I Built a Powerful R/C Tow Boat

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[@CuthbertNibbles]

POV from the beach: a man standing on a flying paddle board doing circles on the water while shouting "Wooo! Woooo! This is a pretty good reindeer! Wooohoooo!" is making you question if Santa exists, just in a different form.

[@sortaspicey9278]

😂

[@gonzostwin1]

I agree with you

[@stephenbeck6410]

😂😂😂

[@Nono-hk3is]

23:05 "I might have to take the submarine out here" is something that very few people can say, especially *while* pump boarding behind their personal tugboat.

[@wbass243]

Did anyone else feel like that water is very sharky? I know it's an irrational fear but i hate dark quiet water :(

[@joeshmoe7967]

@@wbass243 Unlikely there would be sharks, but I agree sark water is always spooky. Even snorkling in lakes, deep dark water is creepy.

[@PeterSripol]

This is epic!! You need a giant ground effect craft to foil behind next!

[@Gulliolm]

I wasn't expecting to watch an edging video while at work... :D

[@deanmachine7971]

"I'm so close" "come on, come on" "OOOOOH" "Harder"

[@Gulliolm]

@@deanmachine7971 I was laughing so hard. Great video all around

[@SimonCrowther1]

Haha. Exactly the same.

[@okiebob5873]

That’s exactly what I thought!

[@pseudotasuki]

"My hunch is it's not gonna have enough power to get me up."

[@izzieb]

The scream at 11:01 - perfect sound effect material.

[@ThePolymath1]

almost a replacement wilhelm scream! Excitement and disappointment all at the same time.

[@brynachhogan8952]

That was such a sketchy fall too! Right over the foil 😅

[@dorusie5]

What about 6:56 to 7:02

[@lukearts2954]

That whole segment is perfect meme soundtrack

[@oasntet]

"Man thrilled about finally recovering from long-term ED."

[@SimonCrowther1]

Absolutely bloody brilliant. The problem solving, continuous improvement, and storytelling are great.

[@EvanFoiling]

Hey Daniel! You've independently discovered a "tow boogie" which a lot of guys down in LA have built to tow themselves into waves. Absolutely more fun and better for building your foil skills than an efoil!

[@connorjohnson4402]

Probably a fair bit cheaper than those since they seem to be in the 5-10k range

[@Stanton_High]

came here to say that haha

[@EvanFoiling]

@@connorjohnson4402 Recently a couple companies started selling them for that price but the people I know that have built them with efoil parts and a boogie board say they come out to around $2500.

[@hibuddy1473]

​@@connorjohnson4402 well the ones you build yourself are quite a lot cheaper

[@jtjames79]

Needs a hydrofoil to pull his hydrofoil.

[@N14LFA]

for V2 You should add some sort of GPS tracker to the board that talks to Ardupilot on the tow boat so that when you fall off and release the throttle, the boat is programmed to automatically follow the GPS location of the board to save you having to swim back to the tow boat.

[@mrbmp09]

Good idea, I see at least 2 problems to work out. 1- avoiding the rope. B- controlling when it goes "home". Following him while at the dock or in shallow water won't be good. He could use a specific remote trigger sequence to toggle the mode, like 3 quick short trigger pulls.

[@matthewprather7386]

Audible claps to control it after letting go?

[@1FISH]

@@matthewprather7386 Clapping just leaves him vulnerable to sea lion hijacking.

[@licencetoswill]

yeah with a tension sensor on the rope.

[@TheStuartstardust]

​@@mrbmp09 also the safety aspect of a set of propellers running towards you - perhaps it should stop or decrease speed close to target. On a speedboat you would do a U around the person being in water so he could grab the handle, perhaps same could be programmed, if gps is precise enough.

[@mattw_929]

My phone was in my pocket at 6:50 … had me questioning what I was watching for a second lmao

[@gavinbrodersen9088]

Came here for this

[@charbinks2089]

@@gavinbrodersen9088 same

[@ShaleAudio]

​@@gavinbrodersen9088I see what you did there.

