For those of you who've missed earlier episodes, bilge keels or deeper keels are discounted for use due to vulnerability to sea ice. I won't be replying to each comment suggesting them from this point on!
I’d think about placing a second back up line on your “support dinghy”. Last thing you need is the main line to disintegrate or loosen when you least expect it and when you need that dinghy. If you can, might be worth making triangular clip on seats that you can slot on top of the support bars on top. Just means you can have a reasonably stable seating position in the corner or your choice but somewhere you can enjoy on calm days - just a thought. Well done on your progress!
Quirky boating, DIY, and dry British humor? This channel is everything I could want. Just binged this whole series this afternoon and I'm looking forward to more!
Yes, that was pleasing :) Although, having recently re-read “Good Omens”, I also wondered whether Alex was seriously considering the reactor having vanished 😎
Dunno how I ended up down this rabbit hole but these lifeboats are apparently surprisingly cute. Definitely would make a more interesting house than a canal barge
You mentioned sleeping platforms Given adaquite warmth, reinforcement, and willpower, hammocks could be more comfortable (they accommodate somewhat for roll) and space efficient.
My dad (RN 1942-1947) swore by hammocks for comfort warmth and security. He hated bunks. Plus they can be rolled up and stowed out of the way when not in use and take seconds to deploy. So I concur with your suggestion.
@@wideyxyz2271 I concur with your concurrence. I exclusively used a hammock during the hiking and camping period of my life and also found them to be secure and warm. Plus, much easier to roll up and stow in a backpack than a bunk would be. Cheers
A depth finder would be a good add on especially for shallow conditions and gps as well as with some lowrance ones you get a map gps, depth finder and can even set waypoints. You Might also be able to have a speedometer on it too. You should cross drill the top rail so you can rely on it and maybe even use a stronger pipe so it’s a proper railing that you can lean on.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Your depth sounder can also function as a knot meter. I would look at the in hull options. They can shoot right through the fiberglass bottom. Easy to install and no holes in the boat. Especially when dealing with tides you'll want to know your speed in the water vs true speed (GPS)
Sound proofing the engine is great and you should do your best, but, in my Diesel Motorsailer, which is actually pretty quiet, the engine drone still gets to me after a couple of hours and I have resorted to wearing earplugs which for me makes things quite pleasant. It also cuts out most of that nagging sound from the wif......I mean other crew members too! :) Great vids!
@@AlexHibbertOriginals The current state of technology for headphone with noise cancellation is worth looking into, giving you the best of both worlds. I'm currently watching this video with a pair.
@@PlasmaOscillations Fully agree. I have a pair of over-ear Sony headphones and in-ear earphones I use all the time. They were originally purchased for long international flights. They work incredibly well. It is a little strange, however, as I can't hear other people or the stewardess but it feels like I can still hear a little of the plane itself. I think that's more to do with "feeling" the plane and imagining the sound than actually hearing it....
Name a more iconic duo, I'll wait. Thanks Alex for this fantastic episode. Dick was a pleasure to watch and listen to. Onwards with the next chapter of Alan's journey!
Man... Alex, I am so drunk at the moment but, I am really proud at this appraisal of ALAN within your own prerequisites and the old man despite his doubts which I can see you both respect and are determined to transcend for the sake of your quizzical venture called. ALAN
My (admittedly limited) understanding of boat stability is that concentrating all the ballast in a limited area may not actually be the best option, as this gives a focus for the boat to oscillate around, which could militate against the form stability of a fairly boxy hull-form (sorry Alan!) You have the luxury of a relatively large internal volume compared with a lot of recreational craft of similar length, I wonder if there's any benefit i spreading the ballast bars more widely? Naval architects who understand metacentric heights are welcome to destroy my suggestion. Good to see him afloat!
Not a naval architect, but from what i know of calculating stability when loadinc cargo on ships, the most effective way to slow down rolling movements is to out weight higher up. Pretty sure allan is so small though (im sorry Allan) that in order to get the rolling period of allan below any waves, he will be upside down allready. Might iron out some small violent shakes though. (Think an oldschool metronome with the weight low vs with the weight high)
Nice to see Alan afloat. Re the rolling: Bilge keels you've already rejected due to ice. Good call. Stabilising booms and anti roll "fish” on cables are relatively cheap. Just use hinged aluminium pipe and painted steel fish. Super common on small fishing boats. Watching the roll period Alan is VERY stable. One other item that you could consider is an anti roll U tube tank. They are partly filled with sea water. You have to adjust the amount of water and cross flow tube restriction so that the natural frequency of the tank is the same as the roll period but 180 deg out of phase with Alan's natural roll period. Harder to sort out compared to booms and fishes.
Thank you for acknowledging my provocative attempt at humor on the last one. Cheers. I'll bring you some pastries next time I'm in London. ;) You should ship him off to do sea trials in the Caribbean during hurricane season. Haha
Came here from curiously looking for interiors of life boats for no particular reason, as one does. And I stumbled on you video. And for the life of me I can't believe no one in the comment section has point out how you look like Robert Downey Jr's doppelganger. And here I thought Iron Man was into converting a life boat. Well wishes to you and Alan!
