Towing a Paddle Boat - Best Way - Paddle Fixed or Free

[Wotname]

If you have to tow a paddle wheel driven boat for some distance, would you let the paddle rotate freely (disconnected from the drive) or would you lock the paddle so it can't rotate.

Why?

[StuM]

Freewheel, less drag?

[GILow]

Oh gawd... here goes the whole freewheeling prop debate...

But seriously, what on earth are you up to?

[Chotu]

Well you see, a helicopter....

[ArmyDaveNY]

Just curiously, what are you towing and how far or long will you be towing it?

[boatman1]

I feels like I be fallin’ into a trap of some nature here???? Anyway, I’d want the paddle wheel removed,.

[jimbunyard]

Depends, stern or side? Number/design of blades? Size of boat? Draft? Distance to tow? Open or protected water? Minimum depth?

Without knowing any of those things, I'd say freewheel for side to avoid impact damage, and drag reduction, locked for stern since (I think) the paddle is no lower than the hull and thus protected from damage and should produce minimal drag, and it just goes against the grain having anything unsecured on a boat (though it seems it wouldn't make any difference at all).

[barnakiel]

At the risk of being an idiot I would let it freewheel if the wheels are on the sides.


If the wheel is behind, there should be little difference as it will be immersed in turbulence. And turbulent water follows the hull.


b.

[Wotname]

Really there are no tricks or traps. Remember this is posted in the Challenge section of the forum so it more of a process of thinking through the issues and making basic assumptions using your water rat brain.

E.G. Paddle wheel vessels are usually used in protected waters so it safe to assume the tow will also be in protected waters, with good weather and deep enough to float both the towed vessel and the tug. Clearly for a 100 yard tow, it makes no difference but for a 100 mile tow, the tug would be wanting minimal drag. Are there other factors to consider?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

..........I'd say freewheel for side to avoid impact damage, and drag reduction, locked for stern since (I think) the paddle is no lower than the hull and thus protected from damage and should produce minimal drag, and it just goes against the grain having anything unsecured on a boat (though it seems it wouldn't make any difference at all).

Interesting to think the stern paddle is no lower than the hull, I always assumed the paddles would be somewhat lower but that is only as assumption on my part.

However I don't think they are any more protected from flotsam regardless of their lowest depth.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by boatman1

I feels like I be fallin’ into a trap of some nature here???? Anyway, I’d want the paddle wheel removed,.

No trap .

OK, removing the paddle wheel seems like a big job and maybe there is enough initial benefit for the work involved but then what. Where would you stow the wheel(s) or otherwise transport them to the destination? Surely you wouldn't dismantle them into the components pieces and then re-assemble the wheel(s)!

But your tow, your decision; just get the paddle boat to the destination in one piece and in the same condition!

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

At the risk of being an idiot I would let it freewheel if the wheels are on the sides.


If the wheel is behind, there should be little difference as it will be immersed in turbulence. And turbulent water follows the hull.


b.

b, you risk is unjustified .

I would like to hear more on your thoughts on why turbulent flowing water would not affect the paddles in the same way as smooth flowing water.

It seems to me that if the tow was moving at say 5 kts, side paddles would experience 5 kts of smooth(ish) moving water against the paddles. A stern paddle would experience 5 kts of turbulent water moving against the paddles. Maybe I am missing something?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Interesting to think the stern paddle is no lower than the hull, I always assumed the paddles would be somewhat lower but that is only as assumption on my part.

However I don't think they are any more protected from flotsam regardless of their lowest depth.

[RaymondR]

I suspect that the builders of stern paddle wheel boats either put enough rise in the bottom of the hull or mounted the wheel far enough back from the transom to allow the paddles to work efficiently and that consequently, unless you towed it fast enough to get up onto the plane, a fixed paddle in the flow would generate a lot of drag.

Freewheel the beggar for best towing efficiency.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Really there are no tricks or traps. Remember this is posted in the Challenge section of the forum so it more of a process of thinking through the issues and making basic assumptions using your water rat brain.

There’s a “challenge” section..? Isn’t life difficult enough with boats already?