[@41intelectual]

He knew

[@aw_dev]

@@gavinbrodersen9088 so did he 😂😂

[@oakgriff]

Hey Daniel! (And anyone curious), the anchored jugs are markes for the boundaries of an annual hydroplane race that happens on the south end of Lake Washington for Seafair! Typically the first weekend in August, so maybe you already watched em! If not, you should next year. Its loads of fun and the boats are insane

[@scrampker]

Curious if anyone ever hits them and tears them up, being that close to the surface.

[@elkneto4334]

cool, mystery solved

[@FoilFanatic42]

I found that learning to pump on that exact foil setup was pretty difficult. Newer pump setups, like the axis 1150 or similar, fly at lower speeds and make pumping way easier. Good luck!

[@TylerKaraszewski]

I'll lend him my 1150 if he wants it. I'm not that far away either (Oregon) so it would be easy to get it to him.

[@FoilFanatic42]

@@TylerKaraszewski Is it the full setup with mast, fuse, etc? He would likely need everything, but I think he'd instantly love it compared to the older slingshot setup.

[@TylerKaraszewski]

@@FoilFanatic42 i could lend him the whole setup. I have an Armstrong foil setup and a black fuse spitfire setup to use as well, he could borrow the red fuse kit and an aluminum mast and I wouldn’t miss it for a while. 😁

[@mvgiacomello]

I like how the conversation in this thread is going.

[@FoilFanatic42]

@TylerKaraszewski That's perfect. Hopefully he sees this!

[@MaxWithTheSax]

I love that you are still experimenting with the propeller designs. Those CNC propellers are absolutely beautiful.

[@Deccoyi]

18:48 do not let people hear this if they are not seeing the screen. Close your eyes and listen.

[@EatsLikeADuck]

The pure joy displayed in this video is wonderful.

[@sb...1]

You seem like you're having so much fun, your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@bradenmolloy7443]

So happy to have the music back. That’s what made this channel stand out also the high level of engineering prowess.

[@tjnucnuc]

No music. Plz

[@Hawk7886]

​@@tjnucnucthe bespoke music rules dude

[@RickyPollo]

​@@tjnucnucThe song for Toby is a literal work of art! It's so good!

[@King_Dugga]

Can you catch crabs in Lake Union/Washington? Usually those jugs just below the water are for crab traps that the crabber doesn't want anyone (ie the fish police) to know about. They just GPS tag the spot so they can find them again.

[@madsenbaum]

Yeah that's what I was thinking too

[@oakgriff]

There are actually crawfish in the lake, but no crab. Typically theyre caught up on the north end though. Those floats are actually markers for the boundaries of the hydroplane racing track that is run during Seafair!

[@tehpanda64]

make a new boat hull, from aluminum sheet that has been pressed between 2 forms. thermal epoxy an aluminum "heatsink" (block) to the aluminum hull and then to the electronics that need cooling: free water cooling.

[@NGC1433]

Sounds easy, right. Why not build a little nuclear powered spaceship while the aluminum sheets form themselves... :D

[@zeilstar]

They also make water cooled boat ESCs but maybe not big enough for pulling a human. Probably easy enough to roll your own or use some PC water cooling components for a closed loop.

[@darkairieal]

I mean he wouldn't have to do the full hull right. Just a square of aluminum sheet with rivets or nails going through the hull into another sheet under the hot electronics. everything silicone sealed. The nail/rivets would carry the heat through the hull.

[@mikebergman1817]

@@NGC1433 lol, I would bet money that Daniel could probably DIY some 3d printed hull stamps to shape some aluminum hulls😂 If anyone is going to do it, It's Daniel! Same thing with little nuclear spaceship! lol

[@boraxthe]

What would happen if you just move the rope mount forward a bit? There ought to be a good mounting point where the pull from you being dragged behind would pivot the boat backwards just the right amount to ensure that you keep the props under water

[@snjert8406]

That's what I thought too!

[@ET_AYY_LMAO]

If you pivot the boat, the thrust will become upwards, I guess it would just cause the boat to jump out of the water or skip along the surface.

[@catranger01]

You'd probably loose steering ability.

