3e2c7cc0@news.povray.org...
> What's the gear ratio? To me, it looks impossible to operate at a
> comfortable RPM, especially if you start from rest.

From www.museoscienza.org\english\leonardo\barca.htm

"Leonardo envisaged the driving paddle wheels of a boat being about 90 cm
long. The wheels intended to magnify the oarsmen's strength were designed as
being about 60 cm in diameter, and fitted with 16 cogs that engaged with a
sprocket wheel of about 15 cm in diameter fitted with 12 cogs. According to
Leonardo's calculations - leaving aside all mechanical and nautical
difficulties -, with a driving wheel making 50 rpm the boat would have
sailed at 50 miles per hour."

Hope this helps ;-)

PS: It's obvious that Leonardo was an optimist.
Bye

Txemi Jendrix
http://www.txemijendrix.com

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