Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Working Floating Dock  (Read 10083 times)

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Working Floating Dock
« on: December 20, 2011, 02:10:16 pm »

Have started a build of a floating dock (hopefully an operational one) It will be freelance, based on memories of one that used to be at Garelochead in the 60's. I will post some photo's, when there is more than just bits of plywood cut and being cut to size. It will be about 48 inches long, 30 inches broad and 15 inches high. Any hints or tips gratefully received.  O0 O0 At the moment I am trying to decide on either water pumps or free filling with air pumps to empty the ballast tanks  {:-{ {:-{
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Xtian29

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 511
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2011, 02:48:17 pm »

Hello

Very nice project, I like it so much, I've the project to built a semi-submersible barge.

Don't forget to think about Archimedes and with one liter of water ballast you will only sink the dock for one liter volume ... That means a fool wood structure even full of water will still float !

You will need also hard ballast, please think twice on paper sheet with Archimedes in mind and volume calculations prior starting a structure.

I have seen a floating dry dock in exibition, I will try to found my pictures of it. It was working very well.

Xtian  (I'm graduated naval architec ... but then worked only a couple of years in this branch ... crisis ? what crisis  :embarrassed:

Logged

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2011, 06:08:26 pm »

Hi Xtian, I intend to have some of the chambers that flood above the level that I will require the dock to submerge to. Hopefully this will provide the correct amount of ballast, to get the vessel down deep enough. To allow a ship to enter and then be lifted clear of the water.
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2011, 06:20:08 pm »

If you were to use lead flashing as the dock floor you might get away with pumping uphill .
If you end up with slight positive buoyancy it will make it easier to submerge.

Ned
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

Xtian29

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 511
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2011, 06:42:11 pm »

Hi Geids.

I'm reassured that you calculated and think well your project, I've seen a couple of "silly projects" one with a Mighty Servant III which is just an insult to Archimedes ... The other one is a semi-sub oil rig with same kind of unprepared work. A lot of will power and drem : let's go with wood, tools, pictures of the real one ... and a result out of Archimedes laws again !

What is the size of your dock and what weight for the lifted ship on it ?

Please post pics, I really like this kind of challenge, I used to have a student work on floating dock stability and it's a nice souvenir, don't forget to lift and sink it not horizontally to avoid lost of stability in one time.

Xtian 
Logged

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2011, 11:56:39 pm »

Total rebuild started, not happy with sizes.  <:( <:( Will now still be 48 inches long, but 20 inch broad and 20 inch high. This will hopefully allow for 6 inch of water above the deck when the dock is submerged. This should still also allow vessels with up to a 12 beam to enter the dock.  :D :D
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Umi_Ryuzuki

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2011, 12:29:27 am »

Good idea on the resize.
One of the guys had one here in the "states".
There weren't too many boats that would fit, but it worked really well.

 :-)
Logged

pugwash

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2011, 01:06:54 am »

a few pics here of AFD 22 may be of use to you.

Geoff


http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/BPF-EIF/Galleries/Gallery_AFD22.htm
Logged

bobk

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2011, 01:12:46 am »

I will be following this one with interest.  Some of the principles will be similar to a model submarine, in that it will have to take on enough water ballast to reach a stable trim depth, but it will also have to not only discharge enough water to fully 'surface' but in addition an equivalent weight of water for the boat it will lift.  Stability could be a big problem.  Great challenge though.
Logged

derekwarner

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 9,464
  • Location: Wollongong Australia
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2011, 02:30:01 am »

@ GID....we had a British designed ....built in OZ floating dock......for 70 years & still in operation :kiss: ...naturally this was in addition to our Captain Cook graving dock.......the largest at the time in the southern hemisphere  :-))

As others have mentioned........the design calculations for a floating dock are far more complicated than first appears......... Derek
Logged
Derek Warner

Honorary Secretary [Retired]
Illawarra Live Steamers Co-op
Australia
www.ils.org.au

Xtian29

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 511
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2011, 03:09:26 pm »

Hello

I've find the pics I took some years ago of a model floating dry dock.  The actual owner (on the pic) is not the builder (both are Dutch) , then the model was shorter when built and jumboized later.  It works perfectly with batteries and command outside the dock - the pumps are aboard (wirred connected).

