Jetboat gold dredge... one that works

[lbd]

Hi All

I have started this thread looking for like minded prospectors... this is what I have come up with... it is Mk2.... with refinements from Mk1... but still has a few wrinkles to iron out... but I am pleased to say it works well.

 

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[russau]

I wish I had one of those back in my day of dredging! Do you plan on leaveing any gold for the rest of the dredger's down there

 

[RudyT]

I’m not sure what you’re doing but the scenery is beautiful. Where is this river?

 

[lbd]

I may leave a bit... with this dredge I can access areas that have not been heavily worked

 

[lbd]

I’m not sure what you’re doing but the scenery is beautiful. Where is this river?

River and lake is in the top of the South Island... NZ

What am I doing... going dredging..

 

[RTR]

Clever idea good luck w/it

 

[Mgumby16]

Very nice! What did you use for the pontoons? and how much does it draft with a full load? The best option that ive come up with for accessing remote river locations where there is generally no boat ramp either is a flat back canoe with a custom outrigger that suspends the sluice box. Due to weight constraints a jet motor is not an option but we have found that mud motors work almost as well.

 

[Shankersbend]

I'm trying to upload an MP4 video (40 secs.) of my jet powered dredge but am having no luck, any ideas, Thanks.

 

[lbd]

What did you use for the pontoons? and how much does it draft with a full load?
we have found that mud motors work almost as well.

Built out of 3 and 5 mm aluminium

At rest about 8" and at speed about 3"

 

[lbd]

I'm trying to upload an MP4 video (40 secs.) of my jet powered dredge but am having no luck, any ideas, Thanks.

Upload to to You Tube first then paste the link here.

 

[Shankersbend]

That worked, thanks. This is the first time using the dredge pump to power the dredge upriver (Similkameen). My grandson didn't think it would work. I need more weight on the stern, and a real rudder, not a last second snow shovel.

 

[jsurddy]

That is a new life goal for me! Reminds me of a friend’s 8” river dredge he built out of aluminum, but not as streamlined.

 

[lbd]

That is a new life goal for me! Reminds me of a friend’s 8” river dredge he built out of aluminum, but not as streamlined.

just incase you missed it....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUTVbYAZA8E&feature=youtu.be

Works great, will be fitting some Vortex dream mat to the side sluices next week.

 

[Reed Lukens]

just incase you missed it....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUTVbYAZA8E&feature=youtu.be

Works great, will be fitting some Vortex dream mat to the side sluices next week.

The Vortex mat needs a lot of angle...

 

[lbd]

The Vortex mat needs a lot of angle...

Yes it does seem to need a lot of velocity to make it work... we shall see. It will be fitted after some miracle mat and expanded mesh and gold hog mats... I am a firm believer in mixing up different configurations...

I will be posting my conclusions with the vortex matting after I have tested it sufficiently.