I did a fair bit of research on sound insulation when rebuilding an old land rover 101 a few years back, as in the cab you sit right beside the engine. Foam will help a bit with reflected sound but if you want to reduce noise transmission you really need a layer of the most dense material possible. I went for thin lead 'foil' in the engine cover but there are other options like rubber sheets with high density mineral 'fillers'.
Lovely to see your progress Alex and so full of interesting lessons to be learned from all your developments. This is all a great asset to all the other lifeboat projects under way and is very much appreciated. One little comment I must make is for you to get into the habit of ALWAYS tying a secondary safety line to your little tender on a secondary point whilst being towed along at the back of you. We learned the hard way many years ago when some unnoticed chaffing on the line led to our tenders disappearance under passage! We had friends quite recently also lost and never recovered over £8k's worth of dingy, electric outboard and lithium batteries during a coastal passage. They are still fighting their insurance company over a year later that have deemed the issue as their negligence. Keep up the good work my friend, you are a great ambassador for this fraternity. Regards Gavin (Scottish Borders) Electrical engineer currently planning full solar & kite powered craft.
Your friend Alan is absolutely right about learning to manover your boat, backing up and figure of eights and they are semi standard tests both for driver and boat and are best practiced in flat clam conditions, a single screw boat will always prop steer at low speed, so to have any control going astern you need to get way on (speed) once going astern keep the rudder straight and only give it tiny corrections to get where you want to go 2 or 3 degrees from centerline. You haven't run then engine flat out of an hour or so, you need to know if it is going to do it.
That's a really nice boat you've got there! I can't imagine a more robust vessel than the one you chose, it makes for a very good starting point. How strange that some viewers are hostile to a man working to get his boat just how he wants it, it would be difficult to imagine a more positive thing than what you're doing! I shall have to spend some time watching your earlier videos in order to discover what you've done and the reason that you're doing it. Lifeboats have come a long way since the days of open boats and yours looks to be quite sophisticated.
Hi. Yes, Alan needs plenty of ballast to help against lateral rolling. It is designed to self-right after a capsize, so needs lots of ballast low down in the keel. This will also help against rolling and make Alan sit better in the water. The downside is that it will make Alan even slower and possibly harder to control, or not as responsive. Alan was designed to keep people alive, in open seas, until help arrived, not as a pleasure cruiser. Alan is a great craft though, and I can't wait to see your adventures in him.
Having only recently discovered, and subsequently caught up through a solid binge watching session on all activities thus far, I can only say how disappointed I am to now have to wait in line for the next update. Liked and subbed.
Observations and suggestions (both can be, and likely will be ignored) Ascetics: 17:05 not the worst, then we see the worst (glad I had not eaten yet today) Steering: while (almost) completely unfeasible a steerable shroud would solve a lot of issues Rolling: stabiliser vanes below the waterline 1/3rd back from the bow at 45 deg from the horizontal would help and likely not add to the draught. EGT sensor: would be useful in monitoring the health and performance of the engine and turbo if fitted at the end of the exhaust headers.
Awesome project, I’ve enjoyed watching it come along. You asked for suggestions, so I’ve got one. You might get a hair better fuel consumption by routing the engine intake through the cover to let it suck colder air
I am once again voicing my displeasure with the lack of angle grinders in this otherwise entertaining video. If this absence continues to plague your videos then I may be forced to reconsider my subscription and hamper your plan for total dominance.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals I suggest that perhaps you could install a picture of an angle grinder for artistic aesthetics to adorn the cabin wall. It could be a micro painting. Or not. Cheers.
In my country, for a boy to become a man. A ceremony involving angle grinders and fuel tanks and other secret rites. It is truly great, as is our unconnected low ratio of adult men to adult women.
Hammocks have a great advantage in cold climates as they can be slung high up in the cabin where the warm air collects. If you choose to use them, be sure to stretch them very taut (RN style), not in a slack, dangling sling configuration (as seen in the movies), which will result in sleep-apnea, backache and stiffness as well as muscle fatigue.
Great video. Couple ideas: some type of bow thruster - thinking on a hinge to drop into water as needed. Second steering wheel and throttle mounted high (no need for foot). GPS guided autopilot (when in open seas it is really point A to point B). In general, it needs more brackets.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Mine has one of the old style drive motors connected to the wheel by a belt with a control module that just holds a compass bearing. I'm not sure if they still sell them new but maybe a second hand one would be cheap and be good enough?
One thing you might wish to consider is adding a small deck to be taken inside or stowed topside .. something you could stand flatfooted on .. just outside the side doors. Maybe even a permanent deck off the stern to give you some extra footing, etc. Enjoying the build process .. really cute boat.
I know what you mean about the first time you fly a drone off the boat and out over the water, it made for some nice shots though. There are generally four or five Thames barges where I am moored so you have to watch out for the tall masts rather than the usual trees.
excellent job you are doing. love to see thing get a new life. a thought on the anchor mounting if you have not done so already. as there are two metal brackets on the bow just above waterline, you might fabricate a mount there. and perhaps a small grate to stand on when handling the anchor. safe journeys.
Presumably the pilot's position will have a 5-pt harness to hold them in place in actual weather. Can you route the engine cooling water to produce a tea-water warmer?
Thanks alot for this video. I have often wondered about those cute little boats, even to the point of looking to buy one. After living most of my life on my sailboats, perhaps one of those little fellows will be in my future. I find life at six knots to be more than adequate for happiness.
