ThePod Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Hello all, I grabbed an unusual project boat in order to dream away the Covid hours/years, and now she's almost ready to get wet ! This Brucker Survival Capsule has been an interesting job to fitout and adapt into an odd little cabin cruiser, and its fair to say that some of the reactions from from friends have been as unfavourable as some of the faces pulled by people who have seen this little gem! Undaunted, I'm sticking with my plan to do a little mission down the Murray later in the year, and I'm hoping to share the adventure with the Deckee community as I'm sure to need advice from bright boatie folk before during and after I manage to let go of the shore.... I would be appreciative to hear from anyone who has some experience with this kind of vessel, or any relevant info/observations or input that might be helpful or interesting. I have a range of mad plans for this vessel if it should survive its stint on the river and I will answer any curiosities as briefly as can. I also have some walk around , before and after video grabs to check out the inside and its improvements if there's somewhere i can post them. Thanks! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Very interesting 🧐 craft … UFO - unusual floating object ! I had to google it - is yours the “28 men” version as in this video ??? That suggests some serious dimensions - how will you trailer and launch? Re posting videos - easiest is to upload to YouTube and paste the link in your post. cheers Zoran 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 when the floatation devices and oxygen bottles were retrofitted after its installation on a Bass Straight Rig. It is 11 foot high, 14 feet diameter. weighs approx. 3 tons with the fitout I've done. it will be moved by crane truck....permit and escort vehicle required. Check out its earlier condition just after I started. Cheers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 1 hour ago, zmk1962 said: Very interesting 🧐 craft … UFO - unusual floating object ! I had to google it - is yours the “28 men” version as in this video ??? That suggests some serious dimensions - how will you trailer and launch? Re posting videos - easiest is to upload to YouTube and paste the link in your post. cheers Zoran I wonder who operates the lowering into the water ? Must be some poor bloke still on deck of the boat who has control of the winch. OR is it done from inside the capsule? Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Welcome aboard & good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Hey Frank, I believe the winching up and down was controlled from the rig. The quick release is intact and operated from inside the vessel. Apparently, the issue with these rescue pods was, that when lowering they couldn't control the spinning and may end up hitting the water facing into the rig structure which was problematic because although there is a reverse gear, with a 10 degree prop it has little power. I dont think they popped them in the water that often because the 40 HP Westerbeke engine has only 105 hours. Cheers Troy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothparade Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Thought that was a submarine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Lets see how she goes when it hits the water, it may become a sub! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryant fish Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Ha ha looks like a fun project definitely different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 3, 2023 Author Share Posted June 3, 2023 Yes mate it has been a quirky bit of fun. I imagine it will continue... amongst all sorts of antics on the water! stay tuned.....cheers Troy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaitDropper Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 What a great project, Luv it !!. If anything else, what a fantastic garden display ! Seriously, what a center piece it would make, right next to the Pizza oven and fire pit, with some great Frothy conversations about your project. Good luck with your planned excursion down the Murray, make sure you get Plenty of Pic's to share with us here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 good luck luv it should be a great ride down the murray cheers dunc333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 If anyone is interested there is some before and after footage on Youtube. cheers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDEyw27LswY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASyzZKqmu_M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJames Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 (edited) Guessing you won't see another one just like it down at the boat ramp! I'd be concerned about rubber sretchies supporting the cooker. They look like a potential fire hazard and at least likely to suffer from exposure to heat. You're a very brave man! Edited to add: Just noticed...you appear to have a matching dog. Edited June 5, 2023 by JustJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 Blending in will be difficult alright ! The rubber straps are temps until I work out how to install the steel cables so the stove can be swung horizontally in order to access the fuel cap. thanks mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 (edited) OMG....... (jaw just hit the floor) I've got so many questions once I can process this..... First thing that comes to mind.... where are the rod holders? Edited June 5, 2023 by DerekD 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoods Posted June 5, 2023 Share Posted June 5, 2023 Can I suggest you take out insurance for the water skiers - can you imagine their reactions as you trundle past down the river?? I think some might run up the bank in fright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 5, 2023 Author Share Posted June 5, 2023 I imagine that there will be some odd reactions! If you notice there is a big curved lightbar up front which might help me clock up some miles at night time to "avoid the crowd". She only does 6 knots, so I wont exactly be skipping