Pedal Powered Boats

[jyl]

Every year I follow the Race To Alaska (R2AK.com). The human powered racers are the most awe-inspiring, to me. By the time they get to Ketchikan, their hands look absolutely reckt.

I’m wondering why the human-powered boats are never pedal powered. It seems to me that your legs are the part of your body that were evolved to work non-stop for days on end, as primitive us followed big game animals until they were exhausted and cornered. I realize the combination of legs, core, and arms that is rowing is the most power the human body can generate, but I don’t think our core was evolved to work non-stop for hours and days on end. We’re upright walkers, after all. And arms . . .

Looking online for pedal powered kayaks, cats, sculls, etc turns up 1) interesting backyard experiments, 2) obscure racing boats - even hydrofoils!- clearly designed for sprints, 3) the occasional custom built boat meant to set a record for human-powered crossings, and 4) most common, the fisherman’s kayak with Hobie “flipper” drive.

Has anyone had experience with pedal drive boats in the ocean?

In addition to power and endurance, it seems like a recumbent pedal drive would be the most aero human powered boat (the racers are usually moving upwind).

[LEAKYSEALS951]

pedal powered boats would seem to make sense- but- some of the designs get boondoggled. For example, paddle boats have a ridiculous q factor in the cranks and the crank arms are ridiculously short. They aren't really set up for serious pedaling. The paddle system itself probably isn't optimal either.

There. Now I'm an expert on paddleboats!

[David]

I think electric assist pedal powered boats (current electric bike technology) will make this more feasible since pedal power alone is just shy of what's needed.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by David

I think electric assist pedal powered boats (current electric bike technology) will make this more feasible since pedal power alone is just shy of what's needed.

No motors permitted in R2AK.