I noticed a knife sitting loose on the bench. Maybe some magnetic stripping could give you a place to put loose tools when they need to be left out for access
I've I've always though of getting one of these boats and fitting it with a mast and sails and putting a keel kinda like the Dutch racing barges are made. With a retractable keel on each side . Seems like they have a lot of room to work with
You need 2 outriggers with suspension. To reduce roll. You could do active noise cancelling to reduce engine noise. A mic inside the box and laptop plugged into speakers.
At anchor could use a "flopper stopper" to reduce rolling. There are some commercial ones, and numerous designs for diy. I built mine myself, a plywood square weighted on one side with reclaimed lead flashing and covered in grp to stiffen and waterproof it. The idea is as the boat rocks one way the unweighted side of the board rises allowing it to slip down through the water easily, then as the boat rocks the other way the board is pulled horizontal offering considerable resistance to the roll. Having it on one side of the boat working in one direction ensures each direction has a different resonant frequency to help prevent that resonant build up of rolling that has everything crash to the floor. Of course it's no use under way, but makes things easier when anchored somewhere. I think some fishing boats have towed things on booms out the side to alleviate rolling, but not sure how that could be adapted to a life boat in ice.
Congrats on successfull sea trial! Just an idea but I think you should make same kind of simple crane or winch system on aft to load/unload batteries and other stuff more easily. Good luck and have fun.
I’ve been interested in these rescue boats for the last couple of months and I came across your channel and I have to say for the links of your presentation I actually stayed the entire time which is not typical of me on RUclips unless I’m extremely interested in the Content, great job, great presentation very interesting topic
Rapid roll? Allen does have tubby lines - about like a barrel apart from the tiny keel. Have you considered bilge keels? Cleverly done, they could be handy where the mud and tide await to trap you into an overnight stay.
You should keep harnesses on the seats for bad weather. when operating ELBs you are not suposed to to be free from harness. to avoid injuries when rolling as well as using helmets to avoid smashing your head. i bet the pilot seat isnt great for visibily and easily fogs up i would recomend also a (night vision if posible) camera on the bow.
Also some Rain-X "anti-fog" for interior, and Rain-X "rain repellent" on the outside of the windshield might be helpful. So happy I stumbled upon your brilliant channel! So cool that Alan's adventures have only just begun. 🥮🫖😎👍
Maybe a small set of outriggers/oma's will stabilize the rolling and provide a net or deck area to both sides. Any consideration for solar panels? What is the ultimate purpose/use?
Awesome boat and idea. I think roll with that boat will be a problem in its life, even if you ballast it and try to adjust. That being said, what an awesome idea for a low cost boat for adventure. Not surprised people convert these to houseboats.
Very cool, I like it! I would fabricate two retractable outriggers that could be lowered and locked into place to help sooth the roll in choppy waters.
Few life improvers for a sea: nmea like system with a GPS, magnetic compass and underwater speed sensor. This would give you heading over ground vs magnetic heading and speed over ground vs water speed. Also think about maybe a navtex (get storm warnings and weather forecasts), ais reciever (get warned before you get hit by a huge boat in the middle in the ocean) and maybe autopilot (explains itself), steering remote (steer while sitting on the deck) and some emergency equipment (inflatable lifeboat for your lifeboat and some *pyrotechnic* flares). Btw love your vids.
I think these are a great base for a modified boat, solve ventilation (those things are quiet moist inside if used) and you are pretty much sorted out. But I think you know what you are doing!
Thanks Alex, enjoying the journey of Alan. Given you're off to much colder climes, have you considered a few extra stainless safety railings around the stern, bow and not least for the accessing the top out of those sides.....?
May I suggest a bunch of V shaped wide black lines in the direction of movement, over the roof? Will make it instantly not look like a lifeboat, and fits with the theme
you know I know very very little but I have seen some people do some amazing things in the ocean. one thing I saw a guy do was make a small bedroom that had padding on all surfaces and seatbelts to strap in in crazy weather. he showed a video of why he did it and his boat was gyrating so much that he was sometimes suspended in mid air and once he was almost knocked unconscious. He was in one of those ocean crossing rowing boats. I know thats not what you are in but after watching how your boat moves I thought about a place to be able to go in crazy weather that would not end up breaking your arm or worse.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals I was thinking more about sleeping but yeah, harnesses, something to keep you from hitting your head on things and keeping your neck from getting hurt. Im interested to see how it behaves in rolling waves.
I attempted to buy a lifeboat about 15 years ago… I failed find one for sale… glad to see someone else was more successful… I wanted to do the Loop in America.
Don't forget when running auxiliary tank[s] that the return line needs to return to the feed tank. If the return line goes back to the contaminated tank well then it's lost. The plumbing and switching for that can be quite complex in an emergency and is a system likely to confuse when needed most esp if it is manually operated. Also gal strapped together like that does corrode if it gets wet. I know because I drive trucks for a major steel company and all galvanized steel product has to be tarped if raining and some suppliers won't allow you to leave their facility even in the middle of a heatwave without the load being tarped. It's a very serious thing in the steel transport and distribution industry. Customers go crazy if their gal products get wet and many won't accept it. It gets white rust, where the zinc starts to convert to zinc oxide, exposing the base metal which then rusts rapidly - and that's just rainwater. Same electrolysis as dissimilar metals, but in this instance zinc and mild steel - each piece acting as a battery plate.
