Retrieval Boat

[Ironsides]

What are you guys using to pick up the inevitable dunks.

I have used this inflatable, but it is wet.

Search and Rescue - Two Stroke (http://webhome.idirect.com/%7eironsidz/electricub.jpg)

David

[fumblethumbs]

Looks like the power source might be a little suspect, but I like your style:D ! Actually, this could be the perfect opportunity to talk the wife into an alternate rescue vehicle: "Honey, I had to buy the 20 ft. Mastercraft I/O. My planes were drowning." Actually, those small electric powered pontoon boats are great (especially if you can find one used), or as a last resort the old fishing rod with a tennis ball. But the ultimate rescue vehicle IMO would be a barge-like R/C craft with a crane (?) and enough power to fight the chop with a decent sized plane in tow:cool: . -thumbs

[peterv]

I think a nice heavy RC TugBoat with a hook at the Aft end would be good. A friend of mine who is into scale RC warships tells me they always have one on hand to pick up breakdowns when they sail. Also have a rubber raft but mine is 4 man and heavy! takes only 6 to 7 min to inflate with my field battery powered quick inflator. Always helps if some canoers are on the lake when I fly! Had to use them Sunday when I crashed my Dandy Sport on floats. The wind always blows the plane away from me!

Pete

[Fredrik W]

My idea is to build a simple RC-boat powered by a 12 V 7AH lead battery, with a geard down motor turning a big propeller, which makes it slow but with a lot of thrust. The boat should have a fishing line connected to a fishing spinning reel at its stern.

I think it should be possible to sail around the downed plane and then back to shore and then use the spinning reel to retrieve the plane.

If the plane is downed close to the shore it whould be asy to aim a hook, but if the plane is far out it could be difficult to judge the position of the plane and the boat.


// Fredrik Wergeland
Sweden
www.flyingmodels.org (http://www.flyingmodels.org)
The Great Electric Motor Test (http://www.flyingmodels.org/motortest/Link_e.htm)

[Karl B²]

I know I saw an RC retrieval boat video somewhere, maybe something Hobby Lobby was doing. It would maneuver up close, then an auxilliary channel would release a springloaded catapult, which lobbed a tennis ball on a string in an arc over the dead model.

Otherwise, I usually am prepared for some wading or swimming. :)

Karl

[temacc]

Around here, we use small aluminim boats, with a small outboard motor, or a large electric motor.

Some of the rivers and lakes are quite a bit over our heads.

Used a rubber boat once, with oars, on Vancouver Lake...I could not row strongly enough, and wound up on the other side of the lake...had to walk 5 miles back around. Bummer!

Terry

[therotund1]

Originally posted by Fredrik W
but if the plane is far out it could be difficult to judge the position of the plane and the boat.

Video cameras on planes are all the rage. Why not mount one on the retrieval boat to aim the hook with??

Dave,
full of really bad ideas...

[William A]

Sometime back I seen a retrieval 'craft' made from those toy foam noodles the kids play with in the pool.
Using 3 pieces about 2' long, they made a square shaped "U".
Laid down flat, they mount 2 motors/props on the back 2 corners.
For control, they could operate each motor independently, forward, reverse and off.

Wasn't fast, but very maneuverable.

[pondflyer]

Here's mine, almost ready to go - just flip over, launch and paddle. Actually have electric motor but the whole rig belongs to my neighbor and he's only here for the six winter months so the battery isn't always charged in the summer unless I go do it. "Good Sport Mabel", as he calls the boat, serves many purposes.
Dick:)

[jrsnow]

Will attach pic if I can figure out how. The water bike you see is an "Aqua Cycle". This is our second one, first one lasted 20 years and we bought this used for $300. The lake we live on is only five acres, but is 80 ' deep. At the end of our dock it is about 10 - 12 feet and the swim float is in 30'. Ideal for water planes. Fly off the ice in the winter. Skis on my Slow Stick and Soar Star.