Wooden Micro Catamaran - Build (2) And Test Launch

Fitting into the back of a Smart car and light enough for one person to lift, innovative UK woodworker Jeremy Broun prepares his prototype canoe catamaran for an initial launch. www.woodomain.com/online-store for a unique range of video integrated e-books, some with plans including this micro catamaran project. www.woodomain.com/online-stor...

[@awldune]

Looks like a lot of fun -- amazing it fits in a Smart car!

[@shahrilangah6910]

thank you. I love it. I am also making catamaran almost like yours but a little bit bigger

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

The full build multimedia ebook includes 14 video tutorials, 6 pages of print out plans. See preview: www.woodomain.com/online-store/MICRO-CATAMARAN-PROJECT-PREVIEW-a-taster-of-the-build-emanual-for-an-electric-powered-craft-for-river-and-canal-Full-version-includes-instructions-plans-&-14-videos-p300012023

[@FedericoLucchi]

Really lightweight!! Very neat project! I will try to build something similar this summer, and equip it with a Laser sailing rig. Although I will need to give the hull a sharper profile to avoid moving sideways when reaching, and longer/wider dimensions because of the higher risk of capsizing due to the sail.

[@donaldschmidt3227]

Bravo! Great little catamaran. Hope you have great fun with it. Maybe I will build one!

[@jonbradley4789]

Mr Jeremy Broun, I appreciate your methodology, and your problem solving skills. Carry on good man. Please continue to create. Kindred spirit.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Thanks - sometimes its an uphill struggle amongst so many traditionalists! There are other more intuitive and organic ways to solve complex problems.

[@silasdogwood8395]

@@WoodomainJeremyBroun Bullshit, you uneducated little woodworker. "Intuitive" and "organic" are code words for "I'm too lazy or stupid to understand how to apply science to a practical problem.

[@mikehogi]

very nice thanx 4 sharing

[@sween187]

Gotta love duck tape, very good work must try to make one of these soon.

[@maddogharper01]

Brilliant, I love benny hill.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Oh was he in it!

[@alexandremdasilva10]

Thak you, very good!

[@dogeliminator]

BRAVO.....and I intend to do something similar....congratulations!

[@bobstone9570]

this is great

[@francoisraymondricher3201]

super and easy! best regards!...

[@mark8664]

Love your accents. Nice little boat.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Please check out my unique range of woodworking E-books that integrate video, diagrams, images, plans and experienced methodology putting presentation first: www.woodomain.com. Try out this free sample that reads like a real hardback book on a computer:www.jeremybroun.co.uk/ebooks/HTML5/awaywithwood/

[@peterxyz3541]

That’s a nice calm water... I need a mini cat 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@mis100tubos]

Learning english and enginearing at the same time,from Barcelona; have fun with your brand new boat !!!;)

[@silasdogwood8395]

Magnificent -- as long as you aren't learning English engineering! Remember HMS Hood!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Oh yes, I know it is the weak spot of epoxy resin. A varnish overcoat with UV barrier is what I intend. Probably on the hull below the waterline an added coat of 'Liquid Rubber' (Isoflex) but we are not at that stage yet. To be revealed in part three!

[@sphinkturd4024]

Pip Pip Cherrio.....Good Job Lad. Now a Jet Engine should be designed in. Maybe a nice wood rack for the car roof.

[@embersendgaming5592]

great set of videos my only question is how long are the pontoons in total

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

The e-manual on how to build the finished craft is available at: www.jeremybroun.co.uk/woodwork-courses/ebooks.htm 50 pages. Approx 100 images. 12 videos. 6 pages of A4 plans.

[@francoisraymondricher3201]

thanks!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

PLEASE WATCH PART THREE OF THIS SERIES TO SEE THE COMPLETED SEALED DESIGN. This video demonstrates the initial floatability of my design.

[@pedrokunis]

Cool!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RobotoForgoto]

Is this an episode of "last of the summer wine" ?

[@tongtong1tv]

감사합니다

[@user-yb4xn6or4k]

The hulls could use some rocker to prevent the sterns from dragging. This looks more like a planning version for higher hp. Its cool. I like anything that floats.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

The aim of the project is for woodworkers to make a simple compact micro catamaran that fits into any small car and can be assembled by the water by one person and has a good range on the batteries (20 miles). It achieves that and is not supposed to be the fastest.

