Lambordinghy with Bob Beurger, about to win most of the 1st prizes at the 1996 International Human Powered Speed Championships.

Lambordinghy showing the drive unit extended below the hull. This boat was developed from a Pygmy kayak Queen Charlotte 19' stitch'n'glue plywood kit.

Lambordinghy with the drive unit raised for beaching. The SpinFin is raised higher than normal for these photos. The cane seat back reclines for pedaling, and springs up to support paddling.

The first SpinFin installed in a Current Designs Kawak, ready for delivery with spares taped on the drive trunk.

The Boats:

Gordie Nash was an ocean racing rower until his elbows gave out. Switching to pedals was frustrating until he tried the first beta production SpinFin. Then he won an important race on his first sea trial. He now routinely runs at 7 kt for an hour. In a kayak hull, a similar drive was officially timed at 9.5 kt for100 meters without special preparation, and can cruise at 4 to 5 kt comfortably.

In open-cockpit kayaks the SpinFin works through a well resembling a daggerboard trunk. A hand lever makes it quick and easy to raise and stow the unit with one hand. This makes beaching in surf or navigating a weed bed easy. The SpinFin pops up automatically if it hits bottom.

A kit with a matched drive unit, trunk and lifting lever is now available for easy installation in many boats. You provide a suitable seat and rudder. The introductory price for the kit is $650.00 USD.

For the Microships, we are developing an installation hanging the drive unit beside the main hull. This leaves more free space in the cockpit, and makes damage from grounding even less likely. In other boats, this could be a temporary installation. A big advantage is the option of moving the drive fore and aft to maintain trim with different numbers of people in a small boat. The offset thrust costs about 1% efficiency unless balanced by the single outrigger of a proa. You can use bicycle parts for the cranks, but for the most compact size and uncluttered cockpit, special cranks are being developed, supported only at each gunwale. Prices will be posted here after development is completed.

We are also working on a kit for a proa style boat. This will be 20' long, with the main hull flaring from 12" at the waterline to 24" at the gunwale. A small outrigger gives the best performance. An optional larger one can carry a trampoline and passenger. The boat will be easy to break down for cartopping. While it will have the stability to carry a big sail, a small one is recommended with the standard light construction.

Please call or email for information: