Water Walker’s NEW Congo Cargo Airboat

[WaterWalker]

Water Walker’s NEW Congo Cargo Airboat.

As we worked with the tests mentioned in the previous post (Driver Adjustable Prop on the Water Walker Concept AirBoat), we were also searching for possible ways to further improve the design principals of airboats in general. Articles were posted as well as general discussions and engineering done to search for possible ways to further improve fuel efficiency extending typical range, enhance safety, reduce noise, and expand service and utility for airboats in general.

Our tests and research led us to believe that there were several major improvements possible in the design/build processes that could achieve major advancements in those stated goals. We have invented, conceived and defined these improvements and designed a new concept airboat that embodies them.

This newest concept airboat is now being built to demonstrate the practicality of these new features. The most dramatic of these new design concepts will be methods to lower the air thrust line. We will also use the improvements recently demonstrated in the Blue Lightning concept boat such as air entrained onto the water planning surface under the airboat and the operator adjustable pitch propeller systems.





A while ago, Plum, AndrewMcD and I spent the morning at Alumitec with Raymond Reel. After discussions and review of our new computer designs, Raymond and his son David agreed to undertake the building of a special hull for this next newest Concept Boat. Andrew continued to work with David Reel on the computer design including several very special features. As of the date of this writing, Raymond & David Reel are nearly complete with the hull (with 5/16” polymer covered bottom) at Alumitec. We will be picking the hull up very soon. This new boat will include:



• A (now proven) air entrainment lip & pocket on the bottom of the hull.
• A newly designed Hyper-Drive system that we call the “Dual-Sync Waterline Drive”.
• A variable geometry transom that allows the “Waterline Drive” system’s vertical center of air thrust to be only 3 feet above the hull bottom. The top of the cage will be only 6 feet above the ground. (Go under highway bridges and store the boat behind a typical garage door height.)
• An approximately 450 HP small block V-8 aftermarket engine mounted low in the boat. (See below)
• A recently designed split-drive transmission with a hydraulically actuated clutch for the “Hyper Drive”. This gearbox with clutch is currently commissioned (serious $ deposits placed) and is now in the “first off” build phase at a nationally known racing specialty transmission company.



We hope to have the new boat completed before Plum is too old to wring it out. Andrew is working overtime on his magic computer and with research to push it along. Plum wants to put a high HP, twin turbocharged EcoTec engine in it. Andrew and I are not sure about that yet. Baseline so far is a MAS V-8 Engine.



Water Walker, as always, “Is working to make airboating better”.

David Wine
David Mosser
Andrew McDermott

[DynaMarine]

Very cool! Looks to be single engine twin prop, or is the twin prop just for graphic representation only and actually feature a single prop?

Looming forward to seeing your new concept hit the water guys!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Andrew McD]

Yes Sir. Single engine, twin propeller.

[Whitebear]

I'm loving all the innovations. This is a good time to ask about the drive system. With the center of thrust much lowered by the twin props, have you considered spinning them in opposite directions? This is a prime time to get a true go strait hands off boat without a bunch of rudder trim tabs & etc..

The twin engine and 3 engine boats we used in Seismic Research had a constant turn built into them because both or all three were spinning the same direction. Maybe just spin them in the opposite direction from the engine rotation. But opposites would be cool.

Even twin contra-rotating engines, of course then you have two critical engines instead of one as in airplane speak. Cessna cheated the game with their Skymaster with one tractor and one pusher engine and both engines rotating the same just facing opposite directions. Food for thought anyway.

I guess for Florida we still going to have to have a mast to carry the flag 10' above the bottom of the boat.

Sometimes I think too much and too quick though.

[JB550]

You would do well to listen to plums advise on the ecotech motor. There are a lot of naysayers when it comes to this motor but that is only because they are not yet aware of its performance. The new ecotech 2.0l turbocharged for 2013 has 270 hp and 295 ft lbs of tq from a motor that only weighs 310 lbs. This motor is the most power dense engine ever certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers. With nothing more than a turbo upgrade and a retune you boost hp to 480. Engine builders wont be interested in this motor because there is no $$$$ in it for them.

