How would a boat behave if....

[Sea-Dog]

Sometimes the brain tends to wander a bit.

Mine went down an odd path yesterday when it started wondering how a boat would ride if the outboard was mounted at the bow instead of the stern.

• Would the outboard jump out of the water when going over waves?
• Would the ride be flatter?
• Would the boat have to be reversed onto trailer?
• How would a foil act?

Man, I think I need to go fishin'

[stinky-stabi]

WTF???? you need to stay away from those orchy bottles

[LoungeLizard]

This is proof that too little fishing can drive a man crazy

[Homer_Jay]

The netters mount their outboards in the centre of the boat..... so I guess it is just one more step!

But seeing as though the outboard in the centre hasnt taken off in the mainstream market... then I guess it has no benifit other than to keep the props away from the net!

Now did someone say orchy bottle????

[Marlin_Mike]

WTF? You been drinking those pink girly drinks? Or sniffing the Green Ginger Wine?

[Camhawk88]

Same as if you relocated you arse to the top of your head-
very bloody ordinary I would imagine

[ric]

Mine went down an odd path yesterday when it started wondering how a boat would ride if the outboard was mounted at the bow instead of the stern.

Depending on number of engines there are a couple of things that can happen

1. install 1 etec motor to front - boat goes no where
2. install 2 etec motors to front - boat goes no where + sits slightly bow down.
3. install 3 etec motors to front - very frowned upon..... most of us normally only carry 2 anchors

[finga]

Sometimes the brain tends to wander a bit.

Mine went down an odd path yesterday when it started wondering how a boat would ride if the outboard was mounted at the bow instead of the stern.

• Would the boat have to be reversed onto trailer?

Man, I think I need to go fishin'

Well funny you should mention that.
Here's an old picture I found with the original 'Idle Hours' in it.
It was on it's way to getting a cabin put on it.
I don't know why they always put it on the trailer backwards but there must have been a reason.
It had a Holden grey motor with a 3 speed Holden gearbox going straight to the prop shaft.

[Chimo]

Twas probably easier than moving the trailer wheels, looks like with the bum to the car there was a lot of weight on the tow bar, if the boat was 'right" way round the poor old holden could have had its back wheels in the air..........

C
C

[murf]

Sometimes the brain tends to wander a bit.

Mine went down an odd path yesterday when it started wondering how a boat would ride if the outboard was mounted at the bow instead of the stern.

• Would the outboard jump out of the water when going over waves?
• Would the ride be flatter?
• Would the boat have to be reversed onto trailer?
• How would a foil act?

Man, I think I need to go fishin'

hahahaha def go fishing Mate

cheers Murf

[Gon Fishun]

Manouverability would be good.Probaly need traction control for cornering.

[Sea-Dog]

Well funny you should mention that.
Here's an old picture I found with the original 'Idle Hours' in it.
It was on it's way to getting a cabin put on it.
I don't know why they always put it on the trailer backwards but there must have been a reason.
It had a Holden grey motor with a 3 speed Holden gearbox going straight to the prop shaft.

Certainly make it easier for beach launching.

[White Pointer]

Certainly make it easier for beach launching.

G'day,

In power boats a front drive boat is comparable to a front drive car ... except that the sea doesn't want to play the game. So we keep propulsion at the rear. But we have learned to use auxilliary propulsion with thrusters and auxiliary engines for manouvering so I think we are doing pretty well.

Are you OK now?

Regards,

White Pointer

[Sea-Dog]

...

• Would the outboard jump out of the water when going over waves?
• Would the ride be flatter?
• Would the boat have to be reversed onto trailer?
• How would a foil act?

Man, I think I need to go fishin'

[It feels a bit weird quoting myself]

There are crazier ideas though:

• Mount a boat on skis (hydrofoil),
• Use a water pump to propel boat (jetboat),
• Make a barge with vertical take-off/landing (hovercraft),
• Mount a mini-bike hooked up to an industrial pump into a bathtub (jetski),
• Mount a conveyor belt underneath a mini-bike in a bathtub mounted with skis at the front (snowmobile)

All that aside -

I'm not thinking of building one, just thought it might promote some discussion a bit beyond just taking the piss. (Some of which was very funny )

Actually addressing the physics involved might prove to be interesting, or at least mildly entertaining.

Why are outboards (almost) always mounted at the stern?

What pros and cons are there for bow mounted main propulsion - dragging the boat along instead of pushing it where you want it to go.


I imagine a front mounted outboard would have clean, undisturbed water - got to be more efficient, although somewhat more vulnerable to damage.

If the bow profile was right - she'd cut through waves, whereas a stern-mounted outboard pushes the bow skyward when the bow meets the waves - Forces in two directions.

No more bow rising to climb onto the plane - the whole boat would just lift a bit.

I think on tight turns at speed the bum might be a bit skittery if you didn't have external keel/deep V bottom.

If a foil was fitted (like an SE sport or Permatrim) the effect of trim up/down would be greatly enhanced. Might be a bit too sensitive to downward trim??

Any thoughts?

[Sea-Dog]

G'day,

In power boats a front drive boat is comparable to a front drive car ... except that the sea doesn't want to play the game. So we keep propulsion at the rear. But we have learned to use auxilliary propulsion with thrusters and auxiliary engines for manouvering so I think we are doing pretty well.

Are you OK now?

Regards,

White Pointer

G'day WP,

I was responding to Finga's post about his boat with the bow at the rear of the trailer.

Make it easier with the bow pointing into the waves, that's all.

Not doing OK yet - still have unresolved questions as per prev post which I posted before viewing yours.

What do you mean the sea doesn't want to play the game?

Just an exercise in thinking - that's all.

Cheers, Sea Dog