Can a Hybrid Skimming Boat Revolutionize Lake Travel?

[Rothiemurchus]

Could I build a boat that skims across the surface of a lake like a stone and only needs an injection of thrust from an engine now and again to keep it going? Perhaps such a boat would have a rotating outer part and a stationary inner part for passengers.

 

[brewnog]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrofoil

 

[FredGarvin]

If it would have to spin like the stone, that would be a bit of a tough nut to crack. I can't say I have seen it done, but there's nothing saying it can't. I think there would be a lot of trial and error.

 

[waqaskhan200]

Well basically if your boat s stable in still state. then a slight motor thrust from te rear should do the trick

 

[russ_watters]

Newton's first law... if you get the drag down near zero, you won't need much thrust. But even with a hydrofoil or related concept (how 'bout a ground-effect aircraft?), your drag will still be significant.

 

[Danger]

There's also the ever-popular wing-in-ground-effect (WIGE) vehicle. It's half-way between a hydroplane and an aeroplane. Google the 'Caspian Sea Monster' for an extreme example.

edit: How'd you sneak in there like that, Russ?

 

[waqaskhan200]

Well at any drag coefficient, the highest for boat is about 0.3, a motor can handle the job

 

[Rothiemurchus]

Thr rotation of the outer part would need to be countered by the inner part turning slowly or some other way.

 

[ray b]

common ocean racers sort of do that
the boat flys between waves
thats why a throttle man is very important
to keep from over reving and blowing up the hi-powered motors
when the hull and props leaves the water
they are faster in waves then in flat water

both hydrofoil and air cussion craft don't skip