A Pedalo instead of a rowing dinghy ? Why not ?

sarabande

sarabande

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 May 2005
Messages
36,182
Visit site
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pedalo-Boat/222893807307?hash=item33e58196cb:g:WLcAAOSw3sVas0Kj


From the pontoon to the boat is about 250m. The present 7ft 6inches GRP dinghy is fairly standard in terms of stability, but a bit short in carrying capacity (3 persons, or two plus kit).

Can anyone think of a reason (apart from the comedic aspect :) ) why a pedalo would not be a good step forward ? No rowing (apart from spare emergency oars). Lots of space, much greater stability, and easier to step up up or down to/from the boat. Built-in buoyancy, look forward in direction of travel, etc.


And much more power from legs than arms (Oxford and Cambridge , please note).
 
Except they are designed to allow people to use all their exuberant energy in a small area by ensuring that most of the energy goes into splashing and friction and not forward motion. I'm sure it's possible to design a boat that uses leg power even more efficiently than a sliding rowing seat but it would be the opposite of a pedalo.
 
RupertW said:
Except they are designed to allow people to use all their exuberant energy in a small area by ensuring that most of the energy goes into splashing and friction and not forward motion. I'm sure it's possible to design a boat that uses leg power even more efficiently than a sliding rowing seat but it would be the opposite of a pedalo.
Click to expand...

The paddle wheel type is pretty inefficient, but there are ones with gearboxes driving propellors, that work much better.
 
RupertW said:
Except they are designed to allow people to use all their exuberant energy in a small area by ensuring that most of the energy goes into splashing and friction and not forward motion. I'm sure it's possible to design a boat that uses leg power even more efficiently than a sliding rowing seat but it would be the opposite of a pedalo.
Click to expand...

Sliding rowlocks are more efficient than sliding seats
 
laika said:
At first I thought the one I liked was a little on the pricey side simply because of the aesthetics but it must be about the going rate for a pedalo: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swan-Pedalo-Pedal-Boat-2-3-Seater-/182971960509

If I lived on a river where my boat was moored there is no way I would not have this to get me out to the mooring.
Click to expand...

Windage would be a bit of a prob with those:o

I was up early at our place on the Chesapeake and heard a cry for help. One of the kids from up the creek was trying to tow his tinny with a pedelo, but the breeze had blown him into the reeds and he was stuck. I launched one of our tinnies and towed him back to their place. Seems someone had borrowed his boat during the night and left it near us, nicking the fuel tank. Came to the conclusion there was not a lot of tractive power with a pedelo.
 
Just to commute from pontoon to mooring. I am going to look at building one.

For voyaging, I have a Tinker, the finest inflatable in the world.
 
sarabande said:
Just to commute from pontoon to mooring. I am going to look at building one.

For voyaging, I have a Tinker, the finest inflatable in the world.
Click to expand...

Look at the Hobie Mirage. Not cheap, but fast and reasonably seaworthy. Too heavy to take on board... depending. Perhaps the most practical pedal alternative.

I prefer conventional kayaks, but I have to admit these work pretty well and the drive is quite efficient. Faster than a non-racing kayak and better at carrying stuff.

Oasis_studio_slate_3qrdview_2018_png_1200x9999__generated.png

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-oasis/
 
Last edited:
thinwater said:
Look at the Hobie Mirage. Not cheap, but fast and reasonably seaworthy. Too heavy to take on board... depending. Perhaps the most practical pedal alternative.

I prefer conventional kayaks, but I have to admit these work pretty well and the drive is quite efficient. Faster than a non-racing kayak and better at carrying stuff.

View attachment 69914

https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-oasis/
Click to expand...

Wonder how it deals with shallow water/beaching?
 
Meanwhile...at Sarabande's sailing club, the family head off to the boat for a weekend's yachting...

flamingo-pedalo.jpg
 
There was a pedalo at a gite we rented a few years ago, and a nasty duck pond to take it on. All I can remember was that despite a good turn of speed if you really worked hard, it was incredibly heavy to get in and out of the water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top