[@user-yb4xn6or4k]

All of that can still be accomplished with a little rocker. That's a pretty basic tenet of displacement hulls. Not just for increased speed but also improved stability and even more stealthy for viewing wildlife as it producing less wake. Some people learn from others who have gone before them, some do not.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

There is plenty of stability and very little wake! The minimal wake doesn't affect the viewing of wildlife as one is almost gliding with the current of the river! But if you have an idea post a sketch of it to me directly - [e-mail]

[@silasdogwood8395]

I think adding rocker would be a mistake in this type of boat. The speed limit in the canal is 4 knots, so speed and efficiency really aren't important issues. The boat has very little reserve buoyancy in the stern, and adding rocker would reduce that further. Plus, adding rocker would complicate the very simple and elegant design, adding significantly to the construction time. So as I see it, adding rocker marginally increases unneeded speed and efficiency at the cost of buoyancy and construction simplicity. Not a good trade, at least in this case.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

@@silasdogwood8395 Thankyou Silas for acknowledging the whole point of this design - simplicity and fitness for purpose and as you say max speed is 4 knots!

[@karlmason1561]

Very cool! Why lay around the couch when you can be so creative and useful in life!

[@wk2w168]

It's disturbing that you would get negative comments. There's always something to learn from what others have done, even if you should disagree with his methods. As you seemed to imply, working on a project like this is not really about the final product, rather it is about the "mental juggling" and creativity that sparks the mind to the point where you're compelled to build the design that's in your head. It's a beautiful project. Congratulations.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

+wk2w Thanks for your comment. The recurring criticisms seemed to be about the drag (stern design) but this craft is designed to go on canals which have a maximum speed of 4 knots and the electric motor will achieve 7 knots. The optimum performance is around 3 knots in terms of battery duration. That's fun enough and slow enough to glide up past wild life. I think also I was told off for not listening to Roger in the video but it demonstrates two different approaches to problem solving. Roger has made his mistakes on far larger sailing craft. His point about the toe in is good but the effect negligible on a craft of this size being steered As you say there is a lot of mental juggling and the main thing was to get this craft to fit into the back of a Smart car and to be lifted in and out of the water by one person when assembled..

[@madamfirefly5501]

BRILLIANT!! great job mate always do it your way thats being creative

[@noodle3768]

Nice boat. It looks the flat end of the two floats create a lot drag. It could be more efficient and quite if the ends are tipped.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Of course I know that! If you read the comments and watch the video you will see this issue has been mentioned before - it is not necessary and would just complicate the build - the cat is designed to go on a canal where the speed limit is 4 knots.

[@thomasnewbery7449]

Love it! A thought pertaining to your steering. Why not append a vane (rudder) to the shaft of your trolling motor. It probably would stabilize its tracking and definitely make it more controllable and responsive for turning. Maybe a piece of clamped 2 to 3 mm thick x 100 mm x 200 mm tall (whatever) aluminum... very light and .... your Smart Car won't notice the extra "load" either!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

The tracking is fine with the trolling motor on the completed design. The whole point of my design is to use just two materials - aircraft plywood and off the shelf batten!. That is the whole simplicity of it. To introduce aluminium compromises its essence of ease of build. This prototype is pretty well complete in itself. Please check out the build e-manual: www.jeremybroun.co.uk/digibooks/catpreview/ebookFiles/

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Thomas Newbery The micro cat has been designed to juggle with numerous factors, one of them allowing a solo user of average build to lift it to the water, so lightness of construction was paramount and 2mm plywood perfect. Trust in my 50 + years experience of woodworking!!

[@tuhardforjuboe8223]

nice

[@rcjourneys4730]

Cool beans

[@jsmythib]

A great video- Thanks for all your ideas. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing @4:58:) ty again.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I can never understand why people laugh at the Smart Car. It is the only car that parks where others give up in over parked city streets at under 3m long. The space inside with a passenger seat folded is considerable and the car does 55mpg! It is also quality engineered. I should be asking Mercedes for sponsorship!

[@jsmythib]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun Just to clarify I wasnt laughing at the technology- I was laughing because its so itty bitty cute it makes me giggle :) -H-Hem..I normally drive and extended v8 cargo van - which would turkduckenboat that particular vehicle. Cheers!

[@jsmythib]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun Also! I would love something that well designed but there is no cost benefit for me with extra insurance and registration..and I need the other vehicle to haul carpet to pay my internet bill :)

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Jason Smith You see here in the UK we have less space so small is beautiful!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Please be aware this particular video shows the organic design of the micro catamaran and that part three shows the completed design with some changes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3_Mk6B_nZpmhq8 The detailing is covered in the e-manual that includes plans and numerous videos. You can see the taster e-manual here: www.jeremybroun.co.uk/digibooks/catpreview/ebookFiles/

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Never be without duck tape when sailing boats or flying aeroplanes!

[@francoisraymondricher3201]

sure! you're right

[@sashaparkinson3784]

boys and their toys :P love it :)

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

+Sasha Parkinson And why not girls?!! Are they missing out on the fun?

