Davits EFA

DougSteel Boat

We asked our viewers to help with the FEA, or Finite Element Analysis which is a computer process that predicts if a structure is adequate for a specific load. My engineering background is “that looks strong enough” and all items are measured by the number of pounds they sustained before doing permanent damage to the structure. Engineers work from the other direction. They start with a design load then build a structure in the computer and plug in a “safety factor” such as 2.5 which means the structure should actually only fail when 2.5 times it’s design load is applied. The FEA simulation identifies the portion of the structure nearest the safety factor. Unfortunately this is a complete waste of time on us farm boys who know they do this and will apply twice the recommended load with little concern.  …unless it is Chinese made.

Francys Therrien from Montreal, Quebec stepped forward and modeled our davits in CAD, ran the FEA process and generated a detailed report.  It was best to run the FEA without the attachments to the pilothouse roof, but we will attach them to the roof as they will add support to the roof as well as gain some support from the roof.  The bottom line is that each davit can be loaded with 3371 pounds and stay within the 2.5 safety factor.   So will I be willing to put 7000 pounds on one davit?   Hell Yes!

Thank you Francys!

ROV Hull Completed

DougROV, Steel Boat

 It’s finally coming together.  All the hull pieces are assembled and we’ve started running wires to the various components inside.   Once that is done we’ll take her to the lake; not to run but to simply see where she needs weight to trim her and make her just slightly positive buoyant.   Then comes the programming.  Fortunately Drew Morgan and Patrick Forringer have agreed to help out.  Drew is an engineer with an excellent grasp of electronics and Patrick is web programmer and quad-copter  racing enthusiast.  The starting point for the code can be found with other details on the ROV Controls page.

 

Boat Transport – 15 miles to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa

DougSteel Boat

Bart has a long career driving Army tanks and commercial trucks hauling oversize loads.  And he was the perfect crew member to go with me to look at some heavy hauling equipment.  We just wanted to see if it would work for hauling the boat, but now we think we might just build some wheels onto the keels.  Temporary of course.  –Doug

 

 

 

We might also haul from the aft end.  The hitch structure would need to be a little more elaborate but it provides the advantage of hauling the rudder shoe close to the truck making it easier to cross railroad tracks and other bumps in the road.

ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle work continues…

DougSteel Boat

Back to the ROV, and the first job was to remake one of hull sections.   I expect that we will be modifying parts on this ROV for a long while but I have growing confidence that it will be a real game changer in that we’ll be able to reach 3000 ft with forward and side viewing sonars for less than $5000.   There is lots of work to be done but there are lots of discoveries to be made.   Let’s get busy.

 

 

 

Seeker LIVE Jan 21, 2017

DougLive, Steel Boat

    Howdy!   We’re doing something new.   Saturday mornings at 10 am we are going to be live.   You get to ask questions, see what is going on, meet the crew and maybe a visitor.  We are in Tulsa Oklahoma which is -6 hours from GMT, so figure out what that means for you and join us.   –Doug

 

Companionway Lift and more…

DougCompanionway

I question myself when I want to add something that I have never seen on a boat.   But this one just makes a lot of sense to me, and lugging the 80 pound welder, and plasma cutter, grinders, and steel up and down the companionways has convinced me this is a really good idea.   Putting a lift into the companionways actually started because we wanted to be accessible.  While Seeker is not going to be wheel chair accessible there is still much we can do to make it more accessible and ladders are high on the no-go list for folks missing a leg or two.  So boat tradition be damned, we’re putting in lifts.    Yes, we could use the deck crane but think about all the things that have to be done before you can swing a load through a cargo hatch using hydraulics and a crane that needs to be secured.   The lift will make the trip in about 30 seconds.    So BRAVO to Russ, Eli, and Clyde that worked out the details and made the parts that got my idea from paper to steel.   There is more work to be done and refinements to be made but the first parts are in place and working.

And I did an interview with Julie from DirtPatchHeaven Click here to see it.     –Doug

 

 

Cabin Frames, Bow Roller Mods, and a Rocket Stove

DougSteel Boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes you need to slow down and relax, and when you don’t you lose $100 parts to the drill, the welder breaks down, the plasma torch dies, your laptop dies, and you catch a cold. Maybe these are good things. Maybe it’s the Universe making us slow down. And you know what? It’s right. Tools and the other things in our lives can be replaced. This moment we live in can not. It’s been a long time since I had a day to do something with my mind other than office work or boat work. Go see “Hidden Figures” …great movie. And many thanks to Bart, Clyde, Eli, and Russ. You’ll see them in the next video too where they are working on the companionway elevator.

And you can find Tom’s “Portable Steel Rocket Stove” Here