Yes there are a few examples around, some of the older ice yachts use this setup but as a landyacht it puts the rear wheel [steering] in a castering position and VERY unstable at speed, very much like a forklift or shopping trolley.
4 Wheel yachts also have been tried but with the addional friction caused by the extra wheel and the complexity of the steering, they haven't taken off either.

But if you want to make a model yacht the 2 front wheels and rear steering works well.

it is all do-able and does work, perhaps with layover steering on the front wheels it could be a thing to do. you would end up with something that looked very batmobile at the front, but I dont see why not. would be a great way to build a billycart for windy roads(Like ESPERANCE!!!!!!!!)

I was just thinking about that Whike jigger. All the recumbant trikes I've seen have two front, 1 rear wheel. Which makes me wonder why that student designed his bike with two rear wheels, given that it really was a recumbant bike first, and landsailer second.

mrsquish said...


I was just thinking about that Whike jigger. All the recumbant trikes I've seen have two front, 1 rear wheel. Which makes me wonder why that student designed his bike with two rear wheels, given that it really was a recumbant bike first, and landsailer second.

because a rear drive for 2 rear wheels is complicated to build,and a single wheel is off the shelf. having ridden a few recumbent trikes with 2 front wheels , I would go 2 rear wheels any day. when you crash a recumbent you really do sit back and have a good think about why your doing it.. 2 rear wheels would make a better trike if the rear axles could be cheaply solved

landyacht said...

mrsquish said...


I was just thinking about that Whike jigger. All the recumbant trikes I've seen have two front, 1 rear wheel. Which makes me wonder why that student designed his bike with two rear wheels, given that it really was a recumbant bike first, and landsailer second.

because a rear drive for 2 rear wheels is complicated to build,and a single wheel is off the shelf. having ridden a few recumbent trikes with 2 front wheels , I would go 2 rear wheels any day. when you crash a recumbent you really do sit back and have a good think about why your doing it.. 2 rear wheels would make a better trike if the rear axles could be cheaply solved

Sorry mate, didn't see your post until I replied. This is a design I had in my head, the intersection of the tube on each side would be where the rear axels would be.

Yeah, I had similar ideas regarding getting the center of gravity down lower. That's why I had the idea of mounting the two rear wheel axels up higher on the frame, with the driver sitting in a tube cage of sorts.

The only issue would be knee clearance where the frame meets the mast, as the intention was for the pedels to be past the mast foot somewhere.

Here are some pics of one of my earlier yachts, sort of a cross between yacht and trike, the size of the yacht would be regarded as Mini-Mini.


Based on this design "Rickshaw"

Keeping it simple "The KISS Principle" is one thing. Yes! But did anybody think about rear wheel steering and Body weight countering Wheel Lift?? Hmmm?
Ain't no such beast with a Rear Wheeler.. There in lies a big part of Single up front and two to the rear Wind has to apply much more effort to tip us Fat Baskets Over.

Ah Yes! Seating arrangements.. What happens if one is sitting in a seat setup like they use on Land Kites?? Has anybody given any thought to the dangers of a Canvas Sling Seat???? Yer Butt is totally exposed to any object that you may pass over. What happens if you are Roaring down a stretch and there is a Gutter not seen until last minute> F*&@####! Butt first into a 6" Bank! Ooooh! My Aching Back" Seat Capsule any day.

Ron

Here is a link to some interesting info in regards to "Three Wheel Cars"
Primary Factors that Determine Handling & Rollover Characteristics.....

rqriley.com/the-dynamic-stability-of-three-wheeled-vehicles-in-automotive-type-applications/

Thats some interesting reading Gizmo,

Gives a pretty dim view of single front wheelers. Although the addition of a mast and sail complicates things as well.

It seems to me that the POMs had a thing called a Robin Sort of a Three Wheel Van which had brilliant Roll Over under brakes and sharp turn. Materials and CofG's may have changed today but I think they would still be a bit unstable at speed and wouldn't have as low a CofG as Land Yachts??
Just thoughts is all.
Ron

Nikrum said...

It seems to me that the POMs had a thing called a Robin Sort of a Three Wheel Van which had brilliant Roll Over under brakes and sharp turn. Materials and CofG's may have changed today but I think they would still be a bit unstable at speed and wouldn't have as low a CofG as Land Yachts??
Just thoughts is all.
Ron

The Robin was a single front wheel twin at the back,Morgan,BSA and Triumph all had Vtwin engines at front with single rear wheel drive,they were raced and were very succesfully

Yu cunnin' POME Sods.
Ron