New boats for 2008?

[epugh66]

Oops, with a baby on my lap, I forgot to add the pic.

[Composite Specialties]

Excellent

That looks excellent Eric, especially the arched sides.

[HRTV]

Would it be a dream to think we might see some sort of lay down capsule in the next few years? the latest Pugh design seems to be heading in that direction. Is this feasible can it be done?

[Composite Specialties]

Been Tried

It has been tried already in the late 80's or early 90's if I remember correctly by Apel. He built a laydown with the enclosure and was strapped in somehow but I believe the issue was that there was no way to tighten the belts or release the belts. It has been a while so I am not sure of the details.

The issue I have seen with nice safe center sections like this is that no one really wants to pay for this technology and this stuff is not cheap to make so you end up spending a lot of money on molds and plugs and no one buys the product.

[HRTV]

It has been tried already in the late 80's or early 90's if I remember correctly by Apel. He built a laydown with the enclosure and was strapped in somehow but I believe the issue was that there was no way to tighten the belts or release the belts. It has been a while so I am not sure of the details.

Thanks Marc,

I guess the driver would have to placed in the capsule "bobsled" fashion but then the weight would be to far from the nose?

[David Weaver]

Value

The issue I have seen with nice safe center sections like this is that no one really wants to pay for this technology and this stuff is not cheap to make so you end up spending a lot of money on molds and plugs and no one buys the product.

Marc,

Could the cockpit be re-used? If so, it seems to me that there could be a good value prospect here. Re-use the cockpit on a more updated haul design.

But even without that, I believe this could be the way to go and will be investigating more as I look forward to the next boat.

[HRTV]

Marc,

Could the cockpit be re-used? If so, it seems to me that there could be a good value prospect here. Re-use the cockpit on a more updated haul design.

But even without that, I believe this could be the way to go and will be investigating more as I look forward to the next boat.

Hey David,

Any thoughts on my idea above your post.

[David Weaver]

First Thought....

Hey David,

Any thoughts on my idea above your post.

....that comes to mind is "You First"

[HRTV]

....that comes to mind is "You First"

No thanks

[nicf14]

A lay down capsule is not legal, the drivers seat back must a minimum of 45 degrees.

[Al Peffley]

Can You Share the Plug Dimensions?

How wide will the interior be in the front at the steering wheel area for the new hull design? The Euro boats have imbedded steering lines to keep the wheel low and the front driving area roomy (19-20 inches wide) compared to 16 or 17 inches in most US laydown hydro designs. Are you planning on setting the hull up for modified LeMans starts and tight corners? I have been dreaming about a capsule laydown for a long time -- one that can be separated from the hull with explosive pins when a high-G force is applied in a blow-over, sponson stuff, or violent roll-over to protect the driver from high speed impact and blunt force trauma with the water surface and bottom of the lake or river...

Al

[gpugh6]

This whole project started while talking to james aderholdt from his hospital bed, he wasn't to happy about being run over. I opened my big mouth and said I thought I could do something about it, he called back and said he would take one! And while you are at it, Bartek Marzalek wants one.
First of all, it is not possible to have a laydown capsule, your spine has to be strapped to a properly contoured surface.
I designed this cockpit to help in collisions, something that seems to be happening more often than use to. It has curved walls which add strength and maybe a little deflection. It is layed up with kevlar and carbon fiber and vacuumed like a capsule. There are inner composite panels that fill in the extra width added by the curved walls to hold the driver in place and adding another layer of protection. It is wide enough for david weavers shoulders and opens up in front of the inner panels giving extra elbow room.
I feel like it will take a pretty good impact, more so than the current uim practice of adding kevlar to the outside of wood, but cutting lightening holes below the deck, causing the wall to sheer at deckline.
Of course, if you fall out of the boat, you are on your own!
Seriously though, If you want a capsule, you have to sit down, it works pretty good. If you want to laydown, then this cockpit is going up a level in safety as is marc's composite cockpit. And like he says, it is an expensive project, but as david suggests the cockpit can be reused, just add new wood.
I have been pretty excited about this project, and eric will be posting step by step photos of the construction, for all to enjoy. No, I am not worried about giving out too many secrets, a guy would have to be crazy to want to build a boat!

Gary Pugh

[epugh66]

Hooray, Gary remembered his password!

[HRTV]

This whole project started while talking to james aderholdt from his hospital bed, he wasn't to happy about being run over. I opened my big mouth and said I thought I could do something about it, he called back and said he would take one! And while you are at it, Bartek Marzalek wants one.
First of all, it is not possible to have a laydown capsule, your spine has to be strapped to a properly contoured surface.
I designed this cockpit to help in collisions, something that seems to be happening more often than use to. It has curved walls which add strength and maybe a little deflection. It is layed up with kevlar and carbon fiber and vacuumed like a capsule. There are inner composite panels that fill in the extra width added by the curved walls to hold the driver in place and adding another layer of protection. It is wide enough for david weavers shoulders and opens up in front of the inner panels giving extra elbow room.
I feel like it will take a pretty good impact, more so than the current uim practice of adding kevlar to the outside of wood, but cutting lightening holes below the deck, causing the wall to sheer at deckline.
Of course, if you fall out of the boat, you are on your own!
Seriously though, If you want a capsule, you have to sit down, it works pretty good. If you want to laydown, then this cockpit is going up a level in safety as is marc's composite cockpit. And like he says, it is an expensive project, but as david suggests the cockpit can be reused, just add new wood.
I have been pretty excited about this project, and eric will be posting step by step photos of the construction, for all to enjoy. No, I am not worried about giving out too many secrets, a guy would have to be crazy to want to build a boat!

Gary Pugh

Wow! Gary Pugh on HR

[epugh66]

I'd like to add, these are the WORLD RELEASE photos...sounds impressive, huh?
These are some shots of the boat for Bartek Marszalek, Waldermar's son.