The latest iteration of my surface vehicle project—this time, I'm experimenting with a pontoon design paired with dual 60mm EDF (electric ducted fan) thrusters. The goal is to enhance stability and maneuverability on water while exploring the performance of dual thrusters for propulsion. With this build, I'm refining both the hydrodynamic aspects and propulsion system to optimize efficiency and performance. Most components in this project are 3D printable or made from easily sourced materials, keeping the build accessible and modular for quick adjustments. Also... RC watercraft are just plain fun.
As expected, switching to a dual pontoon system significantly reduced drag during today’s river test. The drone handled beautifully on the water! It’s also worth noting that the test conditions were slightly different than usual due to the heavy rainfall over the past week—the river was higher and flowing much faster than normal. Despite that, the new design held its own and kept up impressively well. This feels like a solid step forward in performance and reliability!
I have decided to switch to two pontoons instead of three removing the center pontoon for less drag. The new water bottles are almost twice as long as the previous ones.