Human Powered Propeller Query

[Sprky]

Re: Human Powered Propeller Query

My take................

The drag from the running gear in the water is substantially greater than that of your target.

Some thoughts........ fewer contact points with the water, More efficient smaller foils for less drag. Lighter craft (light is might).

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Human Powered Propeller Query

Beat this.

Why not a long slick design that is not designed to plane; just smooth entry and exit minimizing hull drag. Catamaran a great application. The speeds you are talking about are right at planing speed for a lot of boats anyway. Those competitive racing boats you see at the Ivy League Schools back east run them and really get them going; no idea as to their top speed. I know they are powered by a lot of rowers, but you should be able to glean a lot of info about hull design for minimum drag at low speeds from them. Surely the designers of the boats have studied hull performance with minimum engine (human) power.

Using an airborne propeller isn't as efficient as a water born prop, but you rid yourself of a lot of drag. You would have to do a trade-off study on that. Making the prop out of composite plastic would keep the weight down and an aluminum tubing frame could be made very strong yet light weight.

Just some thoughts,

Mark

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Human Powered Propeller Query

Well, I guess these guys got their question answered and disappeared back to the drawing board.

Mark