My experience with boat maintenance is (thankfully) limited; but I do know that wood tends to shrink and swell rather cheerfully as its moisture content changes, and that larger wooden vessels tend to suffer some 'play' from the hogging and sagging induced by wave action and any changes in relative buoyancy as cargo load changes from voyage to voyage, hence the fine naval tradition of oakum, tar, and endless manual labor lest you die a watery death.
Thinking of that, the pictures of a whole bunch of curve
I think you've really nailed it here. Wood is a poor choice for something like this, because a boat only has to be aggressively sealed in certain places, but this is exposed to water everywhere. The best choice I can think of is probably polycarbonate, which has the added advantage of additional resistance to sharkbite. Plus, you know, it's transparent. That would be seriously cool. You can sand and buff out the inevitable scratches. Barring that, I'd use sheet Aluminum. Heck, I probably have enough for the job right here, since it doesn't need to be any heavier-weight than necessary to prevent deformation.
Now, if only I had some bending equipment, I could get some heavier sheet than what I've got (.025 6160, IIRC) and make some ribs. I suppose I'd also want a recumbent Aluminum bicycle to start with.
Frankly though, I would just use a prop. Which would not be nearly as cool. So this is still cool:)
Any woodworkers around? (Score:2)
Thinking of that, the pictures of a whole bunch of curve
Re:Any woodworkers around? (Score:2)
I think you've really nailed it here. Wood is a poor choice for something like this, because a boat only has to be aggressively sealed in certain places, but this is exposed to water everywhere. The best choice I can think of is probably polycarbonate, which has the added advantage of additional resistance to sharkbite. Plus, you know, it's transparent. That would be seriously cool. You can sand and buff out the inevitable scratches. Barring that, I'd use sheet Aluminum. Heck, I probably have enough for the job right here, since it doesn't need to be any heavier-weight than necessary to prevent deformation.
Now, if only I had some bending equipment, I could get some heavier sheet than what I've got (.025 6160, IIRC) and make some ribs. I suppose I'd also want a recumbent Aluminum bicycle to start with.
Frankly though, I would just use a prop. Which would not be nearly as cool. So this is still cool :)