All went swimmingly as I would expect ... it was built to save lives in the worst of conditions after all and while you have a specific job in mind for Alan .. I'm looking at a live aboard pipe dream for him or one like this ... the change I would make is to add more visibility especially from the helm .. I would want to see where I was going better ... other than that ... it's a great little craft ..!
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yeat but it would be a good idea to replace all of the engine hoses. Do that before the last sea trial before an expedition would probably be the best timing. These are lifed items.
Two pvc pipes running the length of Alan just above the water line would mitigate much of the roll ,how you would attach them without to much damage to the hull is something to think about, but I do believe it would work well,
you need to rig up some outrigger stabilizers for this tender little vessle! I'm not sure if they are called "Birds" in the UK, but there you go. should help tremendously. if you feel like spending a fortune, a seakeeper would also help but probably be crazy overkill. cheers!
Loving the project so far. Are you going to put a step by the port hatch? You stood directly on this threshold several times just in this vid, could be a weak point?
May I suggest fold down running boards, as I can see difficulty on rocky waters, some sort of Winch or rope and lock, so the lifeboat dynamics are not altered when needed?also be a cool gimmick to sell to others lol.
![Lifeboat Conversion Ep21: First improvements following sea trials [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LGHuvXGjV6M/mqdefault.jpg)
![Lifeboat Conversion Ep21: First improvements following sea trials [4K]](/img/tr.png)
![Alan the lifeboat heads north LEG 3: Grimsby (Humber) aiming for Newcastle via Scarborough.Ep93 [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MHsWmEKt27c/mqdefault.jpg)
For those of you who've missed earlier episodes, bilge keels or deeper keels are discounted for use due to vulnerability to sea ice. I won't be replying to each comment suggesting them from this point on!
I’d think about placing a second back up line on your “support dinghy”. Last thing you need is the main line to disintegrate or loosen when you least expect it and when you need that dinghy. If you can, might be worth making triangular clip on seats that you can slot on top of the support bars on top. Just means you can have a reasonably stable seating position in the corner or your choice but somewhere you can enjoy on calm days - just a thought. Well done on your progress!
Yfyfyt
I agree no keel weights. An.old friend built his second catamaran called Quee Queeg 2. It overturned in rough seas in Madagascar it lost one keel.
A
Your based on Canvey Island????
Quirky boating, DIY, and dry British humor? This channel is everything I could want. Just binged this whole series this afternoon and I'm looking forward to more!
Cheers Derek
"..the engine was still there" dude you crack me up every time.
Yes, that was pleasing :) Although, having recently re-read “Good Omens”, I also wondered whether Alex was seriously considering the reactor having vanished 😎
Alan may be short, squat and slow, but he's definitely the Danny DeVito of the seas. Congratulations on the sea trials.
Danny DeOrange...
@@Mr_Right DeVito is a surname of a famous actor
@@mesofius I knew that >8(= )
@@Mr_Right I'm not so sure...
Alan finally got wet, and not just from above
well done mate !
I'm relieved I wasn't the only one to think Apollo interior.
Dunno how I ended up down this rabbit hole but these lifeboats are apparently surprisingly cute. Definitely would make a more interesting house than a canal barge
You mentioned sleeping platforms
Given adaquite warmth, reinforcement, and willpower, hammocks could be more comfortable (they accommodate somewhat for roll) and space efficient.
My dad (RN 1942-1947) swore by hammocks for comfort warmth and security. He hated bunks. Plus they can be rolled up and stowed out of the way when not in use and take seconds to deploy. So I concur with your suggestion.
@@wideyxyz2271 I concur with your concurrence. I exclusively used a hammock during the hiking and camping period of my life and also found them to be secure and warm. Plus, much easier to roll up and stow in a backpack than a bunk would be. Cheers
Total RUclips domination? I'm in.
Correct answer.
Alan, our Orange, squat, overlord.
A depth finder would be a good add on especially for shallow conditions and gps as well as with some lowrance ones you get a map gps, depth finder and can even set waypoints. You Might also be able to have a speedometer on it too. You should cross drill the top rail so you can rely on it and maybe even use a stronger pipe so it’s a proper railing that you can lean on.
Depth sounder yep - as well as a forward facing ice finder would be good. A speedo - not sure accurate enough for a 0-6 knot range!
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Your depth sounder can also function as a knot meter. I would look at the in hull options. They can shoot right through the fiberglass bottom. Easy to install and no holes in the boat.
Especially when dealing with tides you'll want to know your speed in the water vs true speed (GPS)
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Bucket and knotted rope for speed lol oh and a decent chronograph..
@@otm646 SOG
Speed
Over
Ground
And a rear view mirror. You could see what's behind you, as well as the sky without having to get up and turn around. : )
Sound proofing the engine is great and you should do your best, but, in my Diesel Motorsailer, which is actually pretty quiet, the engine drone still gets to me after a couple of hours and I have resorted to wearing earplugs which for me makes things quite pleasant. It also cuts out most of that nagging sound from the wif......I mean other crew members too! :) Great vids!