[@Subsessor]

just came to the comments to suggest the same... also that would be the way lazier way than printing and fitting whole new prop fits

[@snjert8406]

@@catranger01 with the props in the water?

[@Darilon12]

11:56 If you attach the rope higher up or further towards the front it will also lessen our even invert the rotational force pulling the props out of the water.

[@freescape08]

But wouldn't that make the boat unstable? Or is this one of those intuitively backwards things like balancing a weight on a stick?

[@Darilon12]

@@freescape08 it might. But as he moved the propellers further rearward the same logic should apply. So I'd assume that two prop configuration provides enough stability to tweak the mounting point. It's like carrying glasses on a tray. As long as you carry them with both hands stacking the glasses shouldn't be an issue.

[@MattyRut2922]

"Ansel running couldn't be putting out more than 400 watts"... friend, only you would have had that thought that at that moment.

[@Wallttor]

For me as a hydrofoiler this is so cool and I definitely see potential in this as a new wake foil x e-foil thing.

[@koenster]

all tug boats have the line connected around the middle of the vessel. so all you needed to do was move the tug lines. but again amazing video!

[@nealstephensonhiro72]

Hey great video. I think if you are hitting the point where gear reduction starts to make sense just remember the prop IS your "gearbox" and i suspect the answer lays in less pitch for those motors to reach optimum rpm. The mystery floaties: submerged markers for massive weed beds?

[@Asphyr]

The markers being submerged kinda seems like it'd just make the problem worse? Can't see them from a distance either. Maybe fishing traps, whatever the english word is for those.

[@solandri69]

For reference, when Paul MacCready made the Gossamer Albatross (first human-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel), they designed it assuming the person pedaling the prop could generate a sustained output of 1/2 horsepower (368 Watts).

[@NathanielHatley]

The issue is the duration. Sustaining that power output isn't fun.

[@tin2001]

Geez... I'm sure I could hit that for a few minutes, but my 250W ebike motor definitely gets me places a heck of a lot faster than I ever could on my own.

[@benholmquist1148]

From what I’ve learned about pumpfoil - the wings need to be MASSIVE. Double or triple the span!

[@joeshmoe7967]

I bought a bunch of RC stuff last year. I really need to tuck in this winter and build something. Original plan was an Rc camera boat, but also some time of snow surfer. watching these videos always gets me feeling motivated.

[@ilkoderez601]

Best RC engineering channel EVER!

[@rarbiart]

Those green underwater things are a cliffhanger!

[@MrBIG4D]

Wow, incredible efforts! I recommend you try what stern-drive and outboard motors use, a ventilation plate. Basically a flat plate directly above the propellers. Helps keep the surface air from entering the prop and wash.

[@davidewing9088]

You are brilliant. I have been watching you for years and I love the progression of engineering in your videos.

[@feotusobama]

Guys wake up, rctestflight has uploaded a new video.

[@sokbok]

TOBY RULES ! I watch all your videos and this was my fav. So fun and informative. I think you created a new sport. Excellent work

[@NikoMoraKamu]

the boat needs a couple of shark fins that way people who see you from afar can think of you as a marine god who rides a shark sled

[@PhilipBlank]

Ah dude this is nuts. This is the kind of iterative design I imagine high precision products like jet engines to be made with and you’re doing this all for fun and KZbin! As an engineer I love it, fuels my curiosity and obsession for detail.

[@dafoex]

7:18 Now this is pod racing!

[@jandof]

wow this is amazing! you can also change the board for something with more volume and a fast displament hull shape and you will get up on foil easier. Not to mention having a better foil higher aspect ratio and with a good camber you will glide longer and with less drag. Let me know if you need advice I have a foiling school and love what you are doing there’s so much potential! bravo

[@nuttyDesignAndFab]

You need lower Kv motors. Or a gear reduction. Also if you move the tow rope attachment point up and forward it will cause less prop ventilation.

[@MoritzWeller]

Thats hands down the greatest pumpfoil training setup ever. Awesome!

[@lasagnahog7695]

The top result when searching for an r/c tow boat costs 17,000$.

