Boats normally get around with propellers or water jets for propulsion. Occasionally, they use paddles. [Engineering After Hours] claims he is “changing the boat game forever” with his new 3D printed boat design that uses a tank tread for propulsion instead. Forgive him for the hyperbole of the YouTuber. It’s basically a modified paddle design, but it’s also pretty cool.
The basic idea is simple enough—think “floating snowmobile” and you’re in the ballpark. In the water, the chunky tank track provides forward propulsion with its paddle-like treads. It’s not that much different from a paddle wheel steamer. However, where it diverges is that it’s more flexible than a traditional paddle wheel.
The tracked design is actually pretty good at propelling the boat in shallow water without getting stuck. In fact, it works pretty well on dirt, too! The video covers the basic concept, but it also goes into some detail regarding optimizing the design, too. Getting the float and track geometry right is key to performance, after all.
If you’re looking to build an oddball amphibious craft, maybe working with the snowmobile concept is worth your engineering time.
Or they can also get around using sails, or oars, or(canoe/kayak) paddles…… not everything needs to be motorised, noisy or splashy!
Oars and paddles not splashy? But that’s half the fun….
Be the change you wish to see in the world. In other words, build one and submit it.
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Each Fall a local group holds “grass drags” for snowmobilers.
Snowmobiles, the ultimate all-terrain vehicle!
I immediately thought it looked like a snow machine. They are easily able to cross areas without snow.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hjr9e1HDIgg/TFvVQhFoQUI/AAAAAAAAAzI/U-AA32eKO1c/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/vattenskoter_4.jpg
Wroom
Sonme prior art in a full sized, piloted, motorcycle did https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDi9uFcD7XI . “Pond skimming” motorcycles are even older, but aren’t meant to be truly amphibious beyond short stretches.
No way that propulsion system is “changing the boat system forever”. That’s pure and unfounded hype. See all that water going straight up? That’s all wasted energy.
It’s basically a paddle wheel propulsion . Nothing revolutionary … or efficient … about it.
Maybe not, but it allows it to cross surface level obstacle without damage, such as sticks and seaweed.
Amphibious Excavators have been using this trick since the 1940s.
https://youtu.be/itd2MyLoNFY?si=xLS69NjePffV64zJ&t=111
He needs to go with a two tread design like a tank. Also, the electric motor is actually a bit overpowered, and the balance of the entire system is heavily biased to the rear. Move the weight way up foreword.
The tendency of the front to flip up makes for poor aerodynamics and steering, a rear prop is the way to go on boat propulsion
Daniel Kish is blind and doing echo-location using mouth clicks for at least 10 yers that I know of.
How my comment on human echolocation got here?