Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
Can a cat boat be built with a blow out hinge flap to prevent a blow over? >

Can a cat boat be built with a blow out hinge flap to prevent a blow over?

Notices

Can a cat boat be built with a blow out hinge flap to prevent a blow over?

Old 11-09-2011, 08:58 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vermilion, OH
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Can a cat boat be built with a blow out hinge flap to prevent a blow over?

After reading about the tragedy today just got me re thinking to ask. Sorry might be bad timing to ask.
Can a cat boat be built with a big flap in between the sponsons that releases at a certain angle to let the air blow thru to prevent a blow over? Would it work? Would all the structual support be lost?
whoya is offline  
Old 11-09-2011, 09:13 PM
  #2  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Jolley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Cass Lake Michigan
Posts: 1,430
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Wish it could.......... Dynamics are hard things to manage.......
Jolley is offline  
Old 11-09-2011, 09:19 PM
  #3  
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tonawanda NY
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Plus the angle would never be right, boat will hardly ever fly the same way,
88242LS is offline  
Old 11-09-2011, 09:44 PM
  #4  
Registered
 
SS930's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: At the office.
Posts: 6,679
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I'm not going to touch or comment on today's tragedy, but I will say that the instant too much air gets under that hull no amount of pulling the sticks back was stopping that flip. Having four heavy BB's in the back of it probably didnt help matters. Anyway...

To the OP's point what could be done is install a computer controlled wing or foil in the front of the cat that has the ability to monitor and alter the hull stability and pitch. Ideally you want to be running at that point where it almost ready to flip (for max speed), but that's obviously not safe or practical to think it could be safely done. With a computer controlled foil theoretically it could let the cat run closer to the edge and react with more precision and speed than a human could.

I think Copeland's Phenomenon used a similar engineering exercise, but I dont think it's ever been proven to work. With enough time, money, and engineering I'm certain it could work... But then again we're taking about an industry that is still working on converting from carbs to FI and just now learning of this novel contraption called a turbo, so dont expect to see computer controlled wings anytime soon from Skater or anyone else.
SS930 is offline  
Old 11-09-2011, 10:19 PM
  #5  
Rob
VIP Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Strip Poker 388's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Ms
Posts: 21,632
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

I've seen a video of some sort of parachute that deployes when it tilts.
I personaly dont think it would work.
__________________
.

The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.
Strip Poker 388 is offline  
Old 11-10-2011, 01:00 AM
  #6  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Mounting such a big wing in the tunnel (should be pretty thick to notice its downforce) could be ripped out in the rough ,I, don,t say its impossible ,but its going to need one heck of a construction to keep it there.
I do think its still a good idea for safety if it can be worked out
stirling is offline  
Old 11-10-2011, 02:01 AM
  #7  
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I think most of the big Buzzi Cats had one.
olli is offline  
Old 11-10-2011, 07:30 AM
  #8  
Driver-441
Racer
 
TeamSaris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Lake George
Posts: 11,838
Received 1,053 Likes on 277 Posts
Default

Thats great until it trips and stuffs the boat.
TeamSaris is offline  
Old 11-10-2011, 07:39 AM
  #9  
VIP Member
VIP Member
 
BraceYourself's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oh
Posts: 1,057
Received 36 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

These cats at the speeds they're running are practically aircraft. I think the idea could easily be done. The weight and momentum is going forward. To change the pitch does not take much force. Look at airplane controll surfaces. Pretty small in comparison to the plane and can change all directions accept reverse in a split second. Computer controlled could work. The idea of a cat is to run level almost all the time. The wing could be constantly correcting for pictch. Just like an airplane does on auto pilot.

For instance... A wave smashes the bow up. Instantly the wing pushes it down but then can counter act if it senses it to be pushing the nose down to hard or "fast". Planes can change there pitch to go from a 1000fpm to 0fpm to capture an assigned altitude.
With todays WASS GPS and its (continuing to get better) the precision from the water could be there. Along with sensors to account for waves.

But like whats been said before... It takes money and this sport is to small to see the development come to life.

Last edited by BraceYourself; 11-10-2011 at 07:46 AM.
BraceYourself is offline  
Old 11-10-2011, 07:51 AM
  #10  
GLH
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
 
GLH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Burlington, VT
Posts: 15,272
Received 19 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

You'll never perfect any vehicle (car, boat & plane) for all eventualities.

Go for a ride in a 1962 car with no headrest, no seatbelts, no airbags, no crumple zones and see how safe you feel. People still get wiped out in cars... Actually just ride a motorcycle...

Things evolve relating to protection with experience and technologies, sometimes expensive "feel good" legislation but I doubt we will cover all scenarios.
GLH is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.