VIP.S93
A view of the Contrapel propulsors
North Island
+64 (9) 358 2050
South Island
+64 (3) 383 4399
"Super-Oscillation." The product name "Contrapel" was chosen
to describe the invention, which is derived by combining parts of
the words contra-rotation and propeller. It was decided to call the
rotating blades within the unit "Hybrid propellers" in recognition
of the fact that they essentially operate as propellers, but in a
unique environment and with certain design requirements.
The development of high quality prototypes was essential to the
strategy at that time, which was to attempt to have the technology
adopted by large marine manufacturing companies. To this end
the company developed several demonstration prototypes. This
was not something for the faint hearted, as both 190mm, 270mm
units and a stationary pumping platform were developed. A 17
foot McLay hull was fitted out with a 190mm overhead mounted
engine and shipped to the United States along with a small
pontoon stationary pumping platform. The boat was displayed
at the United States Navy Small Craft Conference at Norfolk
Virginia for two consecutive years and a 270mm unit was placed
on display the following year.
Although it appeared that they were getting good feedback,
talk was easy, basically it would appear that they were getting
nowhere. In 2009 the world recession hit and the leisure marine
market halved. The boys' strategy would have to change. It
had become clear that unless they produced a commercial
version of the propulsor, which solved most, if not all of the
problems associated with water-jets or propellers, they would
continue to struggle to get traction in a rapidly shrinking and
protective market.
From the lessons learned in the United States, they now
knew that water-jets operating in Iraq were only lasting on
average three weeks due to high abrasion from the sand in
the water. In looking further afield with the down turn in the
western economies, Asia and South America had continued to
grow, with good demand for riverine and patrol craft. The
VIP.S88
Preparing to launch
CREW VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Help keep the call of the by-gone era of steam alive.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers, men and women,
to join our crew so the old hands may pass the skills of
yesteryear to the next generation of guardians of our heritage
steam tug William C Daldy. No experience necessary.
Are you interested in working boilers, steam engines or
just being on deck to learn new skills or refresh the old,
be it steam, engineering or seamanship? Do you enjoy
making new friends and the camaraderie of the sea?
If you answer yes, then please contact:
Alex Franklin, 027 568 8623 or Richard Parmee, 021 659 800
www.daldy.com
May/June 2013 Professional Skipper 21