I hear you. Headphones for whoever is on the radio is likely to be necessary, for a start.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals The current state of technology for headphone with noise cancellation is worth looking into, giving you the best of both worlds. I'm currently watching this video with a pair.
@@PlasmaOscillations Fully agree. I have a pair of over-ear Sony headphones and in-ear earphones I use all the time. They were originally purchased for long international flights. They work incredibly well. It is a little strange, however, as I can't hear other people or the stewardess but it feels like I can still hear a little of the plane itself. I think that's more to do with "feeling" the plane and imagining the sound than actually hearing it....
Name a more iconic duo, I'll wait. Thanks Alex for this fantastic episode. Dick was a pleasure to watch and listen to. Onwards with the next chapter of Alan's journey!
Dick is a champ indeed.
Wow that opening drone clip at the opening. Little boat big waters. You have done so many awesome things to thing ship.
Kind words
Man... Alex, I am so drunk at the moment but, I am really proud at this appraisal of ALAN within your own prerequisites and the old man despite his doubts which I can see you both respect and are determined to transcend for the sake of your quizzical venture called. ALAN
My (admittedly limited) understanding of boat stability is that concentrating all the ballast in a limited area may not actually be the best option, as this gives a focus for the boat to oscillate around, which could militate against the form stability of a fairly boxy hull-form (sorry Alan!) You have the luxury of a relatively large internal volume compared with a lot of recreational craft of similar length, I wonder if there's any benefit i spreading the ballast bars more widely? Naval architects who understand metacentric heights are welcome to destroy my suggestion. Good to see him afloat!
Not a naval architect, but from what i know of calculating stability when loadinc cargo on ships, the most effective way to slow down rolling movements is to out weight higher up.
Pretty sure allan is so small though (im sorry Allan) that in order to get the rolling period of allan below any waves, he will be upside down allready. Might iron out some small violent shakes though. (Think an oldschool metronome with the weight low vs with the weight high)
Cool! And I loved the footage of Red Sands. It is, in my humble opinion, one of the coolest-looking WWII relics still in existence.
The brewing of copious mugs of tea brings to my mind the need for a pee tube for the helmsman.
Nice to see Alan afloat. Re the rolling: Bilge keels you've already rejected due to ice. Good call. Stabilising booms and anti roll "fish” on cables are relatively cheap. Just use hinged aluminium pipe and painted steel fish. Super common on small fishing boats. Watching the roll period Alan is VERY stable. One other item that you could consider is an anti roll U tube tank. They are partly filled with sea water. You have to adjust the amount of water and cross flow tube restriction so that the natural frequency of the tank is the same as the roll period but 180 deg out of phase with Alan's natural roll period. Harder to sort out compared to booms and fishes.
Thanks. I'll investigate. The nuances of boat roll etc are more complex than first realised.
Love the way you describe Allen as it is apart of a family but for sure I agree that Allen is my big brother that I look upon to. Thank you Mate
Thank you for acknowledging my provocative attempt at humor on the last one. Cheers. I'll bring you some pastries next time I'm in London. ;) You should ship him off to do sea trials in the Caribbean during hurricane season. Haha
Nah we know your boat belches out bright red smoke from its exhaust 😂 “I paid the full tax”
"I paid the full tax". An honourable yet joyless epitaph for a headstone.
Came here from curiously looking for interiors of life boats for no particular reason, as one does. And I stumbled on you video. And for the life of me I can't believe no one in the comment section has point out how you look like Robert Downey Jr's doppelganger. And here I thought Iron Man was into converting a life boat. Well wishes to you and Alan!
You're certainly not the first!
I did a fair bit of research on sound insulation when rebuilding an old land rover 101 a few years back, as in the cab you sit right beside the engine. Foam will help a bit with reflected sound but if you want to reduce noise transmission you really need a layer of the most dense material possible. I went for thin lead 'foil' in the engine cover but there are other options like rubber sheets with high density mineral 'fillers'.
Thanks Andrew - interesting. There's certainly a lot to read about the minutiae of sound reduction in its many forms.
Lovely to see your progress Alex and so full of interesting lessons to be learned from all your developments. This is all a great asset to all the other lifeboat projects under way and is very much appreciated. One little comment I must make is for you to get into the habit of ALWAYS tying a secondary safety line to your little tender on a secondary point whilst being towed along at the back of you. We learned the hard way many years ago when some unnoticed chaffing on the line led to our tenders disappearance under passage! We had friends quite recently also lost and never recovered over £8k's worth of dingy, electric outboard and lithium batteries during a coastal passage. They are still fighting their insurance company over a year later that have deemed the issue as their negligence. Keep up the good work my friend, you are a great ambassador for this fraternity. Regards Gavin (Scottish Borders) Electrical engineer currently planning full solar & kite powered craft.
Noted!
Your friend Alan is absolutely right about learning to manover your boat, backing up and figure of eights and they are semi standard tests both for driver and boat and are best practiced in flat clam conditions, a single screw boat will always prop steer at low speed, so to have any control going astern you need to get way on (speed) once going astern keep the rudder straight and only give it tiny corrections to get where you want to go 2 or 3 degrees from centerline. You haven't run then engine flat out of an hour or so, you need to know if it is going to do it.
That's a really nice boat you've got there!
