T-Pain Is On A Boat: Re: [Electric Boats] project - hands-free electric fishing boat for shallow water

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Re: [Electric Boats] project - hands-free electric fishing boat for shallow water

Hi John,

I watched your video - pretty cool. I never would have guessed the augers would work so well. I'm not a fisherman but it looks very well though out for anglers.

Being an engineer though, I would like to see actual speed vs. power data taken with a GPS and an ammeter. Your claim of 5 -7 knots seems optimistic. Also, weight of the complete boat would be good to know for someone contemplating carrying it from his pick-up bed to the water. Can the battery be easily removed to make carrying easier?

My $0.02 ( and maybe not worth that) is try to go forward with the kit and plans idea. Is there an inexpensive stock fishing kayak (meant for a paddle) that could be modified either by you or by your kit customer? I presume the kit idea is based on the folding kayak in the video; how about a simple plywood version for people more comfortable with wood? How about a kit that would adapt to a plastic or aluminum canoe? There are a million of those laying around. The least cost boat is the one your potential kit customer already has.

Messing About In Boats is a small magazine with very cheap advertising rates and about 3,000 subscribers. There may be niche markets where fishing is popular in shallow weedy water. Another thought is exhibiting at fishing or outdoor sports shows where you could sell the kit direct. Maybe one of those Bass Master or Cabellas stores would let you set up a display outside near the front door for a fee??

Good response to your kit idea could be helpful in persuading a kayak company to license your idea.

Here's a similar product http://www.kingfisherelectricboats.com/ but more expensive than your idea.

Good luck!

Denny Wolfe
www.wolfEboats.com

----- Original Message -----
From: john_zimmerlee
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 10:07 AM
Subject: [Electric Boats] project - hands-free electric fishing boat for shallow water

My invention took first prize in the 2008 Int'l Concept Boat Design Competition. You can see it in action at www.streamdancer.com

Four majot kayak manufacturers expressed interest but none could take on a new project in this economy.

Start up costs for manufacturing prohibit me from producing it myself.

I have now simplified the boat design so that anyone with modest tools can build the boat from materials at Home Depot for less than less than $120.

The controls, motors, augers, and battery . . . start adding up fast.

Question?

Is there a market of tinkerers that would buy plans and foot controls for about $400 . . . when the final product would take just two weekends and cost a total of about $1000?

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