Tuesday 27 January 2015

Cheating with the Stern Section

I added a prop tunnel to jigsaw to minimize draft and give added protection to the Propeller , but the practicality of creating the tunnel in complex compound curves out of sheet plywood while possible , is not easy . Therefore I cheated !  .   The basic cutout in the hull is formed by flat layers of sheet plywood in a basic shape , thus creating the structural base of the entity , the final shape will be created later out of fiberglass and foam , much easier   in this  medium . I used a similar technique  on the conical bow sections but that was a single curve where this is a compound ( 2 directions ) curve therefore more flexibility was required.






As you can see we also have a much curvier hull shape compared to the earlier 2 sections ,  as the hull lines make their way back up to the stern ,nice to see as straight lines are so boring.


This is only the first skin layer , still another to add , the second skin covers the edge of the first so as to increase strength and minimize the exposed edge of the ply , still its all covered with layers of fiberglass later anyway .

In the first picture you can just make out a bolt emanating from the  front of this section , this is the keel height as taken from the previous section , by the time it reaches the tunnel and propeller position it will be almost 800 mm from the base of the tunnel , not inconsiderable .

I had toyed with the idea of a propeller strut instead of a full keel but stuck with it as it gives more protection and at the design cruising speed of 6 knots shouldn't affect the propeller efficiency too much .

Monday 19 January 2015

HouseBoat or Boat Boat

Have been fine tuning the overall look of jigsaw , and made some changes to the upper structure design . Have edged the design away from it being just a Houseboat to more of a conventional boat in the overall look .
 Propulsion system is also changed , is now a hybrid of solar , battery , diesel and electric motors .
Sounds complex but due to the large solar arrays on the top of the boat it should make for  more economical operation .
Am currently working on the prop tunnel in the last section of the first hull ( pictures soon ) .
Interior layout has also changed , large workshop at the rear is now replaced with an open deck , a smaller workshop has been placed into the port hull under the Dining area . Side Decks now surround the entire lower portion  . My own little ( relatively ) Mini Superyacht !