I can't imagine a more robust vessel than the one you chose, it makes for a very good starting point.
How strange that some viewers are hostile to a man working to get his boat just how he wants it, it would be difficult to imagine a more positive thing than what you're doing!
I shall have to spend some time watching your earlier videos in order to discover what you've done and the reason that you're doing it.
Lifeboats have come a long way since the days of open boats and yours looks to be quite sophisticated.
Congrats Alan, you’re almost on your way!! You look great on the water, ya dinky little boat. 🥰
Very nice flying on that drone, I’m quite impressed.
Cheers
i'm not sure why this was in my feed, nor why I watched it, but in order to take part, I am unadulteratedly outraged. Well done.
Cheers
I've been seeing these lifeboats on RUclips for a while now. They look like they'd be great as a houseboat, much like people convert a bus to a RV.
Only some of them have standing room the whole way along inside.
I really like this life boat. It seems safe and comfy.
Great vids buddy, Im not even an ocean man and I absolutely enjoy these vids of yours. Kind regards from South Africa.
Hi. Yes, Alan needs plenty of ballast to help against lateral rolling. It is designed to self-right after a capsize, so needs lots of ballast low down in the keel. This will also help against rolling and make Alan sit better in the water. The downside is that it will make Alan even slower and possibly harder to control, or not as responsive. Alan was designed to keep people alive, in open seas, until help arrived, not as a pleasure cruiser. Alan is a great craft though, and I can't wait to see your adventures in him.
Having only recently discovered, and subsequently caught up through a solid binge watching session on all activities thus far, I can only say how disappointed I am to now have to wait in line for the next update. Liked and subbed.
Cheers Chris
Observations and suggestions (both can be, and likely will be ignored)
Ascetics: 17:05 not the worst, then we see the worst (glad I had not eaten yet today)
Steering: while (almost) completely unfeasible a steerable shroud would solve a lot of issues
Rolling: stabiliser vanes below the waterline 1/3rd back from the bow at 45 deg from the horizontal would help and likely not add to the draught.
EGT sensor: would be useful in monitoring the health and performance of the engine and turbo if fitted at the end of the exhaust headers.
Awesome project, I’ve enjoyed watching it come along. You asked for suggestions, so I’ve got one. You might get a hair better fuel consumption by routing the engine intake through the cover to let it suck colder air
Indeed - ports for air cooling hoses you might be able to see in the driving console insulation.
I am once again voicing my displeasure with the lack of angle grinders in this otherwise entertaining video. If this absence continues to plague your videos then I may be forced to reconsider my subscription and hamper your plan for total dominance.
Noted. Overruled.
Agreed. I think an angle grinder would have enormously sped up the painting.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals I suggest that perhaps you could install a picture of an angle grinder for artistic aesthetics to adorn the cabin wall. It could be a micro painting. Or not. Cheers.
In my country, for a boy to become a man. A ceremony involving angle grinders and fuel tanks and other secret rites. It is truly great, as is our unconnected low ratio of adult men to adult women.
I had almost given up on reading well thought provoking comments,now I can’t get the image of a grinder out of my head.
Hammocks have a great advantage in cold climates as they can be slung high up in the cabin where the warm air collects.
If you choose to use them, be sure to stretch them very taut (RN style), not in a slack, dangling sling configuration (as seen in the movies), which will result in sleep-apnea, backache and stiffness as well as muscle fatigue.
Good tip. I've never got on well with hammocks. Maybe this is why.
Great video. Couple ideas: some type of bow thruster - thinking on a hinge to drop into water as needed. Second steering wheel and throttle mounted high (no need for foot). GPS guided autopilot (when in open seas it is really point A to point B). In general, it needs more brackets.
Autopilot, sure. Just a funding issue.
Bow-trusters are likely overkill for the amount of tight manoeuvres Alan's is called upon to perform.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Mine has one of the old style drive motors connected to the wheel by a belt with a control module that just holds a compass bearing. I'm not sure if they still sell them new but maybe a second hand one would be cheap and be good enough?
You got the most reliable engine on the planet high quality
If you can, install a water separator filter assembly with manual pump. Dirty fuel is always a problem w diesels. Cheers.
There's an inline course filter, and a water separator/fine filter fitted prior to the engine's own filter.
One thing you might wish to consider is adding a small deck to be taken inside or stowed topside .. something you could stand flatfooted on .. just outside the side doors. Maybe even a permanent deck off the stern to give you some extra footing, etc. Enjoying the build process .. really cute boat.
Thanks - standby for a stern deck!
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Awesome! lol 🙂
Loving the detail you've put in this video
Two years before the mast by R H D Jr was a story that every one needs to know about before going to Sea for some reason , this remindes of the Alan
So I've been completely addicted to watching these videos ever since episode 1. Great job amazing
Cheers Daniel
I know what you mean about the first time you fly a drone off the boat and out over the water, it made for some nice shots though. There are generally four or five Thames barges where I am moored so you have to watch out for the tall masts rather than the usual trees.
excellent job you are doing. love to see thing get a new life. a thought on the anchor mounting if you have not done so already. as there are two metal brackets on the bow just above waterline, you might fabricate a mount there. and perhaps a small grate to stand on when handling the anchor. safe journeys.
