hydroplane project,

[allymoss]

Hello,

I am hoping to build a small-medium hydroplane for this summer. I have the will power unlike many in these projects!! I have come across some plans but they are a bit awkward as in, they are scanned and in language and measurements I don't work with. Yes im young so i am used to metric and will no doubt mess up with imperial. Sorry im being fussy but I will.
Im hoping to put a 50hp or more on the back (supposed to be terrifying so no one will get to WOT!)

http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=HydroPlanes/

They do free plans. I was wondering if there was anywhere that has free plans or plans very cheaply that are in good simple english.

2nd question

If I was to make a frame, would it be using normal plywood, then glassing and painting. Would it be marine plywood, or would it be normal plywood which is treated with some sort of sealer.

Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: hydroplane project,

fun proj...

use pressure treated ply....

hit search..on hydroplanes...

im gonna do some investigating for you

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: hydroplane project,

the link worked for me...but the sub links didnt....

wich one were you looking at.....

btw...you have a pm

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

thanks, im looking now. Ive got an ok plan but still looking for better

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: hydroplane project,

there are all kinds of plans here. "http://www.glen-l.com/kits/kit-p&p.html"

 

[Bondo]

Re: hydroplane project,

oops!,.....

Instead of clicking on the sub-links that don't work,....
Go to the top of the page,+ click on "Free Boat Plans" in the blue band near the top left corner of the page...
Then scroll down,.......

I just Love the "Flyer" about 1/4 the way down on the right,........

It looks a Suicidal ride,........ But I bet it would be Fun with a SBC in it.......

By the pictures,......
I'd guess the Newest design there is 1965..............

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

Yeah, flyer looks good, i like the idea of inboard in front of you. Im still opting for minimum weight and maximum speed. I have seen the Minimax on the Svensons website and it looks quite simple.
http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=HydroPlanes/minimax
And, I won't need a massive outboard, I will probably strengthen the transom with aluminium and put thicker supports on it and get a 20 or 25hp, that way, there will be practitcally unlimted power.

Ive looked up the costs of wood and everything I will need to buy to make one of these including an engine and steering, im going for everything new apart from the engine itself, but that as new as possible.

?500 put aside for the engine, total cost ?785
I need a few tools that I don't have due to recent clear out but need back again like a jigsaw comes in handy!

When built. At the end, im planning to put resin then fiberglass tape all the seems around the side and on the bottom then 2 more coats of resin. Then sand the whole body down and paint with 2 coats of white primer, then im going for 2 bright red topcoats. Is this correct?

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

I've got hold of a nice mercury blue band 20hp that will do perfectly on my hydroplane.

 

[oops!]

Re: hydroplane project,

heh heh heh........

dont bother wearing clean underwear........

have fun....

keep us posted

oops

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

My final total for the project

PLYWOOD
2 1/4" x 4' x 8' exterior plywood
1 1/4" x 15" x 32" exterior plywood
LUMBER
1 l"x8"xlO' spruce, hemlock or pine
1 1"x8"x8' spruce,hemlock or pine
1 l"x8"x8' spruce, hemlock or pine
1 l"xB"x8' spruce, hemlock or pine
1 11/4x13/4"x6' spruce,hemlock or pine


wood = ?100-?150 (quote from timber yard)



drill bit set ?5
wood screws ?10
Glue ?20 balcotan rapid
fibreglass ?30
paint ?30 White wood primer, topcoat
jigsaw ?20

other = ?115
subtotal = ?265

engine and steering and remotes = ?250 + ?80 + ?80 = ?420

total
?685

I think thats all but if there is anything else, please tell me if you notice.

Just so anyone else thinking of making one can get an Idea of the cost.

 

[flashback]

Re: hydroplane project,

you are gonna have fun!!! I built the scat cat from some popular mech. plans about 45 years ago..still got the boat, but the motor is long gone..I keep saying I'm gonna get another motor for it...

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: hydroplane project,

When I was 16-17 a buddy and I (both heavily into woodshop, vica, etc) built one almost identical to the air marine special but would hold both of us. I think it netted out at about 11' 6" tip to tail. It had an old fourty horse ob on it and would fly even with both of us in it. Took it to Lake Powell one time and was crusing the early morning glass, then hit an un seen till it was too late cruiser wake. The entire front 12 " of it snapped off and it went down instantly. I still can't believe we both made it out with heads still attached to our bodies. The only thing that saved it was the fuel cell which was all but empty, kept it from going to the bottom. Only thing visible was about two inches of the cowl above water. Got someone to drag us to shore, loaded it onto the trailer took it home dismantled it and never spoke of it again. The build, first trip to test, and all the excitement leading up to it was well worth it all. Take your time on all aspects of the build don't rush or half ***** anything. See it through to completion and have some fun. I don't want to sound like dad but be safe on it wear a jacket for sure and build up to speed runs. Get the feel of how it handles, takes waves, corners etc. If you go with the 20 hp blue band you will have more on it than the orig build calls for and they had it going 40+ just keep that in mind, cause things happen fast at 40 on the water. Keep us posted and send pics of the build process, almost makes me want to try another well almost....

 

[oops!]

Re: hydroplane project,

gonna need a bit more for fiberglass and supplies...60 bucks aint gonna get you much.....id at least double that amount....poss triple.......


but its gonna be fun......

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

Thanks for that. Im 16 now and into building stuff and engines etc.
Im just getting everything prepared and I will start building when its a bit warmer here in the UK as I don't have a sealed heated area to build.

Im going to strengthen the transom etc and make sure it can take the power.
I am going to try out different things with it when its done like trim etc because they can have big effects i've heard.
When I get started, won't be for a few weeks yet, I will start a new topic and photograph each stage. Ive got a website so I will make a page for it and explain everything that happened hoping future generations will look at it and be inspired

 

[oops!]

Re: hydroplane project,

there is a place called share a project .com its popular for posting.....

make sure you wear all safrty equip.....

ohwellcrafts story has merrit.......

in hydrofoils they uasually keep a small oxygen bottle that the pilot can use to breath from if the craft flipps

have fun

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: hydroplane project,

I agree with oops on the probably need more fiberglass reccomendation. It never goes as far as one thinks it will and it's always better to have a little left over than have to scramble to get more. Have you ever done any glass work, if not I would do a bunch of reading on this site you can learn huge amounts here just by reading old posts. Try and have all of your knowledge and info swimming in your head before you start it helps see the light once you get going on your project. Are you going to use poly or epoxy? make sure which ever one you end up using you get the right mat/cloth/roven some are not interchangeable with each other. Even though you aren't going to start right now I would start buying supplies now when you have a few extra $$ it softens the blow a bit. Do you have shops in your school? when I built mine I was in pretty good with my woodshop instructor and he let me work on it while at school plus I had access to all of the tools/clamps/big workbenches/etc. it helped a ton and I would stay after an hour or so each day to work on it, shortened the build time a lot. I had to do all the glass work at home due to the smell etc. but that part doesn't take nearly as many tools. As I mentioned in previous post the fuel cell can really save your bacon I would reccomend a good plastic 6 gal. and attach it to the hull somehow(straps/rope) and even throw some foam in the bow, even stuff for houses would work. Swing by a const site and see if they have any ridgid blue foam scraps you could have. You are right about the trim of the motor having a big affect on performance also motor height and prop can make big differences as well. Go to a boat salvage yard if theres one around and see if you can find an old jump seat out of some old boat for cheap, you be glad you did it's nice to have some sort of back rest. How are you going to get it to the lake and back? just another thing to think about. keep us up to date on progress....

 

[allymoss]

Re: hydroplane project,

Safety is obviously important and anyone using the craft will be told what will happen etc
Ok, ill take the fibreglass note into consideration when buying supplies.
I have read loads on glassing and have a guy over the road who is finishing his catamaran which is massive and glassed all over the hull so I will speak to him aswell. I will probably using epoxy
I can use the workshops at school and have a friend who is always in there so he can help any precision parts that are really complex although I want to be involved with every part
With my engine, there is a large tank and ill have to get a smaller one.
It will be strapped behind the seat to either side.
I have a marine seat but its quite small and I will try and find a bucket type seat.
To get it to where it will be used, it will be on a car roof rack. Its going to be approx 8ft long and the engine will come off and on easily to make the process easier.
Oh and yes, I will fill the front compartment with foam even though im making that section watertight, just in case!!

Im so eager, ive already organised when im going to the local timber yard to discuss wood! There happens to be a marine engineer there so he is going to speak to me.
As I said before, when I get started, I will start a new topic as Im sure once I get going it won't be long before im done!!