Mini hydroplane?

bassboy1

bassboy1

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Jun 23, 2006
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1,884
Re: Mini hydroplane?

It all depends. How adept are you w/ woodworking and fiberglass? Do you have the tools and budget. It is gonna take some complicated cuts that are not easy without precise tools. Now, if you have a shop set up with real nice tools arrayed in a functional fashion, like I do, I would say go for it. But, if you don't I would say stick to an aluminum boat restoration as you said you might do in your livewell thread.
 
Bass-A-Holic

Bass-A-Holic

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Oct 7, 2006
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Re: Mini hydroplane?

well i definatly have the the tools (table saws, band saws, jig saws, circular saws, nail guns, drills, air tools, paint guns,my new airbrushd:), ect) and we have it all in my barn which is pretty big. As far as woodworking skills i think that i will be able to handle it myself, and during the tough spots im sure my dad will have my back. Im really more concended with the safety issue of these things.
As far as the aluminium project goes, it is just hard to wait for the right project boat to buy, and with these things you can buy the plans and get to work.
 
flashback

flashback

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Jun 28, 2002
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3,987
Re: Mini hydroplane?

I did'nt look at your pics BAH, I have dial-up and it takes forever, but in 1962 I built a 8'6" hydro called a "scat cat". it took all summer but I was about 15 years old, and had no fancy tools, you know, just a skill saw,drill and various hand tools.. the boat came out great and actually I still have it in the basement.. the motor blew up along time ago, it had a motor called a hurricane that ran on a hopped up blend of gas and naptha if memory serves. anyway it did about 60mph on a good day, smooth water and no wind.. a little chop and hold on.. it could really get crazy in a turn...
 
Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

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Jan 13, 2006
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Re: Mini hydroplane?

When i was 12yrs old i built a little hydro toy, if you can imagine taking two 4x8 sheet's of plywoood soaking them with hot water then bend or folding them to take a certain shape..........drying them, used a 1" thick piece of oak for the transom, ripped a couple of 1x1 for the outside frame, screwed...glued and glassed (not tape) quick racing yellow paint job and a 10hp rude.... The most exciting boating of my life...espescially when i flipped or nosed into a big wave........:love: Can you imagine a 12yr old trying to save his father's fishing motor and the only thing keeping it from going to the bottom was the old orange 6 gallon tank......... it was great.....
 
L

Laddies

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Re: Mini hydroplane?

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but both boats are very old style, it would be better to look around for a set of modern plans to get preformance. Also might check with APBA. or HydroRacer.net sites for plans to build a real racing hydro, you might get bit by the bug and go racing in stockoutboard class, it's bit a lot of people over the years we race D stock runabout and two of my sons have been national champions over the years. There are alot of worse thing to spend ones time on, it's great family entertainment--Bob
 
Bass-A-Holic

Bass-A-Holic

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Messages
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Re: Mini hydroplane?

The thing that i really like about the idea is that i already have been thinking about replacing my 85 rude 15 hp with a newer 25 hp. the great thing aboat that is that i can put the rude on the hydroplane and, from pictures ive seen of the stock hydroplane races, those mid 80's jonney-rudes seem to be popular race motors.
 
Bass-A-Holic

Bass-A-Holic

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Re: Mini hydroplane?

I looked at hydroracer.net but had trouble finding plans, i would be appreicate (poor spelling sry) maybe you had a link you could post for me
thanks
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

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Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Mini hydroplane?

When I was 12 y's/o, I saw some plans for a hydroplane in Popular Mechanics. I so wanted to build one of those but.......

Good luck BAH. Just build something. It'll be a memorable event.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Mini hydroplane?

i personnally like the tunnel mite, and fill the wings with some foam (just in case). back in the 70's i had a boat similar to the one below, with a 1950 15 rude, had to start it, jump in and go or it would sink. i was only 120lbs, then.

http://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=340

one thing about Glen L designs, they've all been built, ran, and tested before he put the plans out.
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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May 19, 2001
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26,065
Re: Mini hydroplane?

I rebuilt one years ago for a friend that was powered with a Merc Mark 30H equipped with a deadman throttle and that dam thing would fly. We were able to get 65+ and it sounded like an angry bumblebee.

The boat was close to a picklefork (actually a 3 point) and was plywwod, epoxy and canvas.

There was an iboat guy that built a hydro from aluminum a few years back I believe his name was Winger Ed.

Keep an eye on ebay too. On occasion people are getting rid of some.

Happy Holidays!!
 
L

Laddies

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Re: Mini hydroplane?

Bass-H-Holic, try yahoo type in www.hydroracer.net that should get you there. You are right the 15 HP OMC engines are the A stock engines, on a hydro they were 60+ MPH. Where is Allendale Mi we are 30 miles south of the bridge but may know someone in your area that could help with plans--Bob
 
T

Terry Olson

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Aug 20, 2005
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Re: Mini hydroplane?

There's no reason anyone of even modest woodworking skills can't build that or many of the other designs sold by Glen-L (which is the site you linked). Explore their site fully and you'll find photos of completed boats of all types, a customer registry of those who have completed each design, and a very help bunch of builders on a message forum there. Glen-L has been selling boat plans for the home builder for more than 50 years and their reputation for quality plans and customer support is first-rate. Sure, the design isn't cutting edge in the hydro racing world, but the average guy isn't looking to get into competetive hydro racing - especially on his first build.

Most home builders start with a small project like a hydro to gain experience before moving on to bigger projects.
 
flashback

flashback

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Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,987
Re: Mini hydroplane?

BAH, I went and looked at your pics today. (dial-up works good on holidays) you would have a great time building any of these little hot rods. you certainly have enough tools to do the job and the 15hp will run them fast enough to pop your eyes d:) You asked about safety, IMHO safety is relative, these boats can and will flip, so the deadman throttle is a must.. helmet and life vest also... smooth water is the only time you could operate it. and there are probably alot of other things to concider as well...but it sure is fun..good luck.. and have a good holiday...d:)
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

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Messages
12,072
Re: Mini hydroplane?

I like that Glen-L tunnel mite. I think it would be fun to get the plans and scale it up a few percentage points so an adult could fit in it. Then you could bump up to a 25 hp motor.
 
Bass-A-Holic

Bass-A-Holic

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Re: Mini hydroplane?

Laddies-
Allendale is about halfway between holland and Grand Rapids.

the reason that i was thinking of the 2 boats that i linked was that they both were ideal for a 15 hp motor, which i have, so then i wouldn't have the diffuculty of having to buy another motor for it.
 
L

Laddies

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Re: Mini hydroplane?

The a stock racing engines are the 15 HP OMC engine, your engine would work fine on a A stock hydro and if you desided to go racing you would have to buy the racing lower unit, but to just ride around and enjoy it would be fine the way it is. The only reason that I suggested building the real deal is it will have more value and preformance than a the kit boats with about the same amount of work. The main thing is to build what you feel you want. No mans life is complete till he builds a boat of some kind and those that don't will never know the pride--Bob
 
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