It was at the Poitier (France)  exibition Modelexpo in 2007

Really nice place with also the harbour owned by the BMB, the club I'm member - http://bmb29.free.fr/http://bmb29.free.fr/LEPORT.html









A+ Xtian
 
Logged

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2011, 08:43:01 pm »

Hi, Thanks for the photo's Pugwash. Xtian, I see in the photo's the dock seem's to be attached to the shore, do you know if that was the power or air supply? At present I am working on sealing x4 12 volt batteries, 1 will be secured at each of the bottom corner's of the dock. Hopefully providing ballast and additional stability due to them being as low down as possible.
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Xtian29

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 511
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2011, 09:04:17 pm »

The "attach" to the shore is only electrical power to the pumps onboard the dock.
Logged

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2011, 01:13:08 pm »

Hi, had all sorts of idea's for making watertight compartments for the batteries. Most involved quite a bit of work  <:( <:( however was shopping in Asda today and spotted plastic containers with lock-down lids. Had them weighted down in the bottom of the bath for a couple of hours, not a drop of water in them. So 4 containers at £1 each has saved a lot of effort.  :-)) :-))
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2012, 01:04:56 pm »

Finally starting to take shape, after many changes. Gave up any idea's regarding scale, as I reckon there would have only been about 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inch of water above the deck when the dock was submerged. Basic sizes are 48 inch long, side compartment are 5 1/2 inch wide and 19 inch high. Deck is 16 inch wide and 1 1/4 deep. Deck will be free flooding, side compartment will be free flooding to 6 inch from top. 1 12 volt battery at the bottom of all four corners for power and ballast/stability. Servo controlled valve's to allow air to vent when submerging and two air pumps to hopefully raise it, and it's passenger out of the water.
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

pugwash

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #15 on: January 13, 2012, 01:24:56 pm »

please just keep the photos coming as the build progresses - this should be very interesting

Geoff
Logged

DickyD

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,423
  • www.srcmbc.org.uk
  • Location: Southampton UK
    • SRCMBC
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #16 on: January 13, 2012, 01:47:47 pm »

please just keep the photos coming as the build progresses - this should be very interesting

Geoff
What three at a time Geoff ?  {-) {-)
Logged
Richard Solent Radio Controlled Model Boat Club http://www.srcmbc.org.uk

Tug-Kenny RIP

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7,625
  • Location: Newport. S Wales
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #17 on: January 13, 2012, 03:11:16 pm »


We are getting a lot of duplicated posts.  Some sort of Computer error, even duplicates me. (that won't please the Wife !!)   %)

ken
Logged
Despite the high cost of living   .......... It remains popular

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2012, 04:27:49 pm »

Hi, slow progress due to our wonderful Scottish weather . Son say's i'm a wimp, while I don't mind it being a bit cold, but when glue will either get washed away or freeze before getting a chance to dry, even I call it a day. Due to it's size, I have to work outside on it. If I was still in John Browns (now Clydebank College and a lot of waste ground) I would say the vessel is now off the slipway and in the fitting out basin. The 6mm screwed rod that can be seen is to stop the 'H' shape of the dock flexing when in operation. I have laid two 24 inch ruler's end to end to give a better impression of size and why I have to work outside on it.

John
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #19 on: February 11, 2012, 04:43:58 pm »

At last, weather has improved (above freezing and not pouring with rain) Have started installing the "works" Remote controlled 360 LPH sump pump and after a great deal of highly technical discussion and head scratching, it was suggested to me to use the item in question to control the inflow of water. No home should be without one? Just to connect a bit of 19mm hose from the pump to the one way valve, and I should be able to get the sides on.
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Norseman

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,466
  • Location: Huyton, Liverpool
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2012, 01:04:57 pm »

Hi John

What do you estimate it will weigh? Just for transport I mean and not ballasted.
This is an interesting subject you have chosen.

Dave
Logged

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2012, 04:16:35 pm »

It should weigh in at about 35-40 lbs, I have fitted wheels on the bottom to assist with moving. I don't think the weight is going to be the problem, but it's size. It will fit in the car but will require two to get it in and out.
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

geids

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 61
  • Location: Kilmartin
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #22 on: March 05, 2012, 04:31:53 pm »

At last. It will sink and better yet, it comes back up again carrying a passenger. Next step is to test it in the clubs pond. If all goes well, I will start working on the cosmetic side of things.


John
Logged
If it ain't broke it ain't mine

Umi_Ryuzuki

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2012, 05:45:09 pm »

Very nice, How long does it take to settle and then refloat?

 :-)
Logged

tugnut

  • Guest
Re: Working Floating Dock
« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2012, 08:58:34 pm »

Very interesting  O0what a great build,
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.092 seconds with 22 queries.