[@sashaparkinson3784]

+Woodomain - Jeremy Broun its an expression :p

[@paulstephenson5311]

You definitely need to overpaint the epoxy with varnish or paint. Epoxy is very sensitive to UV which destroys it in a very short space of time.

[@Flazhness]

A lightweight platform would have been a trampoline build. Would've loved to see that :D

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Yes of course a trampoline type platform was my first consideration but I needed a back support.

[@dennislilley5562]

The horsepower is not important On a small boat it's all about thrust and resistance Your hulls look very efficient

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Actually I am told the hulls are inefficient because they invite drag, but this sailing craft is not build for speed or efficiency but for compactness and ease of putting in and out of te water solo.. Maximum 4 knots on UK canals.

[@nicolaashartman3496]

Boat comimng out of a Smart. Briljant!

[@RayMAKES]

i've built a few boats, but nothing of material this thin....challenge accepted! just kidding, but i enjoyed the video.

[@nina-maeforde3269]

Who dares wins. Thank you

[@65616larry]

reminds me of the old Catyak s ,wonder if that is where you got the idea for this ?

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

No I don't copy others' ideas! My design evolved logically from a given space in my Smart FourTwo car of approximately 58" x 22" x 22" with the passenger seat folded down. Therefore four buoyancy "boxes" plus all the crossbeams etch had to fit into that space and to find room behind the seats to put the electric motors and batteries. The design therefore was a minimalist solution to a series of problems/challenges and the videos demonstrate the organic nature of the project. It can be made from my e-manual on my website.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun To add - I would say this design utilised about 50 years of my woodworking/designing experience. It didn't just happen!

[@Bazclub]

Hi Jeremy, great video and lovely project, I'm actually building a very similar catamaran although larger, one piece and of my own design. I am trying to build it more or less for free also using found and donated materials. I had some leftover polyester resin that i used (with strips of sheet) on the outside to sure up the glued joints and have just seen your video. Did you find the polyester delaminated from the ply when in water? or did you just see that it wasn't very strong and remove it? Epoxy is very expensive so I'm hoping that as the 4mm ply sides are glued, polyestered on the outside and siliconed on the inside that a good lot of paint coats will be enough.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I used polyester resin in ignorance instead of epoxy that bonds to wood better. It hasn't de-laminated so far but i do think it is risky longterm not so much from water pressure but collisions and choppy water and over time. its not a question of covering over with layers of paint etc - it is the inherent strength of polyester resin as a wood glue compared to epoxy resin which is standard in the boat-building industry. Test it on some scrap pieces. I recall I eventually used epoxy resin as the coating but I had to re-inforce bonds with screws.

[@Bazclub]

Thanks for the speedy reply! in honesty the resin in my case is more to stop water ingress from damaging the plywood at the joints (the only plywood i could get free was regular not marine) the pu glue, silicone and internal members should prevent the casing from pulling apart and provide enough strength (it helps I'm using 4mm ply) I also have filled the hulls with polystyrene blocks just in case there is a leak or two eventually it should stay afloat enough to get me home.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Here is an article on polyester resin versus epoxy resin. My understanding is that polyester resin isn't actually that permeable but I guess its horses for courses: goindustrial.ca/index.php/en/ipp-blog/epoxy-vs-polyester-fiberglass-resin

[@Bazclub]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun thanks for this article, very informative! I'll keep my fingers crossed the polyester holds up

[@markotter710]

A little rocker in the hulls would make it handle even better and reduce drag of the sterns pulling water behind them, as you can see the turbulence it creates/. water is lazy...it doesn't like to go around corners. keep building...little boats are fun

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Im not too bothered about the drag but needed as much volume in the floats for buoyancy I could fit into the Smart car and simplicity of construction for others to build. Speed limit on canals is 4 knots but the next design will be a racing craft!

[@rubywarrior1]

duct tape, gotta love it

[@gokhankeles8998]

Electric engine was Minn kota 30 lbs?

[@Fersomling]

Would this be ok on the high seas, and could a great white Shark tip it over?

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

No, it is designed for river and canal use but would probably be okay in a sheltered harbour.

[@silasdogwood8395]

Hopefully he tries it soon.

[@quedecree]

Nice one! How 'bout using some LiPo batteries instead of the heavy lead acid battery? When charged, they sit at 12.4v (for a 11.1v 3cell), much, much lighter and pretty cheap if sourced from someone like HobbyKing. You can use 80-90% of their capacity, rather than only being able to take a lead-acid to 50% or so. They do require care, a specific charger and a little knowledge to use safely but will end up at about 1/8th the weight of lead acid cells and can handle more current than an electric trolling motor will pull. - Just a thought! Cheers - John

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Lithium-polymer batteries were a consideration but so too was cost and maintenance. I'm advised they are tricky. The Lead Acid 'leisure' batteries although heavy to handle aren't siginficant once onboard and do give full power for most of the discharge and are vastly cheaper than LiPo.

