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This boat, being a twin-prop, posed a problem when it came to winding them both up. So I used gears (from a broken printer) to wind both at the same time. Friction is the biggest theif of power when it comes to rubberband-powered boats…apparently. So I incorporated bearings. Bearings are great! The drive shafts are made of fiberglass rods (stolen from an umbrella frame). The casing for the shafts are Bic pen tubes. FYI, the key to making this boat propel for a considerable amount of time (about :45 seconds) is the size and shape of the props. These showed here are a bit too small, but they are as large as can be, without scraping the hull and each other. I will definitely make another boat that allows for more clearance, allowing larger fins on the props. Please excuse the ugly fiberglass job…it is my first time using fiberglass. Might I add…fiberglass is AWESOME!! I hope this sparks some creativity to those whom see this project! Thanks for looking.
-Rick

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8 Posts
Awesome. Great idea the movement. Make a good job on these helices.
 

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Rick, I admire your creativity and ingenuity. I love inventing and creating toys. It's a great prototype. Hope to see others with the bugs worked out.
 

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104 Posts
I am definitely awaiting V2 of this! Great idea and I love the fact that you use common parts.
 

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328 Posts
could you add 2 more blades to each propeller to increase the surface area, instead of larger blades? the wooden part of the shaft seems long enough.
 

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1,491 Posts
Alright Rick, that's it, you're just having TOO MUCH FUN!

Back into the shop to do some dull, boring, grownup projects, maybe even a cutting board…

Great work!

Keep having fun!

Be Careful!

Herb
 

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Thanks, guys! In reference to the blades; 4 would definitely move more water, while being able to keep the blades smaller. I'm really trying to maximize the amount of time that the boat is being propelled. As soon as I get home from work today I am going to make 4 more blades. Thanks, Junior.
 
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