Jump to content

Amphibious pathfinder


Milos
 Share

Recommended Posts

Just remember on Top Gear, Clarkson made a boat out of a HB (after the lessen he learned with the Toyboata, which still worked but needed a kink or 2 ironed out). Sure it was for 'entertainment purposes' but it worked :lol:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just remember on Top Gear, Clarkson made a boat out of a HB (after the lessen he learned with the Toyboata, which still worked but needed a kink or 2 ironed out). Sure it was for 'entertainment purposes' but it worked :lol:

Toybota.jpg

this looks like nissan truck?

clarkson_450x250.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Challenge: The amphibious cars make a return as the team are challenged to drive from Sidcup to Dover, and then across the English Channel. Clarkson uses a new Nissan pick-up (nicknamed the "Nissank") with a Honda outboard motor, attaching two lightweight oildrums to act as buoyancy devices. Hammond modifies a second Volkswagen Transporter (nicknamed the "Dampervan") by using a fibreglass hull and adding sealant. May uses his original Triumph Herald sailboat, adding a collapsible mast and an insert for a centreboard keel. During the trip to Dover, Hammond and Clarkson's cars begin to smoke as their foam insulation cause overheating, while May's emits a buzzing sound and also starts to smoke. May is the first to launch his car, but the keel insert fails and the car sinks on its first attempt. Although recovered and repaired, the Triumph suffers a broken mast on the second attempt and is no longer usable. Hammond's new "Dampervan" successfully floats, but the choppy waters eventually damage his steering on the first attempt and the vehicle subsequently sinks during the next day's attempt. All three eventually set off in Clarkson's Nissan, attempting (and failing) to break Richard Branson's previous record for crossing the Channel in an amphibious vehicle (Branson crossed the Channel using a Gibbs Aquada). They manage to get to France, albeit not Calais where they had planned, but Sangatte. They evaluate that they have been "ambitious, but rubbish."

 

In short, they wanted to say: Don't you Tungsten before you research.

Edited by Milos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The twin kayaks are pretty cool, but they lack a certain elegance.

 

We need something more James Bond-ian... cut the side panels (maybe just the front and rear fenders) along the body line, then hinge them so they'll fold out. Then make big neoprene air chambers (old wetsuits sewn shut?) to put inside them, and hook them to an on-board air compressor. Rebuild your door seals so they interlock, then slather them with petroleum jelly. Get a huge snorkel, wrap all the electronic bits with condoms (you might need an XXL for the battery), and rig those heavy plate bumpers so they hinge at the bottom, and can fold down, lowering your COG and exposing your prop. Rig some kind of secondary transfer case to send power to the prop (collapsible/telescoping would also be good; tie the telescoping into the bumper mechanism for bonus points). Rig it all up with actuators from those campers where the sides pop out, then attach the controls to the dashboard where some people put those silly cupholders. Then throw the spare tire into the back (to use as an anchor) and put several life preservers in its place on the carrier. A bilge pump might not be a bad idea. Put a red LED in one side indicator and a green one in the other (do this in the reverse lights too) so the boat police don't get all up in your face. Inflate the bags, drop the bumpers, and go race a ferry boat.

 

The only problem I see with this design is the cashier's reaction when you come through with the vaseline and the rubber hose.

 

 

 

 

... I've put a lot of thought into this.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

wats for submarine mod comments to flow in

 

I'd rather just have me an old DUKW, but I'm the type that would over-enjoy using it as a DD...

 

DUKW ("D" stands for 1942, "U" stands for utility (amphibian), "K" stands for front wheel drive, and "W" indicates two rear-driving axles.)

us-gmc-dukw_009.jpg

 

and Russian GAZ 46

 

Gaz46_2.jpg

Edited by Milos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If that's salt water you can say good bye to that frame.

 

Celtic Sea, Atlantic Ocean and English channel to North Sea?

Surely it is a salt water.

englishc.gif

 

Here you can learn how salty it is, and where:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQV_dNTPK4g

 

Industrial Marine coating paints(available in different colors)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celtic Sea, Atlantic Ocean and English channel to North Sea?

Surely it is a salt water.

englishc.gif

 

Here you can learn how salty it is, and where:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQV_dNTPK4g

 

Industrial Marine coating paints(available in different colors)

Good info but I said IF the water is salty and in English IF does not mean IS.

 

To do this right, you are looking at a very big and costly project here. You can always suspend some barrels and use them as floats and put a outboard motor on the back but that will make you look like an idiot on the water.

Edited by Tungsten
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...