stwendl
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2015
- Messages
- 596
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-28
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2719J516
- Vessel Name
- Cataleya
In an earlier post I mentioned I have a KaBoat 14' inflatable dinghy/kayak. I have been storing it on the rooftop of my R27. See pictures in my gallery.
Getting it up there and down is easy with two people, but I am frequently single handing and quite lazy. So after some lengthy design thoughts, a few experiments and models for proof of concept, I am now down to a concept design for a mechanism which will launch or retract said inflatable from the roof to the water and reverse. Single button operation, 3 minutes for launch/retract.
I am currently trying to find some shops who will build it for me and once completed will show some pictures and videos of operation. The mechanism has been designed for a 14' version weighing 58lbs and sits on top of the "roof rack" supports of the R27. The inflatable is stored upside down, cradling the fake chimney. The mechanism has a folding arm which will fold out over the side, thus reversing the dinghy, and once the arm reaches over the side, a miniature winch will lower the boat 8-9' down into the water, where the operator can disconnect the lines, attach the motor and use the boat. The motor is stored away from the dinghy.
The challenge was to find the power winches and actuators in use, and some them had to be build for this purpose as nothing that small was found to be usable. The main frame work is build from SS tubing like the one used for the bullpits and uses about 60' of tubing, two linear screw drive actuators, and two custom build winches build from aluminum that are about 4x4x5". From that the estimated cost can be derived. Not sure if its worth it, but it really looks cool, seeing the launch as I imagine it.
Getting it up there and down is easy with two people, but I am frequently single handing and quite lazy. So after some lengthy design thoughts, a few experiments and models for proof of concept, I am now down to a concept design for a mechanism which will launch or retract said inflatable from the roof to the water and reverse. Single button operation, 3 minutes for launch/retract.
I am currently trying to find some shops who will build it for me and once completed will show some pictures and videos of operation. The mechanism has been designed for a 14' version weighing 58lbs and sits on top of the "roof rack" supports of the R27. The inflatable is stored upside down, cradling the fake chimney. The mechanism has a folding arm which will fold out over the side, thus reversing the dinghy, and once the arm reaches over the side, a miniature winch will lower the boat 8-9' down into the water, where the operator can disconnect the lines, attach the motor and use the boat. The motor is stored away from the dinghy.
The challenge was to find the power winches and actuators in use, and some them had to be build for this purpose as nothing that small was found to be usable. The main frame work is build from SS tubing like the one used for the bullpits and uses about 60' of tubing, two linear screw drive actuators, and two custom build winches build from aluminum that are about 4x4x5". From that the estimated cost can be derived. Not sure if its worth it, but it really looks cool, seeing the launch as I imagine it.