[@zacpower_9835]

im SO happy to finally see you succesfully ride the foil. every other time when it didnt work and you fell, i was like " noo dont do it like that" behind my screen 😂 and its funny to see you actually notice little details that i noticed some time ago when im windfoiling( like passing in another motorboat's propeller turbulence trail, and feeling it under the wing) now you gotta develop a new skill: seaweed dodging! (tbh i dont know if theres THAT many seaweed were you live) but were i live the seaweed are the n.1 most annoing thing, you have to get in the water, flip the board, reach the seaweed, and yeeeet it out lol 😂

[@abhaykedare7146]

That is really awesome to see you giving it a try at all different variations. Liked it.

[@aaronredbaron]

Love this! For the ESCs you can seal them with a heat sink exposed to the airflow (or water) if you don 't want to mess with water cooling but want to keep it sealed.

[@pauljs75]

Might be neat to try water cooling, but not use the outside water as its own coolant? Then that way a flat panel can be used as exposed to the external water to minimize drag and fouling, but on the inside it could have channels to maximize cooling via a closed circuit loop. So it would be a heat-exchanger, but not limited to direct contact with the powered devices needing the cooling. Sure it gives up a lot of potential efficiency in terms of surface area, but the point is you don't want it fouling up with all the crap it would be exposed to on the external surface.

[@Vastafari34]

Oh hell yeah! What a great way to start the day. I really appreciate your knowledge.

[@machine2747]

Best part was watching your skill on the foil board improve through the video. Well done!

[@EneXTioN]

2024 podracing be like 😂

[@ViiKing_]

The hacksmith did have an unfinished project of building a podracer, either by ground effect or a hydrofoil but it looks like its getting outnumbered by the votes to pick up the iron man suit mk1

[@mikealbrecht3990]

Great channel. I always get a Wright Brothers + 125 years vibe.

[@deathpyre]

6:55 Close your eyes and you know what I'm talkin about

[@morrischen5777]

All the footage feels like persoanlly having something with Daniel 😳

[@Okamika44]

I have always wanted to make this for a standard wakeboard. Seeing how much power is needed to get up makes me realize I will need more power for a wakeboard with significantly more drag. Thank you!

[@neo_the_hybrid1832]

Nice Pod Racer!

[@imwacc0834]

It's working, it's working!!!!

[@reid-qo2sz]

Well done 👍.. never give up .. and you did it in the end !.. no ya bro! .. great job all round.

[@andydelarue9344]

Fantastic, thank you for not giving up after going in the drink so many times.

[@Rocco_Kurokawa]

If you want a better pumpfoil, but not too expensive, maybe check out the Sirus XL or XXL from Gong. The bigger, the better for pumping, but you trade in a bit of maneuverability. Awesome progress on your foil skills, keep going! Very impressive.

[@heavyweather]

I second that .+get a Cruzader or some other light wind board. It will release much easier...you can start Standing on the board and even help by pumping it out of the water.

[@nimrodquimbus912]

You need to put H Foils on your Whaler.

[@willnorrissc]

Love to see ya try a spring loaded prop design that changes pitch @ a specific speed. Spring weight can be adjusted to select what speed it switches pitch.

[@MML66]

Can you create a clip about Voith Schneider fans?

[@drrock5356]

I tried dock starts for 2 years without getting it down. Time to build a tow boat! Thanks for the inspiration! Seeing you go from nothing, to got-it-down was thrilling!

[@faragar1791]

How difficult would it be to integrate a heatsink with the boat hull? That way the water the boat is floating on could also cool the electronics for you instead of using air.

[@gzklgg]

Lower the angle of attack on the props, it will allow them to spin faster and let the water flow stay attached to the prop, it might bring the duty circle up :)

[@geofrancis2001]

you need to connect the tow rope to the centre of the tow boat so it can rotate to steer, by connecting to the back your retricting it roating.

[@dfgaJK]

Soooo good! It looks to me like you need to do longer less frequent pumps (but I have no idea, I've never done it)

[@insAneTunA]

Looks like fun. For what it is that little towboat is already quite impressive. People pay around 12K for an electric surfboard. 🤣😂

[@mrbmp09]

$12k for an electric surfboard? Jesus F'n Christ !!!!!!