[DDSBC]

Wow! Fastinating innovations David I will be following this boats build for sure! Really cool stuff!

[gyrocopter582]

Excellent concept. What will the propeller diameter(s) be?
I would like to know the particulars on the limits of how small,
you could make suitable propellers. This is relevant to the thrust line of course.
The cooling system design on the test boat is ingenious.

[needcoffee]

Andrew,

Are you planning to use ducted fans? With tolerances capable of delivering laminar air flow?

Regards

[WaterWalker]

You would do well to listen to plums advise on the ecotech motor. There are a lot of naysayers when it comes to this motor but that is only because they are not yet aware of its performance. The new ecotech 2.0l turbocharged for 2013 has 270 hp and 295 ft lbs of tq from a motor that only weighs 310 lbs. This motor is the most power dense engine ever certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers. With nothing more than a turbo upgrade and a retune you boost hp to 480. Engine builders wont be interested in this motor because there is no $$$$ in it for them.

JB550:
Thanks for the response. We are indeed interested in the EcoTec engine possibility. We know the source and cost of a MAS engine. We do not know the source and cost of the EcoTec 2.01 turbocharged. If we use one, (We have still not purchased the MAS engine), but this decision is fast approaching. Should we go with EcoTec, I think that I would rather have a new engine so that the finished boat will be "All New". Any help that we could get for a source and hopefully an OEM price would be appreciated from yourself or others that might help.

Our performance projections indicate that we need about 450 available HP. We can set the reduction ratio by choice of belt sprockets, so we can accommodate different RPM power ranges.

Picking up other questions from above;

Yes, counter-rotating twin propellers driven by a single engine. The new transmission splits the engine rotation into two sprockets that are counter-rotating. The twin belts used will be Gates (brand) Poly Chain Carbon backed Synchronous belts. The propellers will be "interleaved" and turn downward at the center of the boat. There will be no torque roll.

Note that the "variable geometry" transom lays down with prop blast and springs back up when throttle is reduced or released. (very live spring loaded). When in the up, water tight position, it is actually taller than most current fixed transoms and so will handle very large following wakes.

The twin interleaved 60" diameter inwardly counter-rotating propellers will provide us the same total disc area as a single propeller with an 85" diameter disc. We will have this total disc area, while having the vertical center of thrust only 3' above waterline when planing with the transom held down by the air-blast. We expect the very low "push point" to greatly improve performance and fuel burn.

David Wine

[DDSBC]

When coming up with the total disc area of the twin propellers was the math done for each propeller and then multiplied by 2 and then the area in the middle where the two propellers cross deducted from that number? I don't know if I'm wording my question well enough to understand.

[papajack]

In the drawing I noticed seats and footstand located at different elevations. Is this something in design to be able to raise and lower during differing conditions or just possible fixed positions?

[Aeon]

You should keep the folding transom inside the hull. To easy to damage it slipping sideways with it exposed out the back.

[todd glover]

I like the twin props and the motor in the bottom of the hull

[Wild Bill]

Very cool! One prop slightly ahead of the other? Props on the same plane and blades timed with toothed belts would be cool but perhaps catastrphic should you break a belt.

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

The 2014 3.6L V6 LF3 Ecotec produces the same HP as the 6.2L V8 L86 engine that comes in the new 2014 GM trucks. It can be tuned past 475 HP without taking away dependability. This engine comes in the 2014 Caddy CTS. Maximum torque would come in around 1700 rpm.
I am working on pricing and availability of this engine now.
Thanks, Chuck

[Prototype]

The 2014 3.6L V6 LF3 Ecotec produces the same HP as the 6.2L V8 L86 engine that comes in the new 2014 GM trucks. It can be tuned past 475 HP without taking away dependability. This engine comes in the 2014 Caddy CTS. Maximum torque would come in around 1700 rpm.
I am working on pricing and availability of this engine now.
Thanks, Chuck

Chuck, Have you seen the new cruze 2.0 turbo diesel? Coupled with an adjustable in flight prop and stock 46 mpg i bet someone could get close to 15-20 mpg at least on the water and not be retrained by eth or limited rec or av gas stations.

