Opinions please...

Let's say that a human can produce about 100watts by turning a handle while in a dinghy. The bit about gears is a smokescreen.

A 4 horsepower outboard is very nearly 3000 watts.

Do you need to do the maths to a high degree of accuracy ?
 
sarabande said:
Let's say that a human can produce about 100watts by turning a handle while in a dinghy. The bit about gears is a smokescreen.

A 4 horsepower outboard is very nearly 3000 watts.

Do you need to do the maths to a high degree of accuracy ?
Click to expand...

I was once told an energetic human can develop nearly 1 kW. No idea if the device works, but cannot see why not. Similar really to a pedalo I would guess, so not particularly effective on larger boats.

Possible advantage over oars would be ability to work in a confined space. But I think oars are probably more fun.
 
CornishJohn said:
I was once told an energetic human can develop nearly 1 kW. No idea if the device works, but cannot see why not. Similar really to a pedalo I would guess, so not particularly effective on larger boats.
Click to expand...

I think your informant is mixing horses and humans. 100W is a good steady power output for hom. sap.
 
Last year, on the Kennet & Avon canal at Bradford on Avon, there was a canal boat with a bicycle mounted near the stern that drove a single paddle wheel, and looked like the boats only means of propulsion. Granted, it didn't move very fast, but it looked a great way to keep fit, and environmentally friendly. :)
 
CornishJohn said:
I was once told an energetic human can develop nearly 1 kW. No idea if the device works, but cannot see why not. Similar really to a pedalo I would guess, so not particularly effective on larger boats.

Possible advantage over oars would be ability to work in a confined space. But I think oars are probably more fun.
Click to expand...

I'm a pretty strong cyclist and I can sprint for 10-15 seconds at 1kW - My average over a longer period is more like 250W. I certainly wouldn't want to punch into wind or tide using a crank handle.
 
Rustyknight said:
Last year, on the Kennet & Avon canal at Bradford on Avon, there was a canal boat with a bicycle mounted near the stern that drove a single paddle wheel, and looked like the boats only means of propulsion. Granted, it didn't move very fast, but it looked a great way to keep fit, and environmentally friendly. :)
Click to expand...
Based on the Rattler v Alecto trials in 1845, connecting the bike to a screw rather than paddles might work better but setting up the gear train and shaft would be more complicated.
 
I remember bicycle dynamos for lighting. An awful lot of effort was required for not a lot of light. It made me realise the power of machines compared to man. I can't remember if there was a back up battery for stopping at traffic lights.

I enjoy rowing where the mechanical advantage pays off.
 
LONG_KEELER said:
I remember bicycle dynamos for lighting. An awful lot of effort was required for not a lot of light. It made me realise the power of machines compared to man. I can't remember if there was a back up battery for stopping at traffic lights.

I enjoy rowing where the mechanical advantage pays off.
"I can't remember if there was a back up battery for stopping at traffic lights. "

There wasn't. A work colleague was killed going home on his bike on a dark wet evening, run over when waiting at a junction with no light displayed.
Click to expand...
 
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