[CovaConcepts], who has a background in motorsports, has been busy designing an unconventional radio-controlled watercraft she calls the HydraJet.
There are two key design decisions that make the HydraJet what it is. First, she chose to propel the boat by pushing against the air via an electric ducted fan (EDF) rather than the water via a traditional water propeller. This simplified construction and made it more affordable, partly because she already had the fan on hand.
Her other design choice was to use wings underneath the boat to lift it out of the water. Not as hydrofoils, where the wings ride below the surface of the water, but for hydroplaning where the wings ride on the surface of the water. Lifting the vehicle out of the water, of course, reduces drag, improving performance as we’ve often seen with high speed watercraft (including RC models) as well as slower bicycle-powered ones. The choice to rely on hydroplaning also reduces the complexity of the design. Certain hydrofoil designs need to make adjustments in order to keep the vehicle at a steady level, whereas a hydroplaning wings can use a static angle. Hydrofoils also must overcome challenges to maintain stability.
[CovaConcepts] hopes to eventually scale the HydraJet up large enough to carry human passengers and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to take it for a spin around the lake.
Thanks to [John Little] for the tip!
This is brilliant! Would love to know:
Mass of boat
top speed
wattage at top speed
Very nice job, looks wicked. Lots of thought and work went into this, I am impressed.
She got beaten up for all kinds of petty things, I am guessing by folks that never built much and certainly nothing like this project.
I like the slick design
Looks like a design straight out of a Romulan style guide. Looks great :-)
But I seriously wonder about the efficacy of using a ducted fan for this application: It’s wasting a huge amount of power in the speed (kinetic energy) of the air jet. It would be interesting to compare the wattage used by this compared to the wattage needed by a conventional water prop to maintain the same speed.
Thats what I was just thinking. How is it more efficient to push against air vs pushing against water. Turbine powered hydroplane race boats still drive propellors.
Because KISS.
She’s going to reinvent the Rusky ground effect craft…Name escapes me.
Going fast on water is dangerous and uncomfortable.
Over water is better.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-effect_vehicle
Ekranoplan.
I would say it is more from Andromeda sf tv series. But then the Romulan warbird has flatter “connector beams”, so it is somewhere in the middle I guess.
“… because efficiency and performance really didn’t factor into my decision at all.”
Very exciting build!
I watched her videos with amazement. It might not be the fastest or most powerful one, but the design is super epic. Especially when she was showing the older designs she discarded. Was a joy to watch and I am looking forward to see what she will be up to in the future.
Should build movie props that design looks rad AF. Also good job on video showing the boat blasting around right up front
Now that is a well evolved design! That engineer has a lot of promise.
To take a dream /idea and not only find it but also manufacture, test, improve it on her own is astounding to say the least❗️She is a very talented lady and I would suspect she will go far. Best of luck and wishes to her👍
Great boat design and execution. It is not going to win on speed nor efficiency, and I love that this is acknowledged as a non-goal. Still, this looks unique and futuristic.
Kudos for the manufacturing technique. The carbon fiber manufacturing must be a mess though. This many free form parts? I would have expected a mix of some 3d prints with coating and maybe even some foam? Carbon fiber only where absolutely needed – but may a boat is also critical on weight these days?
I am extremely impressed. She has done more than most. Most of the commenter’s here buy everything the have, she built hers from an idea in her head. Quit being armchair cowboys about speed, engine, wattage, design. Just stop, her design is AMAZING I’d gladly add my name to her waiting list if only to help her move forward with her designs. BRAVO young lady, you have a VERY BRIGHT future. Keep up the fantastic work you’re doing.
Pretty sweet plus futuristic look.
I like the “Broke student” part; 3D printer, full workshop, carbon, … LOL
I really like the approche, but form my (simple) point a view, hydrofoils are the only safe way.
On and over the water, it will never be stable and safe on high speed.
I also think that she needs to work on the turbulence behind the boat.
Overall, I am impressed by her work.