Humm???

[steve-b]

Hey guys,
Ive been thinking about a project for a little while now.
I was getting my sleds ready for the upcoming snow here in Ontario.
Looking at the front end of the sleds, i noticed that the two independent skis resemble the front end of an outrigger. This got me thinking.
I should state right now that i know nothing about hydrodynamics.
However i am sure that i could build a rigger with fully independent sponsons. I could even have the front end do the steering???
Maybe your thinking "Why don't you just build an rc snowmobile?" and i may do that as well. But i would rather try the rigger.
Maybe some of you guys out their who have a better understanding of the physics involved could offer some incite.

Steve.

[NativePaul]

How about you kill 2 birds with one stone!

There was someone after buggy parts recently to suspend and steer a rigger, it wasn't too long ago and doubt they have it finished yet though. Heres the thread.

[Fluid]

We saw an all carbon fiber rigger with fully independent front suspension at the LA SAWs in 2002. It didn't work too well. To get any usable suspension travel the CG has to be too high. Then the variable aerodynamics are terrible, remember you're in ground effect and small changes in the distance between the hull and water surface matter a lot. I'm not saying don't do it, but if it were me I'd spend my time on a more promising project.

The photo is without the nose cone and is of poor quality - but it's all I have.

[keithbradley]

The first jet skis actually started out that way (front steering) and quickly evolve to a fixed hull that allowed the jet to do the turning. Sometimes simpler is better. There are advantages and disadvantages to running on water, and it only makes sense to utilize the advantages available through water travel. A jet ski turns much better under power than a snowmobile does...seems like if anything it would be more of an accomplishment to make your snowmobile handle like your rigger.

[Rumdog]

Yep. To turn at high speed on a sled, or ATV with IFS you have to lean way into the corner to sift your weight over the inside ski/wheel.
With suspension on a rigger, g-force in a turn along with centrifugal force will compress the outside suspension. Which is what you do not want.

Ah, the Wetbike. It was basically a hydrofoil bike with a jet drive.

[siberianhusky]

Love to see the optimism for snow! Was a completer bust last year after two winters of monster snow!
Where are in in Ontario? I'm about 100km north east of Toronto, up the 115.

[steve-b]

Yep. To turn at high speed on a sled, or ATV with IFS you have to lean way into the corner to sift your weight over the inside ski/wheel.
With suspension on a rigger, g-force in a turn along with centrifugal force will compress the outside suspension. Which is what you do not want.

Ah, the Wetbike. It was basically a hydrofoil bike with a jet drive.

Actually you want the weight to the outside ski, so that it will bite in and turn the sled. With today's sleds you really don't have to lean allot to have good control.

[Rumdog]

Uh, ok. You want it to track flat. The turn will transfer weight, too much to the outside. It needs to be compensated for. I've been riding for over 20 years.

[steve-b]

Love to see the optimism for snow! Was a completer bust last year after two winters of monster snow!
Where are in in Ontario? I'm about 100km north east of Toronto, up the 115.

I live in Barrie. I do allot of sledding in Muskoka area, as we have a cottage their.
If you have never snowmobiled up their, i would highly recommend it, the land is beautiful and the trails are well groomed. Try to go threw the week, rather then the weekends, as all the city slickers will be their beating the hell out of the trails, most of them don't know how to ride.

[steve-b]

Uh, ok. You want it to track flat. The turn will transfer weight, too much to the outside. It needs to be compensated for. I've been riding for over 20 years.

You probably ride an Arcticcat, HA,HA.