NEW PATENTED SUPER BOAT

[@redshifttrucking4537]

It is so good to see this icon of boat design and building still engaging his mind and fully involved in life. Go Walt Go!

[@mikecunneen2408]

Fantastic!! Thanks for not retiring Walter 😁

[@kimobailey2926]

Great idea ! Build it !!

[@elgordo6883]

This looks very interesting. Can't wait to see what becomes of this tech. I'm a fan of Walt's from the Ran-day interviews. Go Walter!

[@brianstevens7241]

I'm from the Ran-day crowd as well.

[@hecdc305]

Huge jump forward in the boating industry led by an expert in marine engineering.

[@boooshes]

For electric motors, energy density (for energy storage on board) is still a huge factor. The comparative numbers are roughly 11,000 W-hr/kg for gasoline vs 250 W-hr/kg for Li-ion batteries. Newer battery technology will help, but there's a long way to go to make up for the difference in efficiencies claimed here. The development is, however, interesting. The best applications might be short-run commutes.

[@craigweaver583]

love your work walt ! foiling is changing all the time in americas cup as they learn more. keep up the innovation philosophy you famous for ignore the critics all the best

[@Creekrock44]

You guys nailing it. Well done to Can't wait. Shannon leading the way.

[@jreinhardmovies]

Awesome use of your expertise, time and resources Walt!

[@jonathanevans9257]

Great to see such innovative radical thinking, as a fellow boat designer with radical ideas, protecting the design from copies is the hardest most costly part!

[@hentiecraig7749]

thanks ,good job ,we need this step forward

[@robhow7962]

I'm so excited about American boat designs and dreams. In the 80s, there was a television show called "Beyond 2000" which had a surface boat like a pelican in Miami.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Walt, I know I'm being pedantic here but if your baseline efficiency if 50% and you increase it to 85% it's a 35 percentage point increase but a 70% (35/50) increase in efficiency. Neat concept but the real question is: "Can you fish off of it? anyway I enjoyed the video looks like cool concept

[@cryptoscotts]

So excited to see Walt's new venture! Bravo, (I've been a subscriber for years.)

[@AwsomeLifeofBrian]

Aerodynamics! airflow pushes against the surface which increases efficiencies!

[@KEITHDROBINSON-d2w]

Love the concept, some wind generation would help provide more power for better range or speed. Also love the sailboat in the backround, what model and make is she?

[@tinhodornellas]

But the noise. I mean a small drone makes you crazy with the prop noise, I can only imagine the ducted props. No I am sure there will be lots of design changes to decrease prop noise, so the concept deserves a chance. Good luck!

[@Kathikas1]

Yep, it was propellor noise that killed ACV (hovercaft) development all those years ago …

[@robertframe1482]

So cool. Look forward to more on this!

[@thatguy2201]

CovaConcepts has produced a prototype RC ducted fan boat as proof of concept with sights set on a full scale craft.

[@animapulcra9205]

What happens when going down wind?

[@tenlittleindians]

As soon as you get your license for a small nuclear generator you will be able to move the distances your talking about. A piece of cake. Endless supply of water to keep it cool. Those nuclear subs still prefer old fashioned propeller screws but they got more drag than you.

[@bobcornwell403]

If air propellers are so efficient, why are they not used on ships today? On this particular craft, they are definitely superior. There are no issues of cavitation and ventilation, for example. But I think that this craft will be limited to nearly ideal conditions (relatively calm waters and light winds). In high winds, especially headwinds, it would likely be in trouble. Also, it would have extremely limited payload capacity, as well as extreme vulnerability to submerged obstacles, as all hydrofoils. But, within these limitations, it would be very fast for its power.

[@aktxyz]

I recall reading somewhere that for lower speed craft (like displacement hulls) that water props would be way more efficient than air props ... and that air props get better at higher speed more easily driven hulls ... like your craft ... does that sound correct?

[@dnomyarnostaw]

Sure is. "Water propellers are generally more efficient than air propellers because water has less "slip" than air: Density: Water is about 1,000 times denser than air, so airplanes need to move more air to create the same momentum as a ship propeller moving water. "

[@miked5563]

If my combustion engine breaks down in bfe, they'll have parts. Your electric bandwagon motor, I'm screwed.

[@peterwatson3270]

Shaft horsepower is measured after many of the losses you claim. Propeller Efficiency is more complicated. In simple terms either the slower turning (larger diameter) a "water" propeller turns the more efficient it can be, think an ocean going tug. The faster turning (smaller diameter) the more efficient it is, or can be be, think Malcolm Campbells "Bluebird". The middle ground is where big losses are. Common in this are large horse power, small propellers due to typically vessel draft restrictions. But the real equation is "how much weight (weight equals comfort) is being moved"? The diesel engine is very difficult to beat - electric will never have the range or weight moving ability.

[@jimwilson8879]

Kurt Hughes and Paul Beiker have been designing and building hulls that look very similar for over a decade at least I believe. As far as a patent goes, Tom Edison filed and secured patents on other people's work too, that's nothing new. An electric wheel was patented for moon buggy, the USN prototype hydrofoils 50 years ago ? Don't pat yourself on the back too much I'm guessing you have lawyers saying this is your baby run with it. I'm still skeptical, I'd love to operate one of your boats, but not on Columbia bar or Dixon entrance

[@dnomyarnostaw]

Water propellers lose 50% of efficiency over air propellers ??? Yeah, lost your credibility there. "Water propellers are generally more efficient than air propellers because water has less "slip" than air: Density: Water is about 1,000 times denser than air, so airplanes need to move more air to create the same momentum as a ship propeller moving water. "

[@johannwolf1]

Which is why boats are so much faster than airplanes

[@dnomyarnostaw]

@johannwolf1 Um, Google the word "efficiency " Not the same thing as velocity. That's why a ton of Cargo on a container ship is far cheaper than on a plane. That's why English Channel Hydrofoils and Hovercraft have been replaced by conventional shipping

[@Raven74947]

"Nothing more efficient than an electric motor" And no energy storage less efficient than electric batteries unfortunately.

[@AntiVaganza]

he didn't say it flat out but he did mention "hybrid" so I think for now, it will have a generator burning possibly diesel to power the electric motors.

[@AwsomeLifeofBrian]

aircraft use groud effect! over the ocean!

[@Eh_Watt]

Bravo, Walt! You are doing something great here. If your life’s goal is to make the world a better place, you can officially check that box.

[@3elmas]

propellers are airscrews. They must pull/push better when the density of the medium is increased so the propeller get a better grip. What am I missing here? Why air propellers are better than water propellers? Think of yourself running on ice and running on dry tarmac which one is easier? of course the grippy medium is easier.

[@tenlittleindians]

Anyone that has swam with a pair of swim fins on knows it's easier to push water with his feet than air.

[@nwcctraining]

Didn't the Australians build a successful surface effect boat decades ago?

[@tenlittleindians]

I know the Russians built a monster with many jet engines.

[@Fr99763]

The propulsion might be more efficient, but the boat will not be practical or useful for anyone