JAnimis Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Last year I helped a Middle School club build a SOF boat (Matilda) for the Northern California Solar Regatta. They won "Best Design" and did very well in the races. Their performance, an the performance of the boat convinced me that SOF is the way to go for this race, so we are building a new one this year. The method of construction allows11-13 yr. olds to build pretty much any hull shape they want in a few months is amazing. We are going to try to take it to extremes this year with carbon sandwich panel frames and carbon tube stringers to see if we can get our 20' boat down to around 10 lbs (and we have a few other ideas from the Skunk Works). We've launched an Indiegogo campaign to try to raise funds for materials. If you would like to help, spread the word. Thanks. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ldv-dolphin-yacht-club-solar-boat/x/9123674 P.S. This is a great educational program for these kids or I wouldn't even consider posting something like this here. I hope I'm not out of line and please remove this post if I am. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 I have seen photos of the boat and the event. Since it is not for profit I have no problem with it. Just ask you keep us updated with the progress of the boat and not just pop in and ask for money and leave. This is something that a lot of people will have an interest in. I love the idea of keeping the weight down and hope you make your goal! Just keep in mind that hull shape will make bigger gains in speed. Resistance in the water is what slows you down and weight savings yeild minimal increases. Hull shape and hydrodynamics is where you will the most gains the most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAnimis Posted November 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I'll keep you updated. I'm sure I'll have some questions for the forum as we proceed. We do have a new hull design this year. The Matilda is great, but it turns out to be way more stable than we need. Since we have an electric motor, the pilot doesn't have to move around much so we are going very narrow - more like a racing skull or surfski. Though we are going with a wide flat stern because we think we might get enough speed to plane a bit (if our calculations are right, we are just short of having enough power for a hydrofoil). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Matilda was not designed for what you have in mind so I agree. Long and narrow is what you want. There is a point where the speed gain/resistance decrease vs stability becomes questionable. That is to say the increase in speed isn't worth the loss in stability. You have an advantage dealing with kids. they are lighter and you can go narrower and it still be stable enough. I have looked at making some skinny kayaks and I always find that the gains in performance are not worth the minimal gains. Again, good luck with this. I love the idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 You had me until carbon. Yech, I hate that stuff. Almost as much as fiberglass. The teaching kids to build boats and chase dreams part I love, though. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 My first thought about carbon is that I don't think it bends well does it? That is going to make hull design very important so you get what you designed. I have fought with wood deforming my designs once I remove them from the strongback since I started. Wood sometimes will do what ever it wants and there is nothing you can do about one that wants to warp. But I have learned a lot and I think I just found that missing piece of the puzzle I have been looking for a couple of years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAnimis Posted November 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 For the frames being rigid is a good thing. We're going to have to see if the tube will bend enough for stringers. On a skinny 20' boat it might bend enough. If we run into stability issues, we can add sponsons or outriggers (we actually made some for the Matilda, but after the first sea test we realized we didn't need them). Hopefully they'll only be needed as trainging wheels while the pilots are learning to handle the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Oh, I'm sure you can get carbon stuff in pretty much any characteristic you want. The beauty is it is an engineered material. The fibers can be oriented in construction to give the desired properties. They make brake disks (and pads!) from the stuff, and fishing rods, too. It's pretty cool stuff. It does not smell like tree bones, though. It will eat your blades up. Do NOT get a sliver under your skin! Also, it looks weird to me. That said, build a boat from chicken skins and old crutches for all I care, as long as you help kids learn to make stuff. We need more people who know how to make stuff. And like to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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