Swappable pusher snow boat

by KD9SR | March 2, 2013 | (7) Posted in Projects

Today the weather was not good for flying, so the kids and I made a snow boat.

I have been thinking about trying to use the swappable power pod in a pusher configuration. Because mother nature did not cooperate today, we decided to build an air boat to run on the snow. Yes, the power pod worked fine as a pusher. All I had to do we reverse the motor direction and install the prop "backwards".

We made up the desing as we went along.  Construction is dollar tree foam board and hot glue.  The bottom is covered with extreme packing tape. Hinges are soda straws over bamboo skewers.  After we finished we discovered the boat and the power pod could be cut out of just one sheet of foam.  

Overall, it worked well with a 3S 1AH battery. Rudder control was not as responsive as I had wished. The rudders should be longer and/or closer to the prop center. Give it a try. It even scoots along fast on the basement floor after we added some zip ties to the bottom to reduce fruction.  

Drop me a line if you have any questions.  I hacve a few more pictures and a video of it running on the snow. 

 

Now.... someone needs to make a pusher air frame for the swappable series. Perhaps a Bixler copy? :-)

After some discussion with my children, the decision was made to add an additional rudder directly behind the prop. The results were incredible. The boat now has great control and will even do spins. Kids are having a ball.

COMMENTS

oneiwily on March 3, 2013
parkjet site have a hydrofoam that may be nice as base for the swappable

http://www.parkjets.com/hydro/

it's not pusher config but it looks nice


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NoUsername on March 3, 2013
Have you considered putting the rudders closer together? The design of the swamp buggys have two large rudders in line with the propwash from the engine.

Baron
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KD9SR on March 4, 2013
See the last pic. We added a rudder today and it was much better.
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NoUsername on March 4, 2013
Maybe Santa could trade in his sleigh for one of these?????
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mattplaneflyer on March 3, 2013
Sweet looks great! The fowl flyer swappable is a pusher plane.
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KD9SR on March 4, 2013
Thanks. I never looked at it closely. The name and the less-than-pretty (ugly) style turned me off. I check it out today and can see some possibilities. I like it all but the fuse.... perhaps I can adapt it some.

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Adib Vahedi on March 3, 2013
Wpw looks great I love the colors!

Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
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KD9SR on March 4, 2013
My daughter the artist appreciates your comments.

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Bellows on December 15, 2014
Hi , I started a thread about Air Boats in the Flite Test forum and I included a link to your article. I hope it sparks discussion,
http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?14372-FT-article-inspired-Foamboard-Air-Boat-on-SNow
LooseBruce
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Swappable pusher snow boat