[@insAneTunA]

@@mrbmp09For people who can afford a 10 to 800 million dollar yacht 12K is absolutely nothing. Mere pocket change. Some yachts have a fuel tank that can store 90.000 liters of fuel. Imagine that you have to pay for that amount of fuel. And yachts above a certain size need to have a crew and a captain who all live onboard, that isn't cheap either. A small day cruiser which is just a little larger than a speedboat will cost you already somewhere between 220K and 450K.

[@connorjohnson4402]

@@mrbmp09 To be fair foiling isnt a cheap sport in it self, but Yea i mean the efoils can kinda be near that for the premium ones but it is still in the 5-8k range, they are also making a kinda tow boogie thing that is basically similar to this but is a mini jet ski with the tow rope and it having GPS control so people can get towed into waves to surf a bit easier on foils but they are also in the same price range, its not a cheap sport , but idk if its quite up on the same level of super yacht but boating can be a pricy endeavor but it doesnt always have to be. Its about priorities in the end really.

[@Lakehouseobust]

I loved everything about this video. Great idea, good improvements along the way, and the joy involved made me jealous. I wish I could build the same thing here. Well done!

[@Vastafari34]

Wont the max speed be different under different masses. Like wont a prop that had the max speed pushing a boat of one weight, potentially not have the same torque curve for a boat with more mass?

[@flyguy8791]

Stuck through to the very end because I had a feeling there was going to be a Towby song; was not disappointed. Awesome build Daniel!

[@creesch]

Awesome video :) Just as an FYI, I believe that by law (Federal regulation) you are obligated to disclose all sponsors. You did for PCBway but I am pretty sure onshape is also sponsoring you as well given the referral link. Frankly, even if it is not required, it feels more honest to me if you did.

[@robtomben]

Hall monitor

[@creesch]

@@robtomben don't be an idiot. Not following these regulations has gotten content creators in trouble. I just noticed it, figured I'd give the heads-up.

[@killsalot78]

@@creesch you literally don't even know what is and isn't required, you admit in your post. why is this comment section full of trolls this morning?

[@creesch]

@@killsalot78 I am not trolling, you however are jumping awfully quick to the wrong conclusion. If someone says "I believe" it does not mean they are unsure. They are just phrasing it nicely. So, just for you, let me be clear. I know for a fact that by Federal regulations it is required to disclose sponsorships. If you are still confused because I also said that last sentence containing "even if it is not required". That is just me saying that in the hypothetical scenario where there is no law, I personally think it is the correct thing to do. Simply because it makes for a more honest message overall. Might I suggest that instead of going around calling people trolls you work a tiny bit on your reading comprehension skills? Or, if you already posses those skills, that you actually apply them before responding to something? That would be much appreciated 👍

[@bobhawkey3783]

Your joy at first getting 'on foil' was wonderful. Thanks as always for a morning smile.😊

[@geekazoid47]

Dude the level of your builds has come so far. Really fun to see after all these years.

[@nedretrop2173]

The plastic jugs underwater are for the Bouy's set up during the Hydro races in August. :)

[@jasonnassichuk8319]

One of the prop design elements I think you are missing out on is Disc area Ratio, this is related to blade pressure, you have been focusing a lot on finding the most efficient prop, but not the ones that can do the most work. you'll notice that many high load props have wider blades, this obviously is not great for efficiency but it does help when trying to get more power into the water, and increasing your duty cycle.

[@defdaz]

This is easily the most fun I've seen you have so far. Fantastic!!! Congrats!

[@Nanocosm]

Listening to you experiment with props, voltage and drag is incredibly useful. You have a good intuitive understanding of how systems that use BLDCs work. Thanks

[@fredio54]

Record without wind assist or wave assist is single digit minutes, 2-3 for most fit people, FYI Well done, great footage!

[@jimmcdougall9973]

Your determination definitely paid off. Excellent! Now go back to an efoil, even if you have to put a fixed handlebar on it, you’ll master it in no time. Thanks for the great, informative and entertaining videos.

