Question about boat "airbag"

[paultbg]

Hello
After regretfully loosing one of my boats (sunk after hitting a too hard buoy,even with polystyrene inside) I was thinking why such device was not invented?
What can be so difficult? A small capsule attached to the boat and connected to rx on a free channel). If you hit something or roll over just hit a button on your tx and the "airbag" inflate.
It should hold the boat above water until you recover it.I think that such a device could save to modellers from a lot of pain...
Let me know what you think about my idea or advise me if such a product exist already...
Regards

[tlandauer]

You would have to carry compressed air on board, car type air bag would be difficult because the bag is charged by explosive propellent and it will deflate in a matter of seconds---not enough time for you to retrieve the boat, at least that is what I think. Plus the explotion (from the discharge propellent) would most likely split the hull even further, so, compressed air is more realistic. I think if such a thing already exists, it will be appreciated by many people.

[paultbg]

Hello
Actually my idea was to mount the "airbag" in a small box outside the boat (lets say back of the boat or top) having inside just the connector to the rx.
In this case you can have the "explosive" version in order to keep the size and weight down.I really think that for a regular 30-40" boat, the airbag can be compressed in regular servo size box .
And about keeping the air inside, after all everything is about the material used.In our case the material can be thinner then car version but air "resistant".
Regards

[martin]

You can buy a device that self inflates thats been mentioned before on this forum, i believe its designed to attach to things that you may drop in the water when on a boat.

[JIM MARCUM]

Most of the FE boaters I know, including me, use "pool noodles" to keep our boats from sinking after a crash. Pool noodles are used to keep ropes floating in swiming pools, and can be found at most pool supply dealers. I cut the noodles to completely fill my cats sponsons fore to aft.

Also use the non-styrofoam packing foam material that protects new boats etc. from shipping damage.

Personally, I HATE styrofoam, especially packing "peanuts". They break into small plastic chunks and are impossile to recover from your lake if they get out of the hull in a crash or canopy loss.

Some use 2 part urethane foam in thier cats, but it can crack the hulls if you aren't careful. And, if you need to repair the hull it's a bitch to get the urethane out.

While using an air bag may sound promising, it's not all that pratical. If you hit something hard enough to rip open your hull it would likely punch a hole in the bag too. If you use an "explosive" inflator, it may damage the hull where it's mounted.

But, if you want to give it a try, go for it. Please, let us know how it works out for you. JIM

[Make-a-Wake]

I actually have two boats where i have 20lb test fishing line attatched to the motor mount and it goes up to one of the pool noodles in front where it is attatched to the end of it. There is about 20 feet of line pushed up into the bow and if it breaks apart it will float up and I can spot it and simply pull the line in and retrieve it.....or at least the motor and mount. I should probably put a noodle out farther from the bow area, like just under the front of the canopy where it will release easier if the boat doesnt break apart but the canopy comes off and it still sinks.

[martin]

Yep i use pool noodles as well. The floatation device i mentioned is at www.water-buoy.com. you could fit more than 1 in a boat depending on size of boat. Not sure what happens if you get water in the boat though when running though.

[Diegoboy]

If the RX gets wet or goes too far down, you'll never get a signal to fire off the device

[paultbg]

If the RX gets wet or goes too far down, you'll never get a signal to fire off the device

For sure that is true.But at least in my boat the rx was well "waterproofed" in one balloon and to be honest you do not have to wait so much until the rx goes so deep to loose the signal.
Anyway I have contacted the company, will see if they are interested to make / tailor a version for rc boats.
After all, even more simple way is to attache the device (s) outside (let say on top of the boat) and just change the settings from few seconds of water contact to 10 seconds of continuous contact let say.
Even more , i have the feeling (but i am not sure) that actually the device is not initiated by water contact but by water pressure (just my feeling)...
Anyway, the actual device cost in UK 10 pounds. Really guys, on how much money you invest on your boats, 10 pounds (20 if you use 2 pieces) insurance it is still very cheap.
Regards

[martin]

Yes the demo i saw they threw it into a pool that was 12 feet deep & it activated after it got to the bottom so maybe pressure activated.

[ice_spy]

I guess it doesnt hurt to use all the suggested flotation devices,
1. water bouy maybe best mounted outside.
2. noodles or pack foam not styro.
3. small fish float on long lenght of line attached to motor mount.

If the boat does go down, water-bouy or noodles dont work, then i think the fish flaot on line is the best idea to locate and recover the boat.

[BHChieftain]

For sure that is true.But at least in my boat the rx was well "waterproofed" in one balloon and to be honest you do not have to wait so much until the rx goes so deep to loose the signal.

Just a heads up, water blocks 2.4GHz. I frequently lose my signal if my boat subs just under the surface. I've even lost signal with just a capsize on the surface, during the 10 seconds it takes for the flood chamber to fill up and turn the boat over.

Chief

[bluznbeers]

Chief that is why you use the marine radio with the 2 antennas. You put one up the tube and the other is taped to the lowest point of your hull. (which wil then be the highest point of your hull when it turtles.) Try that and you will have no more problems.

[BHChieftain]

Hi,
I do use the spektrum marine RX with the dual antennas. Actually you should mount both as high above the waterline as possible, at right angles to each other. Having 1 antenna at the bottom of the boat potentially under the waterline kinda defeats the purpose of dual diversity.

Chief