I don't care what people say negatively about Alan, I like Alan lol perfect size for just about anything
Just found this series. Glad to see Alan getting touchups.
Great idea with the tank to figure out fuel consumption. I might swipe that idea as it really is time I got accurate figures.
Patent pending.
At last a decent length Alan show!! 👌
Presumably the pilot's position will have a 5-pt harness to hold them in place in actual weather.
Can you route the engine cooling water to produce a tea-water warmer?
I love how you combine the vital and the banal.
As far as blogs. vlogs n sea dogs go, very enjoyable humorous vid. nice one!
Thanks alot for this video. I have often wondered about those cute little boats, even to the point of looking to buy one. After living most of my life on my sailboats, perhaps one of those little fellows will be in my future. I find life at six knots to be more than adequate for happiness.
I noticed a knife sitting loose on the bench. Maybe some magnetic stripping could give you a place to put loose tools when they need to be left out for access
I like this idea
I've I've always though of getting one of these boats and fitting it with a mast and sails and putting a keel kinda like the Dutch racing barges are made. With a retractable keel on each side . Seems like they have a lot of room to work with
I'm so happy to see you in the water! Hope you're having an amazing experience! I'm looking forward to see you traveling soon.
Cheers!
A modern day "Noah's ark". Good little boat, you just forget to give us the "toot toot" to hear from Allen. Nice video and a welcome sight to "sea".😜
You need 2 outriggers with suspension. To reduce roll.
You could do active noise cancelling to reduce engine noise. A mic inside the box and laptop plugged into speakers.
That's "Tasmanian Liquid Sunshine" coming in drops, all the way from "Straya".
At anchor could use a "flopper stopper" to reduce rolling. There are some commercial ones, and numerous designs for diy. I built mine myself, a plywood square weighted on one side with reclaimed lead flashing and covered in grp to stiffen and waterproof it. The idea is as the boat rocks one way the unweighted side of the board rises allowing it to slip down through the water easily, then as the boat rocks the other way the board is pulled horizontal offering considerable resistance to the roll. Having it on one side of the boat working in one direction ensures each direction has a different resonant frequency to help prevent that resonant build up of rolling that has everything crash to the floor.
Of course it's no use under way, but makes things easier when anchored somewhere. I think some fishing boats have towed things on booms out the side to alleviate rolling, but not sure how that could be adapted to a life boat in ice.
Congrats on successfull sea trial! Just an idea but I think you should make same kind of simple crane or winch system on aft to load/unload batteries and other stuff more easily. Good luck and have fun.
That would waste the free physical training!
11-2-2022 Congratulation, that's ( they ) are the best made boat in the world .
I’ve been interested in these rescue boats for the last couple of months and I came across your channel and I have to say for the links of your presentation I actually stayed the entire time which is not typical of me on RUclips unless I’m extremely interested in the Content, great job, great presentation very interesting topic
I'll pass the compliment along to Alan
Checkout wave rover hull wings they markedly reduce rolling.
I support your plan for dominance by purchasing some merch. While unfortunately located in the Colonies I so enjoy seeing your progress.
Good man.
Recommend looking at Avon RHIB tunnel hull design to assist with stability. Pvc pipe could be added to mimic the design process.
Will have a look
I think you should install a walk around deck ..like a 12inchs wide bolt on shelf . ..and also extend the rear deck by 3 more feet
The final bit..... watch this space
Alan's had better safety testing than the clotshot! Enjoying the series.
Wasn't expecting that indeed.
Rapid roll? Allen does have tubby lines - about like a barrel apart from the tiny keel. Have you considered bilge keels? Cleverly done, they could be handy where the mud and tide await to trap you into an overnight stay.
They've been a daily topic of debate on here - discounted due to vulnerability to sea ice.
You should keep harnesses on the seats for bad weather. when operating ELBs you are not suposed to to be free from harness. to avoid injuries when rolling as well as using helmets to avoid smashing your head. i bet the pilot seat isnt great for visibily and easily fogs up i would recomend also a (night vision if posible) camera on the bow.
Also some Rain-X "anti-fog" for interior, and Rain-X "rain repellent" on the outside of the windshield might be helpful. So happy I stumbled upon your brilliant channel! So cool that Alan's adventures have only just begun. 🥮🫖😎👍
Maybe a small set of outriggers/oma's will stabilize the rolling and provide a net or deck area to both sides. Any consideration for solar panels?
What is the ultimate purpose/use?
Have a scan through the episodes - quite a few on both those topics :)
Awesome boat and idea. I think roll with that boat will be a problem in its life, even if you ballast it and try to adjust. That being said, what an awesome idea for a low cost boat for adventure. Not surprised people convert these to houseboats.
Very cool, I like it! I would fabricate two retractable outriggers that could be lowered and locked into place to help sooth the roll in choppy waters.
Congrats on the sea trial!! Can’t wait to see where Alan takes you!!
Cheers
Few life improvers for a sea: nmea like system with a GPS, magnetic compass and underwater speed sensor. This would give you heading over ground vs magnetic heading and speed over ground vs water speed. Also think about maybe a navtex (get storm warnings and weather forecasts), ais reciever (get warned before you get hit by a huge boat in the middle in the ocean) and maybe autopilot (explains itself), steering remote (steer while sitting on the deck) and some emergency equipment (inflatable lifeboat for your lifeboat and some *pyrotechnic* flares). Btw love your vids.