[@quedecree]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun I would agree that they are a little tricky and are prone to bursting into flame if you charge them incorrectly! Interesting on the price - it seems to be reverse in Aus - the SLA batteries I looked at worked out at 2 -3X the cost of what I could get lipo's for - and I guess I also already had all the chargers and fittings with my RC gear. It's amazing that you can fit a boat that size with that stability in the smart car! Well done. - J

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

quedecree Thanks, its been an enjoyable project and soon hope to release a multi-media online manual of others to build it.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

quedecree I should have emigrated to Australia then! Loved my visit there a few years back Check to my video: Woodworking in Australia - Fly Away (Jeremy Broun) I will further investigate these batteries. Incidentally the e-manual on building this micro cat is about to be launched soon!

[@ngmoon11]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun h

[@BLThackrey]

HI , sorry for my ignorance but why is it a mistake to use polymer resin .. I guess you mean for construction .. Would polymer resin be ok to use as a finish? I am in a similar boat , so to say . I was going to use a polymer resin to coat my ply boat as a finnish .. is this correct or wrong .. thank you for any help you can provide .B.L

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Im not aware of using the word 'Polymer' resin, I don't know what that is. What I said was by mistake I used polyester resin which does not bond wood very well. Epoxy resin is better.

[@BLThackrey]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun sorry yes polyester .. too many projects on at once here . ok so it doesn't bond as well . cheers

[@donaldschmidt3227]

Lord B.L Thackrey Polyester resin costs less, but is not nearly as good as epoxy. Not as strong as epoxy, nor does it bond as well. Also not as easy to use, cures too fast.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Donald Schmidt Yes, there are chemicals in the wood that react slightly with polyester resin and the bond is not as good. Epoxy resin can have a fast or slow cure time but the catalyst mix is more crucial. However, epoxy resin is the material to you use for bonding and coating wood.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun Polyester resin isn't entirely impervious but the problem is longterm de-laminating. Check out this one of many forums on the subject: www.noahsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?162-Polyester-Versus-Epoxy-Resins-amp-Wooden-Boats

[@MrLeonard55]

I can't seem to get your site to show up.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

+MrLeonard55 Thanks for letting me. Sorted now as above in 'Description'

[@52memor]

I loved this Why don't you just buy a bigger car...... Smart cars are nice and cheap to run lousy in traffic accidents (high death rate) buy a car you can just pop the whole thing in OR attach a "Tow Bar." to your car and use a trailer. Thanks for sharing.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Bullshit! Where I live in a congested city it is the only car I can guarantee getting a parking space as it fits in gaps too small for others and that makes a BIG BIG difference. Also it has an extremely strong body cage fairing best in its class in crash tests on Top Gear. I do have a trailer but it is more hassle to load and park up. Please respect my experience and judgment. Or are you going to tell me I should be living in the country?

[@dedalliance1]

Make sure you store a paddle some where incase you battery every gets damaged by water, or rain or something...

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

dedaillance1: no need or room for a paddle. There is a battery condition indicator and it has not failed yet. This craft is for a river or canal. The only "damage" to the battery is of the craft sinks and there is an instant cut out switch.

[@dedalliance1]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun Guess you thought it out more than me lol. Happy sailing!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

dedalliance1 Yes the whole point of the video as to show the thoughts processes and design rationale and how a very tight brief was met. This particular video of course is not the completed craft but it seems to be the highly viewed video - perhaps because some folks hoped it would sink ha ha!

[@dedalliance1]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun That would have been a funny video if it had sank lol. Ive always wanted to make a cool little boat like that, But It always seemed like it would cost more than I'd be willing to throw into a project that could just completely fail lol.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

dedalliance1 it won't fail if you build my boat from the highly detailed pans & videos at www.jeremybroun.co.uk/woodwork-courses/micro_cat.htm

[@phalanx25]

why not just make a carrier for the roof of your car? or pull a trailer?

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Why not indeed make a roof rack. Since the project I discovered an inflatable roof rack for the Smart which I now use, but the collapsible design is still an advantage for storage in the garage.

[@bizim_eller]

👍👍🙂

[@robsycko]

I thought you were smart until I saw that car.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I will allow weak jokes on the comments!!

[@danieltheteacher]

746 Watts = 1 horsepower

[@frankstocker5475]

So British.