Hiyu is a 10’6” version of Harry Bryan’s Fiddlehead design, referred to as a “decked canoe.” Okoume plywood was used throughout the construction with the exception of the bottom planking. The vessel is designed to be paddled like a kayak. I developed the pedal drive utilizing a 10” primary pulley and two idler pulleys to redirect the v-belt to the bottom of the boat. The belt twists from vertical to horizontal as it approaches a 2” secondary pulley. Final drive is through an old outboard motor gearbox, turned backwards so the original propeller shaft is receiving the input, and vice-versa, in order to step up the propeller speed. The drive ratio is 1:11, so 50 rpm pedal speed produces 550 rpm at the propeller. Steering is accomplished using a joystick which actuates a rudder via drag link and bellcrank. Hiyu is a joy to knock around in and runs just like an inboard motorboat, without the stink and noise. She has all the bad features as well, such as she can’t be beached, can’t turn in reverse and the mere sight of weeds fouls the prop.