Anybody been to the congo to see what fuel is for sale?

[KitCat13]

David, VERY impressive! This boat definitely redefines airboating!! Haven't seen innovation or creativity like this in years!!! CONGRATS!!

[plumcrazy]

The 2014 3.6L V6 LF3 Ecotec produces the same HP as the 6.2L V8 L86 engine that comes in the new 2014 GM trucks. It can be tuned past 475 HP without taking away dependability. This engine comes in the 2014 Caddy CTS. Maximum torque would come in around 1700 rpm.
I am working on pricing and availability of this engine now.
Thanks, Chuck

Chuck, Have you seen the new cruze 2.0 turbo diesel? Coupled with an adjustable in flight prop and stock 46 mpg i bet someone could get close to 15-20 mpg at least on the water and not be retrained by eth or limited rec or av gas stations.

Anybody been to the congo to see what fuel is for sale?

the first test boat will have a 460 hp 2 year waranty after market mast motor because we already have base line info on performance and, economy....thus we can make very acurate judgements as to what the new designs will do for the airboating comunity at large. after weve determend all the vairibles we will incorporate these new high tech engines into the mix. the goal of us here at Water Walker. is to have a boat that can haul a large pay load for a great distance on a tank of fuel and get back. and still do every thing that a stout conventional airboat does today but better, faster,and easy on the wallet at the pump.....

if ya see this thing coming your way on a lake, marsh , or hill .best move cause i will be ringing her out

[glades cat]

I like the ducted fan design. I remember repairing or replacing them on our racing hovercrafts when we would torque them hard or hit something and the blades would zing the cowling. A separate piece would also allow easy servicing and access to the drive system.
Cool stuff.

[Olf Art]

I like the ducted fan design. I remember repairing or replacing them on our racing hovercrafts when we would torque them hard or hit something and the blades would zing the cowling. A separate piece would also allow easy servicing and access to the drive system. Cool stuff.

My thoughts are similar, Cat. When I look at the shearline of the hull, I'm thinking that all of the upper structure of this boat could be molded out of kevlar or carbon fiber ..... there could be a parting line straight down the side of the hull at about that upper stiffening ridge, and a molded 'top half' could be set down and bolted along the shear to complete the shape.

Doing that would reduce fabrication time, total weight, and production cost tremendously, and it would also make the shrouding around the props a replacement part if something gets together. Love the dual CR props. Thrust right where it's needed.

Pretty work, David. Very pretty .....

[Prototype]

The 2014 3.6L V6 LF3 Ecotec produces the same HP as the 6.2L V8 L86 engine that comes in the new 2014 GM trucks. It can be tuned past 475 HP without taking away dependability. This engine comes in the 2014 Caddy CTS. Maximum torque would come in around 1700 rpm.
I am working on pricing and availability of this engine now.
Thanks, Chuck

Chuck, Have you seen the new cruze 2.0 turbo diesel? Coupled with an adjustable in flight prop and stock 46 mpg i bet someone could get close to 15-20 mpg at least on the water and not be retrained by eth or limited rec or av gas stations.

Anybody been to the congo to see what fuel is for sale?

the first test boat will have a 460 hp 2 year waranty after market mast motor because we already have base line info on performance and, economy....thus we can make very acurate judgements as to what the new designs will do for the airboating comunity at large. after weve determend all the vairibles we will incorporate these new high tech engines into the mix. the goal of us here at Water Walker. is to have a boat that can haul a large pay load for a great distance on a tank of fuel and get back. and still do every thing that a stout conventional airboat does today but better, faster,and easy on the wallet at the pump.....

if ya see this thing coming your way on a lake, marsh , or hill .best move cause i will be ringing her out

Hell I will run escort for ya if ya want? LOL

[mascara]

The 2014 3.6L V6 LF3 Ecotec produces the same HP as the 6.2L V8 L86 engine that comes in the new 2014 GM trucks. It can be tuned past 475 HP without taking away dependability. This engine comes in the 2014 Caddy CTS. Maximum torque would come in around 1700 rpm.
I am working on pricing and availability of this engine now.
Thanks, Chuck

Chuck, Have you seen the new cruze 2.0 turbo diesel? Coupled with an adjustable in flight prop and stock 46 mpg i bet someone could get close to 15-20 mpg at least on the water and not be retrained by eth or limited rec or av gas stations.