[@RepRapper]

I have really enjoyed your videos for many years now. Keep up the good work!

[@hydrostream76]

Beautiful ! I learned to ski, and barefoot , behind boats that i built , when i was in my teens and 20's great feeling ,

[@Tindurbox]

Only having watched the first 5min, I'm imagining a cool control-line style streering solution with something like a bike brake handle to control the rudder. Obviously an RC solution is easier, but would be fun to build. I've watched a few people on E-foils from the shores of Tahoe. It doesn't look like any fun, tbh, but RCTF's dedication to the foil and learning to pump foil makes me think there is something to it that you just have to experience yourself to understand. Very cool project, as always!

[@rickwovrosh6265]

I thought I was crazy, until I started watching your videos. You don't think outside the box, YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX! You are inspiring.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

I love your experimental science. You have such great fun doing it.

[@ColinChick]

What a fun, fantastic, fascinating, and often hilarious video, capped off with a wonderful song! Terrific.

[@leGringoo]

I remember Daniel (rctestflight) had a similar issue with the MPP charge controller overcharging the battery. Can’t remember how he fixed it but he definitely contacted the company on that issue to find a workaround. Loved the whole video and your project setup, having one small error to cause the total crash is really devastating. From what I remember Daniel left the solar plane because of the fragile cells and having achieved his goal of one sustained flight.

[@Michaelg1108]

Love the song at the end, wish it went longer

[@atakanbodur9067]

This might be the best youtube video i have ever watch.

[@MrChungminhtu]

Summer never ends in this chanel. Great content!

[@samijacquin8814]

that video was awesome from start to finish, first video i watch from you and i wanna watch them all now, i love foiling, wakeboard and building things ! a fun challenge could be letting go of the rope making a full circle around the boat, picking up the handle in the water continue to pump while accelerating the boat until it reaches speed and continue riding normally cheers!

[@jaysont96]

I think you would have better performance with a low pitch 4 bladed prop. Specifically one designed to mimic the props on wakeboarding boats. Those props are able to generate a tremendous amount of torque at the expense of top speed. But if your motors are only operating at 40% of their potential then the could afford to spin faster to reach your desired speed, especially given that the props would be “geared low”. Great video!

[@erbartlett]

You need the slingshot infinity 99 front wing. I think larger chord length ( if I recall correctly) has a lower lift speed for foils. I think you’re on the quantum 100 that’s higher aspect ratio and would have more glide when you’re up and riding

[@CamStLouis]

New contender for greatest out-of-context audio. "It's getting me up!" "I'm pumping, I'm pumping!" 🤣

[@mutantthegreat7963]

These videos are both informative, interesting and hilarious. Keep it up mate.

[@KitcloudkickerJr]

If there is a reason to pay fopr the internet, its this channel. such a joy

[@yannickver]

what a lovely video, you are probably the youtuber having most fun during work ;-).

[@deanedeane4318]

Friggin awesome Simon ! Your Persistance pays off yet again ! Great job !😉🙃😎 NZ

[@pierre-luca]

I totally like your type of videos. It is a combination of fun, surf and deep analysis

[@11000038]

I just love your content. The work you put in is amazing. You talk us through the processes and don't bog down in stupidity like talking to camera in the car. Liked & subscribed.

[@enzobrown2368]

The things underwater are milk jugs. In that spot they’re used for the log boom. There’s some out in the middle too that are used to anchor the buoys that make up the hydroplane track for seafair. My dad used to scuba dive on those milk jugs to set up the course and log boom. There’s another log boom spot up by Coleman park, lots of sunglasses and other interesting stuff on the bottom near the log booms.

[@Joeyzoom]

Idk why but I'm super impressed you're doing all that without a life jacket. Cheers 🍻

[@NickNam3]

Awesome video, crazy how something so small has soo much power.

[@masonaulik7232]

It’s very simple. I see rctestflight video, I click.

[@robertcringely7348]

I love your stream-of-consciousness narration style. What an exciting life you lead!

[@tracybowling1156]

I bet you slept very well on the nights you were out on the water! It looks like so much fun!