We've all seen that episode, right?
How would you do it? What car would you use, what modifications? Looking for plans and rough details.
try to keep it retro though.
Here's how I would cross the channel.
Citroen Mehari is nice and light and the modifications aren't to weigh it down with sealing it, but to displace enough water to keep the essentials high and dry.
Simplicity is key here. No complicated steering mechanisms, two outboards that you sit between and operate at the same time. If one fails, you have another.
The car's engine operates a compressor that keeps the inflatable pontoons inflated, so even if there is a leak, they will still operate. If the engine dies, there's backup battery power. You'd have to have a tear in the pontoon, a dead engine and dead batteries before this would sink, and even then, it'd take a while since the bodywork is a silicon sealed ABS plastic shell and will act like a huge double hull anyway.
The forward pontoon is specifically positioned to keep the engine from dipping under the water.
All pontoons can be deflated and folded up for road use.
All other essentials are stowed aboard. GPS, transponder, map, compass, radio and oars.
Oh yeah, and a kilo of mars bars, in case you get peckish.
How would you do it? What car would you use, what modifications? Looking for plans and rough details.
try to keep it retro though.
Here's how I would cross the channel.
Citroen Mehari is nice and light and the modifications aren't to weigh it down with sealing it, but to displace enough water to keep the essentials high and dry.
Simplicity is key here. No complicated steering mechanisms, two outboards that you sit between and operate at the same time. If one fails, you have another.
The car's engine operates a compressor that keeps the inflatable pontoons inflated, so even if there is a leak, they will still operate. If the engine dies, there's backup battery power. You'd have to have a tear in the pontoon, a dead engine and dead batteries before this would sink, and even then, it'd take a while since the bodywork is a silicon sealed ABS plastic shell and will act like a huge double hull anyway.
The forward pontoon is specifically positioned to keep the engine from dipping under the water.
All pontoons can be deflated and folded up for road use.
All other essentials are stowed aboard. GPS, transponder, map, compass, radio and oars.
Oh yeah, and a kilo of mars bars, in case you get peckish.