Leviathan Airboat

[Sariel]

So, I had this idea for a realistic airboat. But it kind of failed against realistic wind.

Photos & reading: http://sariel.pl/2014/04/leviathan-airboat/

[drdesignz]

That's cool. Is there a GoPro mount for Lego you can buy, or did you rig up something yourself?

[Sariel]

The latter:

[Doc_Brown]

Two mocs with the same hull! Fantastic!

Looks like a really good idea, just a shame about the weather.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Impressive work Sariel ....and amazig videos as always!

[zux]

I'm not sure if it is realistic, but why not to try combining both types of propellers - one in water and second one above. I mean this one and another from your previous MOC. Should be a beast for any conditions.

[Sariel]

why not to try combining both types of propellers - one in water and second one above.

Seems pointless to me. Propeller in water makes sure the boat can fight wind, but at the same time adds extra drag. It's reducing that drag that is the whole point of airboat.

[Jody Meyer]

I would not call that a fail at all, I would call that a prototype in the making, excellent idea, worked well with the go pro, how much heavier was it with it up front?

[Blakbird]

Seems pointless to me. Propeller in water makes sure the boat can fight wind, but at the same time adds extra drag. It's reducing that drag that is the whole point of airboat.

In my experience, the point of an airboat is to operate in water filled with obstacles. For example, the Everglades are full of grass and plants so a conventional propellor cannot be used. An airboat has a very shallow draft and a flat bottom.

[Sariel]

how much heavier was it with it up front?

The GoPro 3 with the watertight housing on is like 120 grams.

[KirTech LAB]

Great MOC! I forecast after normal wind you'll master the Solar wind...

[Blastem]

Nice boat, perfect for short-bottom waterplaces!

Edited April 21, 2014 by Blastem

[Hrafn]

For large, low-draft boats there are a couple of other options, but they're not one piece so they're more likely to leak and sink. There are some modular 22-wide ship units, and for extremely low draft you might be able to use the (24 studs wide?) hovercraft base (probably inverted, with the gaps covered by 8x16 tiles). The latter would probably leak and might not have enough draft, though.