Says something about what complexity of technology really gets you... not
really sure what, tho.
Hmm. Well I'm no engineer, but I think if were to try to make my Vgon into
an amphibious vehicle, I would probably finagle of sort of wide, shallow
(that is to say, oval through the cross-section) type of pontoon (can you
have one pontoon?) that extended past the ends of the vehicle and ended in
rounded points- picture a somewhat surfboard-shaped doohickey mounted
long-wise under the length of the van, but made to clear the axels and
what-not. That way you'd give yourself a 'prow' of sorts.
Then I'd add a smaller pontoon to each side where you'd have a running board
(can you have an odd number of pontoons?) so they would add buoyancy and act
as outriggers (this is assuming you could get the proper amount of
displacement within your size constraints). Then I'd fix a kind of
paddle-wheel on the outside of the rear wheels (so as to use the native
power plant), and attach rudders to the steering, perhaps in fixed position
outboard of the front tires- they'd probably have to made to fold in on
themselves so as not to interfere with steering on the road and then you'd
fold them out before you got wet. If you wanted to be nifty/purist you'd
figure out a way to do it so you could just drive into the water without
having to alter anything, which should be doable but I don't want to think
that hard at 4:30 in the morning.
Your paddle wheels,  rudders and outriggers couldn't extend out too far
sideways so you could still be road-legal, but I don't think they'd have to,
to be effective.
Steering in the water with rudders in the front is problematic, which is why
you don't see it very often (if at all) but I think it could be done. I
suppose if you really wanted to you could have a rear-mounted rudder
attached to the steering but it'd be slightly more complicated.

?

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Benny boy" <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:02 PM
Subject: Sinking Vanagon... race video (funny)

> I'm sure a few of you have seen this video (or those if from internet)...
> maybe not! It's from the "Yop-Gear" show in England.
>
> The following are a 5 parts video of a race between a Vanagon (and a
> strange
> one), an MG (i think) and a toyota pickup... an ""amphibian" race it is,
> and
> of course the Vanagon is the funniest one... the following links will
> re-direct you on youtube, just click and watch, of course, this is for the
> one who have high speed internet. I have laugh a lot. Yea, it's not
> friday,
> i know... but life is short, and a good laugh is always good! (for those
> with lower internet speed, choose the 3th and 4th)
>
> Enjoy, Benny boy
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XaL8tcevmk
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEAvjqebs4w
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKKeuSCBtYg
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tnl2zBJlsc&NR
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBJj7q2pLs0