A motorcycle drives this homemade catamaran

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Today we have another DIY project for you. When we found this fun article in the magazine Popular Science Monthly from May 1922 written by P. P. Avery, we thought let`s try and build this catamaran! You can also give it a try if you have nothing planned this weekend. If you do, please send us some photographs of the end result! We very much looking forward receiving them!

"Any standard motorcycle will serve as the power plant for this novel catamaran of speed raft. The rear wheel of the motorcycle drives an 8-in. wooden roller by friction. This, in turn, drives either a small paddle wheel or a propeller, whichever the builder prefers.

The boat is supported by two cylindrical pontons 14 in. in diameter. They are merely kitchen boilers of either galvanized iron or copper. The nose for each is made of the same material shaped down to a point. The air chamber is continuous through each ponton and the construction must, of course, be absolutely airtight. With the full load, the displacement should be such that the waterline is halfway up on the cylinders.

The pontoons are attached to a wooden framework by ½ in. by 3 in. flatirons, as shown. Use 3/8-in. bolts with lock washers top and bottom for fastening the laps around the tanks.

The flooring should be of sound tongue-and-groove stock well nailed on. Upon the strength and rigidity of the platform depends much of the working efficiency and safety of the completed catamaran. The floor is later covered with canvas, tacked on with copper or galvanized iron nails.

The openings in the floor are reinforced by 1 by 1 in. angle irons screwed fast all around. The heavy mountings such as those for the roller shafts should be secured with 3/8 in. bolts through bearing, angle iron, and nuts. The motorcycle should be stripped of parts that are not absolutely essential to its use a powerplant. The front wheel rests in a wooden block and the machine is firmly clamped in place, front and back. The rear wheel rests on the rollers, as shown, and the rear roller provides the driving power for either the paddle-wheel or propeller. Gears and a chain are used for driving the paddle-wheel and bevel gears and countershaft for the propeller.

All exposed metal parts should be painted with iron paint and the wood-work given two coats of the best spar varnish. These details are all clearly shown in the accompanying drawings.

To operate the catamaran, the engine is started by the usual kick-pedal method, the clutch being in neutral. The speeds are advanced as desired and after the motor is in “high” gear. Adjustment is by spark and gas on the handle-bars. The tiller wheel is conveniently located for steering so that the operator will have no difficulty at all in learning to control the catamaran."

Words by the editor. Source: Popular Science Monthly May 1922 (page 75).

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