Anybody been to the congo to see what fuel is for sale?

the first test boat will have a 460 hp 2 year waranty after market mast motor because we already have base line info on performance and, economy....thus we can make very acurate judgements as to what the new designs will do for the airboating comunity at large. after weve determend all the vairibles we will incorporate these new high tech engines into the mix. the goal of us here at Water Walker. is to have a boat that can haul a large pay load for a great distance on a tank of fuel and get back. and still do every thing that a stout conventional airboat does today but better, faster,and easy on the wallet at the pump.....

if ya see this thing coming your way on a lake, marsh , or hill .best move cause i will be ringing her out

Hey Plumcrazy,

That airboat design is definitely a WOW factor!

Given the props are covered sure will help the pacify the authorities here regarding the "danger' aspect in comparison to a prop that is just covered by a cage.

With the "covered" engine, I guess the noise factor should be "under" control .

Would this AB be ready to rock and roll by August?

Cheers!

[WaterWalker]

Congo Cargo Boat replies to SA Thread 7-7-13

By David Wine

Lake Wales, Fl 33898

Picking up questions again;

Whitebear: Thanks for the early post.

We have twin 60” diameter counter-rotating 3 blade propellers that are inter-leaved in the same plane. There will be no torque roll or boat turning force. They are turning inward at their tops producing a downward air blast component at the variable geometry transom. The double prop action within the overlapping disc area gives an increased air pressure gradient over the central of three rudders for better turning control.

We hope that this new utility airboat concept will be a useful tool for work tasks such as you describe that you worked with in the oil industries.

We are building toward an approximately one ton gross payload of passengers, fuel and supplies.

gyrocopter582:

The 60” Dia. props will spin at a maximum of about 3200 RPM resulting in a max tip speed of about 571 MPH for a Mach number of about 0.80.

What is the effectiveness of a smaller disc? The question is valid. A larger diameter propeller by nature turns slower so that the propeller tips remain well below the sound barrier. So say an 85” diameter propeller might spin at 2000 RPM for a tip speed of 506 MPH. At 2000 RPM one would have to move the measurement out the propeller blade to a point about 9” out from center to form a circle of 18” diameter to realize a relative airspeed of just above 100 MPH (minimum flying speed for the airfoils). Below that the propeller airfoils are not effective. So we remove a diameter of 18” from that 85” diameter disc. Usable sq. footage of the remaining “donut” shaped disc then computes to be 37.63 sq. ft.

At 3200 RPM with a 60” disc the tip speeds compute to be 571 MPH and one has to go out the blade only about 6” to see a relative speed of 114 MPH. So we remove a 12” diameter circle area from this disc. It then computes to be 18.84 sq. ft. Then we multiply times two for two propellers to get 37.68 sq. ft. of effective disc area. Compare to the above 85” diameter disc! It’s a wash.

DDSBC:

Yes, the propellers overlap into co-use disc area. We do not deduct that area either once or twice because both propellers are working in that area. I do not expect any loss of effectiveness particularly compared to most propellers in airboats that have an area below the transom line that would have a larger negative effect on thrust in that below transom area.

Wild Bill:

We do not expect “state of the art” protected and well maintained belts to break. The “Mean time between failure” ratings of the fourth generation Gates (brand) Poly Chain belts is large indeed.

Things and systems do sometimes fail, witness the airline crash at SFO yesterday.

KitCat13:

Special thanks to you & Matt for your business over the years and for your comments here.

Olf Art:

We always enjoy and appreciate your posts. Thanks again

David Wine

[fannman]

I think the centerline thrust of the prop being closer to the bottom of boat would be an improvement in performance.

[gyrocopter582]

David, I like your style of response to others.
60in. propellers seem to be quite popular in experimental aviation.
I run a 60 on my whirly.
I am curious about your prop shaft support design for this rascal.