Custom made volkswagon powered 8x8 with sea doo pump

[chris davison]

OK the first testing of the prop. It did 2 mph with tires spinning in 2nd. No tire spin and it made a sharp left ( no rudder yet) it spun the prop easily so I can over drive it. But it flings water 5' in the air behind the boat because it is barely submerged and I broke a blade on a rock I think I need a 12.75 prop 19 pitch and overdriven with a band around it and a rudder.

[chris davison]

The wife is gone to Kansas with the truck so I can't trailer Walley to the lake so I went for a drive down to the river today. I was suprised how it climbs out of the water on a steep bank in reverse wont do it in forward because of the hull sticking out. Then I went on some muddy Quad tracks even though my tires were wider than theirs I had no problem going around trees sharp turns climbs or down hills I had a blast and comming back I hit 31 mph just as I shifted into 4th.

[kelvin]

awsome make sure you film it i hope to get mine in the water in a few days

[chris davison]

I will pick up my prop and shaft tomorrow its only a 5 min installation and it will be ready to test in the water again. Now that I dont have to reverse direction of shafts the screaming chain noise is gone. Last saturday I drove down to the river drove around in the water and pulled a tree trunk out of a dirt parking spot with my winch. Then some guy gave me his phone # and asked if I ever wanted to sell walley to give him first shot. Then I drove down a stream bed gulley with 5' walls on either side turned around and as I was driving back I thought lets see what he can do, I did a hard left and drove over the rocks and 4' high vegation hardly slipping a tire and seemingy effortless on the motor I thought thats so cool. as I climbed I was looking at the 25' level of the trees across the street. Cant wait to get in the water with the prop on.

[chris davison]

All my drive train is ready just waiting on the machining of the prop. its hard to go from a splined prop to a 7/8 shaft with a 3/16 keyway and 3/4 nut on the end.

[chris davison]

Here is a view of the prop shaft with the universal joint on it as of now the shaft is only tilted 15 Deg. downward I plan to remove that 1/4 plate of aluminum that the two bolt flange bearing is bolted to and tilt another inch downward. You can just see the screen under the hole where water came into the pump and will now come up behind the prop. I got my prop today and it is really a 13.25 dia 17 pitch right hand turn. no matter what it is it was free. so it will be a 1/1 ratio test first just like it is.

[chris davison]

I've decieded to just go ahead and put in the universal joint and bolt a 2 bolt 1" pillow block brg. to the lower plate that is under where the pump used to be. I will just let the prop hang as far below the hull as possible for testing. Eventually I will remove that aluminum plate 1/4" I had welded in to prevent rocks from bashing the pump. This will open up an 11" wide channell for water to come up behind the prop. I will use an 1.5 inch air cyl 6 inch stroke with a spring return a 3 position air valve. when the switch is up no air is used and the spring pulls the prop all the way up so none of it is below the hull and the shaft is tilted up slightly. Move the switch to the middle and the air is routed thru an regulator to balance the spring return just enough to put the shaft straight and the prop perpendicular to the hull. With the switch all the way down the air cyl goes all the way out and the prop goes below the hull.

[kelvin]

good luck let me know what ratio you have off the motor because i might try somthing like that when iget mine floating witch should be soon

[chris davison]

A friend is giving me a 11.75 dia.x19 pitch off his 90 hp outboard he bought a s/s prop so I get his to test with. First test will be with it straight out the back outside the hull sucking water from where the pump used to be, from under the hull. Then I will install a universal joint and tilt it down 5" or so. 40% of the blade will be below the hull then.

[chris davison]

Ive seen all the ones on ebay and that one is damaged and only good for decor the tip of one blade is gone other wise it would be on its way to me. But thanks for the heads up.

[kelvin]

have a look at this chris i dont know if it rated at 50hp but it may work looks a bit worn tho
9 Inch Aluminum Prop Propeller FOR Boat Ship Maritime Decor | eBay

[kelvin]

just search 50 hp prop on ebay and if its to big turn it down on a lathe or machine it on a cnc mill

[chris davison]

Well i'm done testing the seado pump and I'm done with the pump. over 7000 rpm and I can't make a bow wave to go over. 2.5 mph max just to small a pump, I could still hit max rpm and not load the motor with 2.91 ratio over drive so now I will be looking for a prop to test with. I didnt like that solid coupling either it transfered to much vibration to the frame and hull so I will be going back to a rubber spider coupling. I need a inboard aluminum prop rh rotation 3 blade for a 50 hp motor on 1" or smaller shaft. 8 to
9" in diameter thats not going to be an easy find. any ideas or questions?

[chris davison]

Machined my sprocket in a cnc mill bored it to 4" then put in 4 bolt holes on a 4.750 bolt circle all in one machine with the sprocket clamped in its vise. Brought it home and it fit perfect, so I mounted the clutch shaft back on the machine then the pump shaft aligned the sprockets and routed the chain. Im going to have to move the Idlers again but thats no problem. Going to try a solid shaft coupling this time and I already have my screen in the intake. Just about ready for testing.

[chris davison]

Just need to fold the wheels up out of the water and about 100hp Then we might just plane a little.