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Four-Legged FREAK!

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtForum, Nov 21, 2006.

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  1. YachtForum, Nov 21, 2006
    #1
    YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    The following images and text are compliments of one of our members...

    **********​

    These pictures were taken in the Port of Illwaco on the Washington State coast. The crew wore civilian clothes but guarded the boat closely and would not answer any questions. It was suggested it may be something Boeing is working on. The pontoons appear to be made of very thick rubber. Note that each of the steel spider-like legs are jointed in three places. Perhaps the boat can be lowered in calm seas and raised when it is rough. The boat had no name or number...

    It was reported the craft arrived out of the fog the night before. The crew would not say who they were or where they were from, and were not allowed to discuss the craft.

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  2. YachtForum, Nov 21, 2006
    #2
    YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Word is... it was designed by San Francisco Bay area yacht designer Jim Antrim from Ugo Conti's original concept; it's 100 feet long and 50 feet wide; appearantly powered by twin diesel engines; the inflatable hulls were built by Arcata's Wing Inflatables; the craft was assembled in Anacortes, WA (where it was spotted several times during apparent sea trials); and is said to be capable of crossing oceans with "as much, if not more, stability than a normal catamaran," according to Jim Antrim.

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  3. YachtForum, Nov 21, 2006
    #3
    YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    If you look closely, you'll see a small prop protruding from underneath the fuselage...

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  4. Neil Rooney, Nov 21, 2006
    #4
    Neil Rooney

    Neil Rooney Senior Member

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  5. AMG, Nov 21, 2006
    #5
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Reminds me of a pair of gigantic windshield wipers...:D
  6. KCook, Nov 21, 2006
    #6
    KCook

    KCook Senior Member

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    Well, at least it can't be accused of being a cocktail cruiser :D
  7. airship, Nov 22, 2006
    #7
    airship

    airship Senior Member

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    Thunderbirds are GO...!

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    How's she handling Virgil?
  8. Loren Schweizer, Nov 22, 2006
    #8
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Roger, Rodger... Vector, Victor... Clearance, Clarence...
  9. CTdave, Nov 22, 2006
    #9
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    Surely you gest..........
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  10. CTdave, Nov 22, 2006
    #10
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    Getting back to the subject, I notice that in many of the pictures there are lines and straps holding things together. I guess they need to iron out a few of the little details.
  11. CTdave, Nov 22, 2006
    #11
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    Yep. If you look at the third picture from the top, it looks like just aft of the "cockpit", there is a, well, some sort of boat looking thingey that can be lowered down into the water.
  12. techmati, Nov 22, 2006
    #12
    techmati

    techmati Senior Member

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    its astonishing. perhaps the legs have some sort of shock absorbing function. i am wondering if the boat is a safety function so it detaches if there is a problem.

    looks like there is potential for a folding version for easy storage.
  13. C4ENG, Nov 22, 2006
    #13
    C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    I would have to believe that boat on the bottom of the super structure would probably be used for some sort of special forces to invade the next third world country that looks like they might have some oil or something that some one else may want.
  14. arion, Nov 24, 2006
    #14
    arion

    arion New Member

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    Recovery Vessel

    When I first saw it, I was thinking "Shuttle booster recovery Vessel".. Maybe a fast troop deployment or something aswell..

    Other than that , stick a big airship on top and you have a amphibious zepplin.
  15. tantetruus, Nov 24, 2006
    #15
    tantetruus

    tantetruus New Member

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    my guess is that the glass cabin itself stays rigid, but the closed compartment behind that can be lowered; what for is anyone's guess. The construction on the two gliders appear to be suspension.

    The height is a bit of a mystery to me; you might say that you stay well above the waves which of course is an advantage, but another view might be that you can put her above something like a regular boat or maybe a submarine:confused:
  16. CaptTom, Nov 24, 2006
    #16
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    Hmmm...designer is Jim Antrim?
    Any relations to Stan Antrim?
  17. arion, Nov 24, 2006
    #17
    arion

    arion New Member

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    Original patent

    Well heres the patent for the design, if this attachment thingy works :/

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  18. YachtForum, Nov 25, 2006
    #18
    YachtForum

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  19. Teenna, Nov 29, 2006
    #19
    Teenna

    Teenna New Member

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    Another confirmation of the old saying that with God's help and some dynamite (and money I added) a man can do anything.
  20. nano-J, Nov 29, 2006
    #20
    nano-J

    nano-J New Member

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    Submarine OPS

    I think it could possibly be a Submariner Special OPS platform, as would would have a very small to nil sound signature on sonar and probably same on the radar.
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