the motor State laws may classify this thing as a boat that has to be registered and requires a driver of minimum age and a PFD. A cop would have to be a real hard ass to bust a kid for something like this; but if he gets hurt in any way you could be in for a pile of trouble if the boat is technically illegal.

You might be better figuring out a way for the little guy to turn the prop or maybe a couple of side paddle wheels himself and pass on the electric power.

Ed Weldon

Thanks Ed

I have had concerns about the insurance part of it myself and so would the beloved one. I am surprised that I had not thought of using a drill and I have some props handy, so I could try it a bit later on. They are still part of some fans that have rusted away in this climate here, so, no big loss at all. I can already see a few other bits and pieces being rearranged. The paddle wheel idea was my first thought but it would hinder while riding waves. Attaching a drill and making it snap on/off (removable) would be quiet practical.

Its all early stage and just your suggestion has helped and has proven again what a great place CR4 is.

Thanks again, Ky.

Randall -- GA!! The windscreen motor sounds like a good idea. 12 volts with a gear train that gets the speed down nice and slow. A small rechargeable motorcycle battery would work nicely. It means that a big propellor or paddle wheel is needed; but around kids that sounds like the safe route as long as there are no pinch points that little hands can get into. I like this a lot more than what I suggested.

Ed Weldon

For safety reasons, the fan should not be powerful. It should be a fake one. Going on water is also a real danger for a kid.

Install a small fan with a soft prop and some wheels under to drive down the driveway. You can probably buy a used electric car (kid riding type) from a garage sale and use the drive train. Disguise it with your contraption, et voila!

Have fun, be safe.

Thanks to all, I'm on the case and will send a picture. I will make it duel function and the paddles are already bought by now. Thanks again, Ky.

Hi ky,

I know 'sensible' is sometimes 'boring' but I agree with what marcot said.

On water what happens when the batteries fail? Its got to be used in a real shallow pool to allow the kid to walk in and pick it up I would think?

You say you have the 'paddles', what do you mean by 'paddles', and roughly what size do you want the fan to be? It sounds like some of the electric motor sizes are a little large?

Anyway, heres the good bit!

Air boat construction - prop question - RC Groups3 posts - Last post: 9 Dec 2006Air boat construction - prop question rec.models.rc.water.www.rcgroups.com › ... › rec.models.rc.water - Cached - Similar -

http://www.hobbytron.com/MBP-Air-Buggy-RC electric air boat

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&hs=tPu&num=20&ei=9KEQS92YL4W5jAe0rNzeAw&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAgQBSgA&q=electric+RC+swamp+boat&spell=1

You Tube small electric swamp boat

http://www.webcrawler.com/webcrawler305/ws/results/Web/rc+propellers/1/417/TopNavigation/Relevance/iq=true/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=RC+ELECTRIC+SWAMP+BOAT&search_type=&aq=f

Basic RC Boat Hull DesignVarious rc boat hull designs. With Vee-hull boats, the propeller has a much better chance of staying in the water, whereas a tunnel hull boat has the prop ...www.rc-airplane-world.com/boat-hull-design.html - Cached - Similar -

A lot of the boats below are gas or tetrol powered, but I included them because they are so cool! I WANT ONE!

You Tube super OTT swamp boats!

Links and pics for swamp boat kits, bits, etc.

swamp boat bits and pieces

Romp through the swamp! It looks and handles just like a full-size "Everglades" swamp boat, and is the only R/C model of its kind that's ready to run! The Alligator Tours airboat easily power-slides across water, lily pads, marshes and wetlands, and it's so easy to run and maintain, even a first-time boat modeler will be out skimming across the water with the Alligator Tours airboat practically right out of the box!

Thanks BB, I'm nearly finished, just an hour here and there sort of a thing. I've been sanding high density foam and looks like a white Xmas in the tropics. It's being done in the backyard so no worries. Other wise I would be up Shit-Creek with out a paddle as we say here. A swamp boat it is no more.

Have a good one, Ky.

I

Hi ky,

I also use the same saying!

Keep me in informed as you go please. It would be nice to see what your 'Genius Hat' has designed!

Good luck And happy holiday................

Hi ky,

Wow! I thought you were making a tiny thing not one to ride on! Wicked!

Just one question, Who has volanteered to be chief ballon blower-upper?

Nice one indeed.

Take care

GA to you Sir!

Just one question, Who has volanteered to be chief ballon blower-upper?

Santas compressor does that. He has one in his workshop. I am just his little helper. I will meet up with some kids in half an hour and will send some action shots later, unless it does the Titanic on me.

This was an earlier fit of a beach ball.

See Ya's, Ky.

Hi ky,

you nasty, horrid fellow, pulling my reigns like that! I believed it was capable of carrying 40Kg as well, which makes it 'more worser'! Sorry for the 'red-neck' English!

Still looks good though.

Take care and hope you get all lovely and wet!

Here is one of the kids. He was the oldest but was too young and not strong enough to get a grip on the thing. At least it floats.

Now the paint job, Ky.

Hi ky,

Thank you for your reply post and the extra pic of it in use. Brilliant.

Forgive me, I thought from the way you were holding it in the previous post it as about a foot (~30cm) long!

I was wondering how you were going to recover it when the 'puff' had gone from the beach ball!

Great stuff. When can I collect mine? LOL!

Great stuff. When can I collect mine? LOL!

With your kind of climate you will need the snow board version. It must be awful were you are at the moment. Enjoy your Holidays anyway and all the best, Ky.

Hi ky,

You have made a great job!

Yes, you are right, maybe the "snow board" version would be ideal now........

As we have about 9" (225 mm) of the white stuff at the mo'! Very chilly!

Take care and I hope your 'machine' is enjoyed as well as it looks!

It turned out to be a bit large for for one of the kids. It'll last a while so he'll grow into it. See Ya's, Ky.

Hi ky,

Well done my friend. It not only looks good but it seems to work like a dream as well?

Fancy going into manufacturing? LOL!

Take care............... And happy new year!

Looks great! Thanks for the pictorial update.

Here it is guys. Safety harness and other rope attachments. Safe? I'll find out in a few days. Forgot to put the paddles in but you know what they look like anyway, Ky.