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fstbttms · 20-10-2016, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverd0n

If it DOES actually get to the market, will it be the end of manual hull cleaning? Call me hopeful, but skeptical.

Keelcrab is not the first device of its kind. Anybody remember the Hulltimo? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Here are some of the drawbacks of a hull cleaning "drone":

1.- It's expensive. $2700US buys you a lot of human diver hull cleaning.

2.- It's slow. The web site claims Keelcrab cleans 1.5 square meters per minute. A diver can clean the same area (of an equivalently fouled hull) in less than 10 seconds.

3.- It doesn't do a very good job. Based on the very limited video available, the Keelcrab has some difficulty adequately cleaning even a lightly fouled hull. Is it going to do a better job on a hull with heavier growth? Seems unlikely.

4.- It won't clean running gear, thru-hulls or transducers.

5.- Anodes? Time to get out your checkbook and hire a diver.

6.- Keelcrab is a relatively complex system that at some point is going to need repair and/or servicing. Apparently you will need to send it to Italy for that. Yeah, that's real convenient.

Again, Keelcrab is not the first device of its kind. It's predecessor had the very same drawbacks Keelcrab does and that product has been relegated to the trash heap of hull cleaning history. My guess is Keelcrab will share the same fate.

chris95040 · 20-10-2016, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Keelcrab is not the first device of its kind. Anybody remember the Hulltimo? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Here are some of the drawbacks of a hull cleaning "drone":

1.- It's expensive. $2700US buys you a lot of human diver hull cleaning.
Yep, expensive. For now. And not if you consider groups sharing one. Pretty sure that thing doesn't even need the weekend off.

2.- It's slow. The web site claims Keelcrab cleans 1.5 square meters per minute. A diver can clean the same area (of an equivalently fouled hull) in less than 10 seconds.
What do I care how long it takes?

3.- It doesn't do a very good job. Based on the very limited video available, the Keelcrab has some difficulty adequately cleaning even a lightly fouled hull. Is it going to do a better job on a hull with heavier growth? Seems unlikely.
Hmmm. Maybe. Although if I were building that prototype, I'd approach the harder parts of the problem first, and feel it safe to assume i could fanagle a brush gizmo to do the right thing (easier) as long as i could get it and hold it where it needs to be (harder).

4.- It won't clean running gear, thru-hulls or transducers.
So what? If I could have a robot put my laundry away, would I be uninterested just because it doesn't do the dishes too?

5.- Anodes? Time to get out your checkbook and hire a diver.
See above. If i had a choice between 'replacing anodes' or 'replacing anodes and scrubbing hundreds of sq feet of hull', which would i pick?

6.- Keelcrab is a relatively complex system that at some point is going to need repair and/or servicing. Apparently you will need to send it to Italy for that. Yeah, that's real convenient.
Heh. If people were using this thing here, I'm quite certain they'd hurry up and resolve this problem.

Again, Keelcrab is not the first device of its kind. It's predecessor had the very same drawbacks Keelcrab does and that product has been relegated to the trash heap of hull cleaning history. My guess is Keelcrab will share the same fate.

Well, I agree that this kickstarter probably ain't it, but the robots are definitely coming. In every place they've showed up, they were greeted by people claiming a robot could /never/ do what us people do.

fstbttms · 20-10-2016, 06:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

Well, this kickstarter probably ain't it, but the robots are definitely coming. In every place they've showed up, they were greeted by people claiming a robot could /never/ do what us people do.

Yeah, and you know what? Half a century ago we were promised domestic robots that would do the dishes and mop the floors.

chris95040 · 20-10-2016, 06:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Yeah, and you know what? Half a century ago we were promised domestic robots that would do the dishes and mop the floors.

Target : Expect More. Pay Less.

fstbttms · 20-10-2016, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

Target : Expect More. Pay Less.

fstbttms · 20-10-2016, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

Yep, expensive. For now. And not if you consider groups sharing one. Pretty sure that thing doesn't even need the weekend off.

It will always be expensive. How big of a market do you think a product like this has? You think they're gonna be selling thousands of these things?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

What do I care how long it takes?

Because you don't get to sit around, enjoying a cocktail while the "robot" does all the work. You have to drive it. And maybe you've got two or three hours to burn, cleaning your 40-footer, but I guarantee most people don't. Another drawback of Keelcrab- you have to physically be aboard for it to do the job. Not the case with a diver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

Hmmm. Maybe.

No maybe about it. Look at the videos. At best it does a mediocre job, even on lightly fouled hulls. At worst, to actually provide a thorough cleaning, you'd have to drive over much of the hull multiple times. I'd fire any of my divers if he was providing that level of quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

So what? If I could have a robot put my laundry away, would I be uninterested just because it doesn't do the dishes too?

OK, so I guess you aren't interested in actually cleaning all of the bottom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

See above.

Yes. See above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

Heh. If people were using this thing here, I'm quite certain they'd hurry up and resolve this problem.

That's an assumption, and a big one. Check out the Kickstarter page. These guys are literally begging for $1 donations. You think they have the wherewithal to fund international service centers? Bwahahahaha!

Panope · 20-10-2016, 08:07

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9RhgrwkTFQ

bcboomer · 20-10-2016, 08:34

In the video it appears the brushes are moving at the same speed as the treads. Not much cleaning action if that is the case.

chris95040 · 20-10-2016, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstbttms

It will always be expensive...

Like I said, I don't think this particular kickstarter is going to put any divers out of business, but every problem you've mentioned is being successfully chipped away. The robots are coming!!

fstbttms · 20-10-2016, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

...every problem you've mentioned is being successfully chipped away.

Well, that is categorically untrue, but, OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris95040

The robots are coming!!

Yeah, but I won't be holding my breath (no pun intended.)

chris95040 · 20-10-2016, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Yeah, but I won't be holding my breath (no pun intended.)

Lol- I knew you were gonna say that!!

**s/v Jedi** · 20-10-2016, 15:48

It's going to be fully autonomous like the pool cleaning robots. I will quickly recoup the investment and then start making money. Look at what divers charge... I'll just chuck that bot overboard and put it to work, 2-3 boats a day easy.
Also, I'll just put some hard paint on and let the bot clean every week or two. No more expensive paint, keep more money in the pocket!

Kenomac · 20-10-2016, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

It's going to be fully autonomous like the pool cleaning robots. I will quickly recoup the investment and then start making money. Look at what divers charge... I'll just chuck that bot overboard and put it to work, 2-3 boats a day easy.
Also, I'll just put some hard paint on and let the bot clean every week or two. No more expensive paint, keep more money in the pocket!

I think I mentioned this earlier.... how do you plan on scraping off the prop and prop shaft, inspecting and changing the anodes, cleaning out bow thruster tunnels and propellers and cleaning out through hull fittings which is all a part of a diver's job? Seems to me like you're still going to be paying for divers unless you plan on doing these tasks youself.