Anyone Know "Hooked on Kayaks"?

He posted here a while, but apparently got disillusioned with some people's attitudes. I think his name is Shane Makinen, and he's from the Austin area. He was doing some research into using model airplane props on kayak trolling motors. I'd like him to PM me,about that, if anyone knows how to contact him. Thanks, IslandJim

I don't think he's much interested in forums anymore. He and I communicated quite a bit about the props. I'm currently running an 8" pitch model plane prop on my TM, and my kayak is almost one mph faster with it. I've run a couple of props, and I have drawn some conclusions.

There has to be a market for someone to manufacture trolling motor props with a pitch better suited to kayak use.

The RC props seem to be what most are using, I wonder how the Native propel prop would do.

When I had the torqueedo on a Hobie PA, I made and tested some 3d printed props but never really got an all around advantage. It is easy to go faster and lose efficiency / battery life / total distance. When you transfer from flat clean water to a rough chop you really want the torque back in play.

I regularly cut real airplane props in my shop and have access to great FDA (fluid dynamics analysis ) software and it is easy to simulate new design effects, but when you print them and put on the same motor and battery you have rune the others on, there is always a trade-off in speed vs. duration/distance.

One of the props we are working on now for a flying car is on my single page website. www.dallascnc.com We are about to cut the 5th generation of the prop in the next few weeks. The hub is designed so we can change blade profiles with little effort.

I have thought seriously about doing a live variable pitch prop like some of the older aircraft used. Adjust able for torque for acceleration or pushing against resistance or for speed once at cruise.