JEM Watercraft

I been thinking about a water bike boat for a while now. Kind of like the Hydro Bike. I was thinking of useing a bike frame on a catamaran with a paddle wheel assembly on the back for power. My Questions.

Would two 12' long 12" beam 12" deep hulls give enough boyancy for 400 lb. or so of total weight? (bike and rider)

Beam at less than 4' total?

Is a mult-chine hull faster than a flat bottom progue style hull?

Have you ever seen any efficient paddle wheel assemblies?

Getting your desired displacment and the shape of the pontoons ties together.

The closer you get to a round shape on the hull, the faster it will be. But a round shape will draft more water than a flat bottom of the same size.

I haven't seen many examples of a paddle wheel. I remember seeing one somewhere. I'll try and find it.

Here's something to look at:

http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=RowBoats/PedalCat

Pedal Cat hmmm, Hard to resist a pretty girl in a bathing suit with her hand on an Evenrude, but I was thinking of a design about 50 years newer.

Hey Chuck,

Didn't you have some pedal boats plans somewhere?

This might be of interest.............

http://www.dngoodchild.com/load_small.htm Click on the fun boats section.
Here are two you might want to look at.
The Jitterbug , a water bicycle.
Fun at the beach with a water bicycle......... If you want a paddle wheel then look at the SHOWBOAT A 16.5 FT BICYCLE POWERED RIVER BOAT ... Same section......Fun Boats.

Chuck.

Thanks for the links Chuck, But getting back to the subject. Draft is not a big problem as any kind if propulsion mechanism woul get me at least a foot down in the water. So would a six panel hull be faster than a five panel hull? Is an a-symmetrical hull faster than a symmetrical hull. Would two 12' long by 12" beam hulls give enough bouyancy?

Speed and displacement depends on the shape of the 6 panel or 5 panel hull. You could make either work by tweaking the shape.

Now if you're willing to accept a 12" draft, then absolutely no problem get 400 pound capacity.

Sorry I can't you a more specific answer.

You might be interested in this thread.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10802