The SpinFin drive unit shown here is the basic unit that can be mounted beside a hull with the drive shaft as shown for Steve's Microship, or installed in a daggerboard trunk like fashion with standard bike cranks and pedals mounted directly to the unit. The combination of drive unit, lifting lever and drive trunk is available for easy installation into many types of boats. In use, the propeller is below the pedals, and when up and parked, the unit is near horizontal, with the pedals forward, and the prop accessible. The new drive units have been refined after five years of experience in many different conditions.

This arrangement was developed on Lambordinghy, converted from a Pygmy Kayak kit. She is the 1996 world champion recognized by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association. A similar kayak conversion was certified at over 9.5 knots in a sprint, with a small but strong novice rider. Gordie Nash has an even faster boat using a lengthened version of this drive in a trimaran with the main hull derived from a racing shell. She runs at seven knots on the open ocean for an hour or more, winning races against sliding-seat scullers.

With such an efficient drive system, you can get high speed or effortless cruising in any small boat. The drive unit features five ball bearings and a single loop of twisted chain for simplicity and minimum friction. The gear ratio can be either nine or ten to one. Many available propellers can be easily changed for different conditions. Each is suitable for a wide variation in effort; there is no need to change props between sprinting and cruising. The standard drive trunk and its lifting lever allow the unit to be raised in one second with one hand, for beaching or weed removal.

The drive unit is easy to use and requires little time for maintenance. Sealed against water entry, it has an oil bath for the chain. It can sustain major collision damage and still work indefinitely, and is easy to overhaul far from civilization if necessary.

NEW PROA STYLE BOAT

On our new boat, the drive unit will mount beside the main hull. The offset thrust will be balanced by a single outrigger. This leaves the cockpit more open and further reduces the chance of damage from grounding. It also provides a much narrower main hull for higher speeds, stability for sail carrying, and provides a place for a trampoline for passengers or camping. The main hull is twenty feet long, with a semi-wave piercing bow. It has generous freeboard amidships around the single open cockpit, with fine ends for light weight. We will provide kits for stitch and glue construction or completed boats. The offset drive and special pedal cranks will be available separately.

Pedaling uses the biggest muscles in the body, minimizing fatigue, and leaves the hands free. A person of average fitness can keep up with very athletic kayakers all day, in greater comfort, and feel much better all evening. With the outriggers often used, there is no problem with stability to worry the novice. Pedaling can get you wherever kayaks go with more attention to spare to enjoy yourself there. In a dinghy, our drive unit will pamper you with easy speed, and a view ahead. There is no awkwardness over clearance for oars, or the weight and hazards of outboard motors. Please call or email for pricing and availability.