Dive platform

[robbarnes1965]

FIrst of all, that's a great swim platform!

My 2 cents would be to find a way to mount the rudders to the outside of the swim platform. I'm thinking brackets attached to the posts closest the hull with the same rudder setup. As you currently have them I would be concerned about waves or suction from the prop bending them just enough to touch the prop on occasion.

[SKIPPER2C]

Thanks ROBBARNES
Very good plan. Thats thinking out of the box.
Renier

[bahama bound]

man how cool would that be for some one to come up with a sugar scoop fiberglass section that just bolted on the back of the boat ,i keep thinking about a armstrong type bracket that would set the motor back 18-24 inches ,im sure a company like the companies that make these out board brackets could make a all in one dive platform and motor bracket with the swivels for the the rudders too . if you were running a 50 or so 4 stroke it would more than likely be fine .but the bigger motors 90+ would be alot harder ....i might check with one ,there are lots of them that do custom aluminum brackets .

[SKIPPER2C]

Yes i have moved the OB back 12 inches. It made a huge difference in mounting the . The rudders are not idle and i am looking for answers to solve the problem.
Renier

[csm]

Awsome dive platform! I think I'd call it a patio
Have you considered making semi circular cuts in the platform above the rudders, and building brackets that allow the rudders to be lifted vertically like the centerboard? Judging by the great job you did on the platform railing,rudder brackets should be a snap. Looking forward to seeing your final solution. Good luck.

[K9Kampers]

Nice platform! Easier to take a leak while sailing!

[SKIPPER2C]

Thanks for the nice comments.
My question is , will it affect the sailing performance if i move the rudders to the end of the dive platform / sugar-scoop. It will be the easiest way to do it.
Renier

[K9Kampers]

My opinion is not about the sailing performance per se... From a safety standpoint, I wonder about the dynamic loads put upon the platform structure and thus the boat from applying this idea. I'm not of the expertise to gauge the integrity of the design...that would be for the person who would build it and stand behind their work

[SKIPPER2C]

From a safety standpoint, i think the 9 months i have been sailing with it attached, in all kind of conditions, it would have shone any structure problems . The gelcoat i add as "telltale" as

Catigale wrote:
My gut feel is you won't have a problem with this. It isn't as much change as doubling the HP and weight as so many have done successfully on this Board. You can use gel coat as your 'engineering marker' too.....if you don't see any gel coat cracking as you trial this setup and slowly increasing throttle speeds, it means your transom isn't flexing at all.

shows no cracking. I think my success is the top part that extends the load to a much bigger part of the boat. With 2 divers with gear on the platform there's no obvious proof of a load on the platform.
The rudders influence on the structure can not be that big, or can it

My opinion is not about the sailing performance per se... From a safety standpoint, I wonder about the dynamic loads put upon the platform structure and thus the boat from applying this idea. I'm not of the expertise to gauge the integrity of the design...that would be for the person who would build it and stand behind their work

That would be me. That's why i need all the advice i could get.
Renier

[K9Kampers]

Outside of structual / safety concerns, I wouldn't think that increasing the distance between centerboard and rudders would affect the sailing performance of a Waterbago in regards to the benefits of it's current modifications and use.
You'd have the sailing characteristics of a 26' hull and the steering characteristics of a 29' boat. Best thing is if you decide that moving the rudders aft doesn't work, you can easily move them back to original.

[Russ]

"power steering" or anything that puts that much pressure on the rudder system would likely cause a break. I worry about the rudders when not fully down and the stress they have.

Nice platform, but why not tilt it up? Put it on hinges and tilt it up out of the way when not used and then the rudders could lift up.

[SKIPPER2C]

by RussMT » Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:24 am

"power steering" or anything that puts that much pressure on the rudder system would likely cause a break. I worry about the rudders when not fully down and the stress they have.

Nice platform, but why not tilt it up? Put it on hinges and tilt it up out of the way when not used and then the rudders could lift up.

Thanx

The success of the platform is the space the moving of the OB created to mount the easier . That bracket also gives stability to the platform.
On hinges the platform is not at all firmly ,soled.( hope u know wat i mean do not no how to say it in English.) If u think that the the rudders when not fully down and the stress they have will be the problem wat about rudders as on the Hake yacht that pull out.
I think, with the rudders i will be able to make a plan.

by K9Kampers » Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:46 pm

You'd have the sailing characteristics of a 26' hull and the steering characteristics of a 29' boat.

Will that be a big problem .

This is where i need the wisdom of the forum.
My hope is to
" Debate 3 times,
Plan 2 times, and
Do only 1s.

Renier

[Catigale]

Renier...I can't see the sailing performance changing the much. The rudders will be more effective so in the worst case you may have to get the "slop" or backlash out of the system which isn't difficult.

I doubt you will have structural problems with the forces but again that can be solved.

[SKIPPER2C]

Thanx for that good news Sir.

by Catigale » Sat Sep 01, 2012 11:03 am
Renier...I can't see the sailing performance changing the much. The rudders will be more effective so in the worst case you may have to get the "slop" or backlash out of the system which isn't difficult.

Can u pleas explain wat that mean Sir. ( Not stupid but the Dictionary make no sens.)

Renier

[restless]

you will be wanting to take the play out of the rudder - rudder bracket system.

The most important thing I would think about moving the rudders back is making sure that they go down at the original angle. If they trail by only a little it makes the steering very heavy. If they lean forward too much they could snatch the wheel.

I've often thought about power sucking in the rudders. I was recently told by an experienced maccer that he did a custom prop job an a mercury bigfoot, hopped onto the plane at 20+kts, and had the rudders down (on an X). He went on to say that the biggest problem with typical macs is the lack of parrallelism in the two blades, and no means of adjusting this.

If you're curious about my slop-free adjustable hydraulic/cable set up you can find it all here: http://www.ironengineer.com/mac/home/index.htm

Glad to see we're not the only ones using a mac as a scuba base. When we dive we use our tender as a platform to kit up/slash/de-kit. We've also scrapped the captains seat to allow easy access on and off.

Would love to have a boat in your part of the world. Maybe we'll get there on a dive trip somewhen. Mozambique with their bull sharks is going to take a bit of persuading for mrs though!