[Acoustics] Riverboat SP

[Gregory J Stewart]

Steve,
        I tested the original prototype of the Riverboat SP. OceanScience 
made several of my recommended enhancements, but not all. Overall the 
Riverboat SP is a vast improvement over the smaller platform shipped with 
the StreamPro. We have tested it in up to 6 ft/s and in very turbulent 
conditions and found it to be a very stable platform. We found several 
problems with the current model. First, the boat doesn't come apart. The 
sliding crossbar has not been included in the platform, making 
transportation of the unit more difficult. Second, almost all of the 
weight of the completely assembled Streampro and Riverboat is in the 
electronics box of the Streampro. The location of the electronic box on 
the platform is very important to balance based on the deployment angle 
and water velocity. Currently adjusting the location of the electronic box 
can not be easily done. Lastly, the sensor height can not be easily 
adjusted. This was something that OceanScience felt they could do and it 
may be included on the Riverboat SP production model. My final concern was 
the price of the unit. Considering the cost of the RioGrand riverboat the 
price doesn't completely make sense, but you can be the judge. This was my 
opinion and does not signify the approval or support of the USGS. 
Greg 

-----------------------------------------------
Gregory J. Stewart P.E.
Data Section Chief
USGS Maine Water Science Center
196 Whitten Road
Augusta Maine 04330
tel: 207-622-8201 X 118
fax: 207-622-8204
email: gstewart at usgs.gov



Steven P Anders <spanders at usgs.gov> 
Sent by: acoustics-bounces at simon.er.usgs.gov
09/11/2006 06:00 PM

To
Wade Kress <wkress at usgs.gov>
cc
acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov
Subject
Re: [Acoustics] Riverboat SP







Wade, 

The boat that comes with the StreamPro is light and easily deployed but we 
have also had problems with it diving and swerving uncontrollably. When 
the stream surface is fairly smooth the boat is easy to control and works 
as it should even at velocity's greater than 4 fps but, when the stream is 
turbulent, the boat is difficult to control even at lower velocity's. 
Unfortunately for us, the majority of our rivers in Western Colorado have 
high velocity's and are turbulent. So yes, we are in hopes the new boat 
will help in these types of situations. I was in hopes that someone has 
tested it though, I just don't want to exchange one set of problems for 
another. 

Take care, 

*********************************
Steve Anders 
Lead Hydrologic Technician 
US Geological Survey - WRD
764 Horizon Dr RM 125
Grand Junction, CO. 81506
(970) 245-5257 ext 13
********************************* 


Wade Kress/WRD/USGS/DOI 
09/11/2006 03:31 PM 


To
Steven P Anders <spanders at usgs.gov> 
cc
acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov 
Subject
Re: [Acoustics] Riverboat SPLink









Steve, 

Are you considering the Riverboat SP due to problems with the boat that 
came with your stream pro.  I am asking because we like our streampro but 
have experienced problems with it trying to dive in water 3.5+ ft/sec.  I 
looked on Ocean Science's web page (
http://www.oceanscience.com/pdf/riverboatSp07_06.pdf) and I think that it 
would help us tremendously.   

Wade H. Kress
Supervisory Hydrologist
Texas Water Science Center
West Texas Program Office
U.S. Geological Survey, WRD
944 Arroyo Drive
San Angelo, Tx  76903-9345
325-944-4600 Office
325-280-1351 Cell 

Steven P Anders <spanders at usgs.gov> 
Sent by: acoustics-bounces at simon.er.usgs.gov 
09/11/2006 03:20 PM 


To
acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov 
cc

Subject
[Acoustics] Riverboat SP











I am considering purchasing one of the Ocean Science Riverboat SP's for 
the StreamPro ADCP. It's my understanding the USGS has not officially 
tested or approved the boat yet but, if there is someone who has used this 
boat and could provide some feedback it would be very appreciated. 

Regards, 


*********************************
Steve Anders 
Lead Hydrologic Technician 
US Geological Survey - WRD
764 Horizon Dr RM 125
Grand Junction, CO. 81506
(970) 245-5257 ext 13
*********************************
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