ive always wondered, are these boats on cables or are they totally independent? and what make size and horsepower are the engines, are they single or twin engined.
ive always wondered, are these boats on cables or are they totally independent? and what make size and horsepower are the engines, are they single or twin engined.
The watercraft used as a part of the Disney Transportation system are all free-floating vehicles. As for engine types, all are inboard motors of unknown size and power.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
Cheers
ferries have a single engine if prop wash is to be accounted for. two props one at each end for pushing in each direction. one bridge at each end. and yes they are free floating, I have seen what happens when a new driver miss judges his approach
.
Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.
When we were there in June they were training some new drivers. Odd thing was they did all the training on Bay Lake and not Seven Seas Lagoon. The experienced captain would get it through the water bridge while the Disney navy blocked all other traffic - then the new captain would take over and practice driving back and forth at the south end of Bay Lake.
Anthony w/ 16 year old son. Most recent visits Oct 2009 Pop, 2008 Contemporary, and June 2007 at POR & Pop.
"I'd say it's been my biggest problem all my life... it's money. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true." Walt Disney
That makes sense one prop at each end, this will mean they must have 2x engines, can you imagine how many hours those engines must have done!
From what I've observed, the ferries are not on tracks of any kind. They run on a single engine which can pivot a full 360 degrees, allowing the ferry to rotate in position. Very cool for tight turnarounds in a small canal!
I plan on piloting them suckers when I retire in about 15 years, so I'll let you know . . .
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
no only one engine, with multiple selections for prop power. but I don't believe they are steerable Danyoung otherwise they would have to be under propulsion to steer and I have seen them coasting and steering at the same time. that being said the flat bottomed keel less boats that they are can turn very sharp, and a good skipper who knows proper use of this boat can pivot it on a dime.Originally Posted by alex kirby
Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.
All the boats in the lakes are not on any kinda of cable or sensor grid.
Now the river boat in the mk is on a track.
So is the jungle cruise of course hahaha
http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/wdwwaterfleet.htm
efoxx, we're talking about 2 different things. The ferries on the Seven Seas Lagoon do have screws at each end. I think they have two at each end, but I could be wrong. From watching in the window of the cabin, most of the steering is by throttling up or down on left and right throttles (if that makes any sense).
What I was talking about above was the smaller friendship boats that run in Epcot and over to the Yacht & Beach, Boardwalk, and on over to D/MGM. These have one prop, totally steerable in 360 degrees. You can see them pushing off of their dock at Epcot and then basically pivoting in place for their return to the hotels. Very cool boats!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
luky b@gger!!!
OK we were talking about two different things.
Yes the friendship boats have a single jet (not prop) that rotates 360 which gives them a tremendous amount of maneuverability with a pilot who knows his stuff.
the ferries that cross 7 seas lagoon have a single engine, and a prop and single rudder at each end. (I have seen pictures of them dry docked) and are pretty standard for the ferries they represent.
Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.
Really? I haven't seen them drydocked myself, so I should defer to your info. But don't they have left and right throttle controls on the dual bridges? That would indicate 2 screws (and quite possibly 2 engines), not one. I could be wrong, but I'd swear that they steer by using these 2 throttles, not using a wheel or control for the rudder.
Have I mentioned I could be wrong???
Edited to add info from the website Bigbrian-nc.com -
All the ferryboat are powered by 2 Caterpiller liquid-cooled diesel engines model 3406, rated at 275 hp each, 893 cubic inches each.
Each spins a 36" diameter bronze propeller.
Each ferryboat has 2 air-cooled diesel powered generators. Fowler and Irvine- Palmers at 25 watts, the Potter- Katos at 50 watts.
Each ferryboat is controlled with two tiller levers, a bow and a stern. the stern tiller is used for steering, while the bow tiller is only used to position the bow while docking, a good pilot doesn't need to do this.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
this actually goes along with the photo's I've seen. (if I can locate one I will post it) one prop at each end with a single blade rudder behind it. I have seen skippers coast most of the way across the lagoon making numerous small directional changes without applying power.
Grateful for all God has done for me, and for having Wfoxx by my side.
I'd love to see a pic if you can find it. Learning is still fun for this old guy!
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks