[Question] Pirates Propulsion

[Werner]

Wondering about the way the boats in Pirates of the Caribbean are moved along. Besides the "conveyer belt"-type system used in the loading/unloading area, I assume there are "jets" of water every so often that create a current throughout the attraction.

Anyone have any more detail on this? I'm curious about the types of "jets", how closely they're spaced, etc. Also, I'm wondering if there is any control over them, in order to speed up or slow down the boats?

Also, I'm wondering if there is any sort of "feedback loop", or mechanism by which boats are kept spaced out at all? Other than the "brakes" at the top of each "waterfall", it does all seem rather random, and not really controlled (as evidenced by "log jams", wherein several boats are clumped together bow-to-stern.)

[Broadway Guru]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

Yes, the whole "track" is lined w/ small water jets like the jets in a jacuzzi. The jets create an artificial current which the boat can ride. I don't believe there is any special mechanism to keep the boats spaced out, other than timing at the loading dock. If you do get into one of those logjams you mentioned, you can feel the jets firing against the boat, trying to push it along.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

How deep is the water?

How much weight can one boat hold without hitting the bottom of the flume?

[Quentin]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

They definitely can control the speed. On Splash Mountain I swear I have been on it when it changed speed during the day. I remember it going a lot faster on one of my second rides later in the day.

[Princess Victoria]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

They definitely can control the speed. On Splash Mountain I swear I have been on it when it changed speed during the day. I remember it going a lot faster on one of my second rides later in the day.

That's interesting. Maybe the second boat had lesser weight on it?

[Quentin]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

That's interesting. Maybe the second boat had lesser weight on it?

It was on splash and both times it was just me and my mom in the log.

[smallworld]

Re: Pirates Propulsion

Every Role a Starring Role - Maintaining Pirates of the Caribbean - YouTube

If you look at the :32 mark, the water isn't that deep.