along! Cheers, Troy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 (edited) Hi Troy (aka @ThePod, Firstly I really want to thank you for posting this and being prepared to take us along the journey with you. I'm absolutely fascinated by this project. I admit one of the earlier thoughts that crossed my mind is "are you insane" but that is not meant as an insult as most visionaries would have probably had the same response from their peers. I have so many questions (I have the engineer gene). You don't have to answer them all but I just wanted to get them out there. On a side note I've been following a gentleman in the US who is doing something similar but his is more boat shaped than flying saucer shaped. This one in fact Firstly, from a safety perspective. Is your fire extinguisher suitable for confined spaces (it doesn't look like CO2 but wasn't sure which one of the other types it was). What is the sealing on the propeller shaft? Stuffing box? Have you checked it (you look pretty thorough but it does not hurt to ask). With the limited all round view have you considered putting in some small cameras for the blind spots). If the engine fails have you considered a secondary means of propulsion to get out out of trouble? I see you going around in circles with a paddle. Maybe a Minn Kota on the bow. How does it work with cooking, gas, diesel engine operating in a confined space. What is the ventilation like? Did you try and get the CO2 breather operational again. Now some technical questions What is with the inverted dish underneath the pod? Is it to give it some stability when sitting or is it designed to minimise the rocking of the vessel when in rough seas? What are those two pods on top of the pod. Are they for fuel, water or storage. It looks like they can be used as seats but that is a complicated way of doing so. From the photos it looks like they have been stuck on top rather than being accessible from underneath. Can you post some photos of what is inside them. If they are for fuel and water then would it make the vessel top heavy? You mentioned it goes along at 6 knots (11km/h) but with that shape how does it track? You mentioned transport was under wide load conditions. How do you drop it in the water. Is there a Hiab on the trailer or do you have to get a special crane in to lift it into the water. How deep does the keel sit under water line when fully loaded. Just how curious how close you can get to shore or to what depth you can operate. Now for some general questions. Did you consider a paint job to make it look like a panda? It is all I can see when you open both hatches in the photo. What is the view out the windows when raining. Are you replacing them with clearer ones or are you considering some sort of windshield wiper. Will they fog up due to condensation inside the vessel. I've got more but I don't want to overwhelm you. This is the first post I've followed in over 10 years on Fishraider. Edited June 6, 2023 by DerekD 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sydney Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 12 hours ago, DerekD said: Did you consider a paint job to make it look like a panda? It is all I can see when you open both hatches in the photo A mouth certainly wouldn’t go astray! Though I reckon it’d look beautiful as a Mr Blobby…🤣 @ThePod Troy you’re insane I think, but I love this so much. Good on you it looks utterly spectacular. I can’t even imagine how you’ll be feeling as you’re lowered into the water for the maiden voyage. One of the coolest things I’ve seen, keep the updates coming 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekD Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 1 hour ago, Mike Sydney said: A mouth certainly wouldn’t go astray! Though I reckon it’d look beautiful as a Mr Blobby…🤣 Or the head of Marshmellow Man from the original Ghostbusters complete with sailor hat. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePod Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 Mr Blobby is the best yet! In earlier days when people asked me what color i was going to paint it I said "green", because if it turned upside down it could be called the apple turnover! .* One extinguisher is the one which came with the boat, the other is more in case of a grass fire near the boat. I will check the type though, and replace...isuspect they are both well overdue. Thanks. * Yes stuffing box. * There's plenty of windows but they are small. I have thought about cameras, but I think that on the river I will connect a linear actuator to the steering inside and steer from above on a beanbag with rods..... * Electric backup might be the go, but I might be towing a little tender to squirt about in as well? If it should pass its river apprenticeship, and it should end up in the sea, Id like to get a boat Kite as backup..... *Ventilation is great. Two air vents, an upper hatch, and the old Co2 scrubber will be jumped across to the stove an be a powered exhaust fan as well. also there is an oscillating fan and a gas detector/oxygen sensor. * The inverted dish is the Keel / Stabiliser. *The upper area is two large foam filled buoyancy devices. they have no internal access. They are shaped like seats and I have a table to put up there. * The criteria it had to fulfill when built said it must be able to do 6 knots fully loaded for 24 hours non-stop. I believe (hope) that it will do better due to being relatively empty. As far as tracking goes....good question...Im guessing it track along strangely but nicely.... preferably not in a sickeningly spinny kind of way *The vessel can get into about 1 meter of water. it needs to be unloaded by crane truck directly into the drink....maybe a rear crane down a boat ramp?, the windows are reinforced glass and will need something to give vision in the rain....probably a wiper id say. The Panda never entered my mind, its a goodone! Good questions, i hope for some more. Thanks for your interest, cheers, Troy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefin Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 Rod Holders may have it looking like a Naval Mine ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now