Would you know of a tutorial on how to make a hydraulic winch?
Or even the blue prints for one.
i don't think you'll find one online.
hydraulic motors are used in a huge range of mechanical applications though so i'm sure you'll find information on just the actuator part.
if you could link to something I'd be grateful.
If that's the case, go with a DC motor to save trouble and cash.
waterproofing an electric version would be a challenge but you could try looking into those winches they use on 4wd vehicles for pulling them out of the mud.
Can I really control how many times a DC motor turns?
this is going to be a challenge with either a hydraulic or DC system.
in my experience when sailing in storm conditions everything you can possibly imagine breaking will.
some things you can't imagine breaking also will.
some sort of encoder would be the best solution i think.
encoder? the only kinds of encoders i'm familiar are for language translation,
like encoding mp3's from wav's.
am planing on using a hanging crab sail.
interesting.
the first boat i ever rigged had a lateen rig which is very similar.
i'm not sure i would use it for cruising though. only having a single sail is a big single point of failure.
having said that, ancient civilizations used this sail plan for 1000s of years just fine.
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I was thinking of having a ketch sail in the back.
that would need three ropes.
one of the ropes on each sail,
I was intending to use to get the boom closer to the mast,
loosening the sail, much like reefing it,
so making it better for higher winds like storm conditions.
I'm assuming it will work,
I haven't tried.
Someone mentioned automatic reefing.
though I'd be happy for it begin working even in just calm weather,
just to create more free time for boat occupants.
do you have a hull yet?
I'm still on the modeling phase,
in the process of completing a wooden model,
here's a link to the boat design with pictures of drawing and models,
http://lokiworld.org/wordpress/?p=558It's designed to be easy to build,
and good for all weather,
including winter,
since current locus is Canada.
In this lifetime I'm a hereditary computer programmer,
but have sailing and boating experience from some past lives.
admitedly the schooners of yesteryear don't much resemble nowaday boats,
but it's still hoist the sails and we'll get underway.
I like seasteading it's the new physical frontier.
I figure I'll have more time and freedom for working on various projects.
It seems like people on land get smuggled away by secret services if they make any significant discoveries.
In that sense it's safer to seastead.