Conversion

[alley gator]

Quarantine time was a perfect excuse to recycle an 18-year-old JD lawn tractor and a 1969 Sears 15 ft Jon Boat.
If anyone has information or real data on the riveted 15 ft boat I would love to see it.

 

[KMixson]

Nice! Is that a belt driven prop?

 

[maintenanceguy]

That is redneckery at its finest. I want more details on the steering and really want a video of it in the water.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

That is redneckery at its finest. I want more details on the steering and really want a video of it in the water.

+1

 

[alley gator]

It is belt-driven. I turned the mower transmission 90 degrees and used the 5 speed forward drive axel to power a lower pulley. Then transfer power up to the propeller axel system. By welding the spider gears in the tranny bull gear, I get a reverse drive also. Not enough to supply much reverse power, but the first launch was 6/24 . Working on some weight and balance shifts and active water tests next weekend.
The steering is by the tractor steering wheel. I reversed the direction of the connecting rod, lengthen them and kept the swivel rod ends. Works very well. I also made the rudders like a small plane. 1/2" tube frame, aluminum coil stock covers held by pop rivets on 3 " spacing.
I'll follow up with a video and in a few weeks and have construction pictures throughout the project.
Lynn