Alex already mentioned AIS. If you buy it for him he will send you his prototype t-shirt. I believe Alan already has a magnetic compass.
I think these are a great base for a modified boat, solve ventilation (those things are quiet moist inside if used) and you are pretty much sorted out. But I think you know what you are doing!
Cheers
Thanks Alex, enjoying the journey of Alan. Given you're off to much colder climes, have you considered a few extra stainless safety railings around the stern, bow and not least for the accessing the top out of those sides.....?
A few perhaps, but got to keep everyone's eye on the ball.
I think it's nice, that you called tools on board same name as the boat
May I suggest a bunch of V shaped wide black lines in the direction of movement, over the roof? Will make it instantly not look like a lifeboat, and fits with the theme
I'm certainly thinking up more ways to make it clear visually that Alan is decommissioned.
I clicked on this by accident and am very pleasantly surprised and want to go to the start.
Cheers!
you know I know very very little but I have seen some people do some amazing things in the ocean. one thing I saw a guy do was make a small bedroom that had padding on all surfaces and seatbelts to strap in in crazy weather. he showed a video of why he did it and his boat was gyrating so much that he was sometimes suspended in mid air and once he was almost knocked unconscious. He was in one of those ocean crossing rowing boats. I know thats not what you are in but after watching how your boat moves I thought about a place to be able to go in crazy weather that would not end up breaking your arm or worse.
Quite right for those little cabins in ocean row boats. I think we'll probably fit a few harnesses to the cabin walls.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals I was thinking more about sleeping but yeah, harnesses, something to keep you from hitting your head on things and keeping your neck from getting hurt. Im interested to see how it behaves in rolling waves.
Totally awesome to see the updates :)
I attempted to buy a lifeboat about 15 years ago… I failed find one for sale… glad to see someone else was more successful… I wanted to do the Loop in America.
They seem to be available in very specific locations and then, only sporadically.
Congrats! Maybe you can add an endoscopic inspection cam to your list of tools needed.
Already bought, to investigate a leak in a void a while ago. Excellent thinking.
Don't forget when running auxiliary tank[s] that the return line needs to return to the feed tank. If the return line goes back to the contaminated tank well then it's lost. The plumbing and switching for that can be quite complex in an emergency and is a system likely to confuse when needed most esp if it is manually operated.
Also gal strapped together like that does corrode if it gets wet. I know because I drive trucks for a major steel company and all galvanized steel product has to be tarped if raining and some suppliers won't allow you to leave their facility even in the middle of a heatwave without the load being tarped. It's a very serious thing in the steel transport and distribution industry. Customers go crazy if their gal products get wet and many won't accept it.
It gets white rust, where the zinc starts to convert to zinc oxide, exposing the base metal which then rusts rapidly - and that's just rainwater. Same electrolysis as dissimilar metals, but in this instance zinc and mild steel - each piece acting as a battery plate.
May I suggest installing wind shield wipers with a manual back up handle.
You may!
Yeah a new video of Alan
All went swimmingly as I would expect ... it was built to save lives in the worst of conditions after all and while you have a specific job in mind for Alan .. I'm looking at a live aboard pipe dream for him or one like this ... the change I would make is to add more visibility especially from the helm .. I would want to see where I was going better ... other than that ... it's a great little craft ..!
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yeat but it would be a good idea to replace all of the engine hoses. Do that before the last sea trial before an expedition would probably be the best timing. These are lifed items.
Thanks Simon. Yes all the fuel hoses are new.
The cooling hoses are waiting for the major cooling system refit.
for the handrails coming loose,
mark and dimple the pipe where the set screws make contact. then use thread locker on the set screws.
A likely solution
@@AlexHibbertOriginals i used to work in a factory. This is what we'd do for stubborn pullies that liked to walk off their motor shafts😅
you need a wiper for the skippers window. Don't wanna get caught blinded in ruff weather and having to drive open hatch
We do.
Two pvc pipes running the length of Alan just above the water line would mitigate much of the roll ,how you would attach them without to much damage to the hull is something to think about, but I do believe it would work well,
you need to rig up some outrigger stabilizers for this tender little vessle! I'm not sure if they are called "Birds" in the UK, but there you go. should help tremendously. if you feel like spending a fortune, a seakeeper would also help but probably be crazy overkill. cheers!
You are amazing. Still learning every day....... Happy trails dear. Peace Love and Hope. Stay safe have a great day. Cheers....❤💙💛
Cheers
I can clearly hear the wind. Nice. Oh, and you were saying... something.
Loving the project so far. Are you going to put a step by the port hatch? You stood directly on this threshold several times just in this vid, could be a weak point?
It's 10mm of woven glass, so it's tough, but yes metal edging is coming to a hatch near you now.
Cool project. Like a big floating carrot! Love it :-)
May I suggest fold down running boards, as I can see difficulty on rocky waters, some sort of Winch or rope and lock, so the lifeboat dynamics are not altered when needed?also be a cool gimmick to sell to others lol.
A 4 foot wooden deck off the stern sure would give you more room, especially for fishing
We’re aiming for no less than total RUclips domination hahaha literally the only sentence that forced me to click the subscribe button 😂😂😂😂😂