Skipper’s Chair – P14032

Engineers:

Richard Dzionara-Norsen (ME)Jeffery Flowerday (ME)Jonathan Nguyen (ME)Kassandra Schlott (IE)

Project Overview● Re-design an

assistive sailing device

●Must fit in Sonar-Class Sailboat

●Must be non-permanent, mechanical system

●Design should allow anyone to use/build

BackgroundP12031 – Redesigned seat made by Keith Burhans, and catalogued parts

P13032 – Designed seat to fit 90% of population

*Both designs used samesteering device

Project Objectives●Maintain adjustability●Steer Sonar Sailboat●Minimize:

● cost of system●system weight●number of custom/machined parts●system installation and build times

Design Approach

Changed customer needs into measurable parameters

Important ERs Degree of tiller rotation

Minimum of 45 degrees Lock points along track

At least 3 stop points Force required to move tiller

no more than 12 lbs Number of tools needed

Less than 5 different tools

Design Approach●Trip to Piers Park Sailing Center to better

understand customer needs and design application

●Worked with current devices to assess pros and cons of future prototypes

Final Design

Final Design Overview ●Used some pieces from previous design

●Track Platform●Chair Platform●Base Platform

●PVC Components:●Lighter●Cheaper●Easier to modify/replace

Components: PVC Chair

● Design for 90% of population

● Lighter● Cheaper

Components: Track Platform Supports● Taken from P13031 (previous Jib Transfer

group)

Components: PVC Steering Arms

● Customizable● Less custom parts● Intuitive design

Line Diagram - Side

Line Diagram - Top

Test Results● 22 degrees of tiller rotation● Infinite amount of lock points● Steering system doesn’t fail under extreme

loads● Installation:

● Time reduced ● 4 Tools

Design Successes● Reduced:

● System weight● Overall system cost● Custom/machined parts

● Improved steering● More genuine sailing experience● Easier to assemble

● Easier system assembly/installation● User does not come in contact with boom

System Shortfalls● Tiller has limited range of motion

● Smaller “gear ratio” than previous iterations

● Lines bind under excessive pressure

● Some machined parts still present● Range of motion limited

● Chair and steering conflicts

Future Improvements●Focus on steering for maximum usage

●Simplify handholds

●Work with more local disabled sailing communities

Overall Lessons Learned●Importance of planning

●Independent decision making●Difference between customer needs and

feasibility

●Ropes are for cowboys

Questions?