New build crackerbox

[sschefer]

Re: New build crackerbox

I went through this thread and didn't see this mentioned so I thought I would. The original crakerbox design is a racing class design and wasn't intened to be for pleasure. It has been adapted by Glenn Witt and I think a little of Hankinson's touch for Glenn-L. You can email Gayle Brantuck (Witt) at Glen-L and get all the correct info. The boat is a kick in the pants to drive. At 15 feet with a 6 foot beam and 500lb hull weight it's not something you want to go fishing in but it will turn heads at the dock and at 70+ mph on the water.

This build is a fun one for sure and should be very rewarding. Great job and keep up the great work it will reward you soon. If you're not already on the Glen-L forum you may want to give it a shot. You can also email Gayle anytime you have a question, she's no arm chair boat builder, she really knows her stuff.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Thanks sschefer, The Glen-L forum has been a great help to me and I was just on to Gayle looking to get a prop shaft made and shipped to Ireland she knows her stuff alright.
I think my boat is the first one build in the standerd size "15 foot" with a 1-1 gearbox so I have a few more problems getting my angles and center of gravity right, it's a bit tight but I have the prop shaft down to 13 degrees now so I think it will be ok with that to give me a kick in the pants "time will tell"

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

First coat of primer I will sand this down with 600 paper and do two more coats and sand again.

First coat of paint "roll and tipped" I will do another 3 or 4 coats with a light sanding in between then on the last coat I will sand it with 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, wet and then rubbing compound. There is a white waterline around where I think it should be but it may need adjusting when I get her in the water.

Drilled out the hole for the prop shaft today, I had been putting it off a bit as there is no room for a mistake here.The angle was worked out from the engine setup and then marked on a bit of scrap wood where I drilled out a hole to take the extension bar holding the 2" bit, I also put a block of wood on the keel inside and out the same angle as the bit to give the tip a starting point and so it would not start walking when it came through.

All in all it went well except for the sawdust and smoke under the boat from drilling a 10" x 2" hole in mahogany while lying on your back, in the end it came out spot on target I now have to epoxy in a fiberglass tube to seal it up and then cut it down to size.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: New build crackerbox

Fantastic, it amazes me to watch someone build a boat from scratch....it is looking great and can not wait to see how she rides when you splash it

 

[zopperman]

Re: New build crackerbox

wow

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: New build crackerbox

Sterling job on this build! I will look forward to seeing it splashed.

Just a concern though... and I hate to be the turd in the punch bowl, but the distributor you currently have on the engine is bad news if this is going to be tucked in an enclosed bilge. Alternator may also be an issue, unless it's screened for marine use. The EGR valve looks funky, but is neither here nor there (not an issue)...

I realize the USCG means diddly in your neck of the woods, but an explosion is an explosion no matter where you live. You seem like an interesting guy that we all want to keep around.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I am open to any suggestions on this as it's my first time working with a V8 and it's all new to me. I do plan on putting in a blower to run before the engine is started also I'm a big chap and my legs will be along side the engine so it won't be closed in The engine is standard in the ski boat that it came out of so I assumed it would be fine, there is also a flame arrestor for the carb. Any tips are welcome cheers.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: New build crackerbox

Sean and Mods,

Not meaning to hijack and turn this into a engine repair thread, but currently Iboats PM service is down (I think IT is currently doing some remodeling to the forums). I tried to send this message, which was unsuccessful so here goes...


The ski boat you pulled the engine from probably lost it's original engine, and the previous owner had this engine installed from a donor automobile. The coil-in-cap HEI distributor, 2 barrel intake with EGR valve, and thermatic switch toward the front near the thermostat housing are all mid 70's to early 80's GM automotive pieces (at least in this country).

The blower will help, buy ideally the blower shouldn't have to be left on all the time to make things safe.

There are several suitable alternatives to the distributor you have in there now, some of which are featured here on Iboats. Just don't know the availability of them in your area, or what it would cost to ship them there. Something like this; http://www.michiganmotorz.com/delco-voyager-marine-electronic-distributor-p-140.html
would work great, and is meant to be in a marine environment.

The other concerns are the alternator. Yours is a Delcotron alternator (GM) used in millions of cars, and in boats as well. For marine use they usually had screens placed over the open areas and vents. The starter should be certified for marine use, and your carburetor may or may not be marine friendly, as certain versions of it were used for both cars/trucks and boats. Again, I hate to be a buzz kill, just don't want to see your beauty turned into splinters.

If you have any questions Sean, you can either PM me (if you can), or it may be best to start another thread specifically about the engine here; http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=446

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

New thread started http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=527574 Thanks for your help.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New build crackerbox

Beautiful hull & paint work! If this is the part the fish see, can't wait until you get the topsides done! Nice thread, I'll page thru photobucket pix later.

Good luck & keep up the great work.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Cheers,the hull is a long way off finished yet I still have about 4 more coats of red to go on after I fit the rudder and strut then about 8 coats of varnish on the sides I want it to look and feel like glass when it's done to keep the fish happy

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New build crackerbox

Wooden barrel back ChrisCrafts are what got me into boating. Just don't have a shop, the money or technical woodworking skill set to attempt the Glen-L build. I've seen some incredible boats done from their plans. Particularly some of the smaller runabouts w/ 25-40hp outboards. I seem to remember 1 guy doing the hull finish & varnish work in an upstairs spare bedroom..

Looks good, keep up the great work & you'll be the proud owner of a beauty! The photobucket pix really docment the build good.

Thanks for keeping a record & sharing the work during the build.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I had to build a new strut to get the right angle for my build.

I just have to sink it a bit more and fiberglass the base and the prop tube that holds the stuffing box.

I always knew the rudder would be a tight fit but I think I might just get away with it using a plate to stop air been sucked in and affecting the steering. I think I will recess the plate into the hull leaving it flush and just hope it works.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: New build crackerbox

Sean and Mods,

Not meaning to hijack and turn this into a engine repair thread, but currently Iboats PM service is down (I think IT is currently doing some remodeling to the forums). I tried to send this message, which was unsuccessful so here goes...


The ski boat you pulled the engine from probably lost it's original engine, and the previous owner had this engine installed from a donor automobile. The coil-in-cap HEI distributor, 2 barrel intake with EGR valve, and thermatic switch toward the front near the thermostat housing are all mid 70's to early 80's GM automotive pieces (at least in this country).

Not to start a debate, I agree his dizzy looks automotive, but there are marine coil in cap HEI distributors available.

http://www.aaamarine.com/servlet/the-363/chevpromarine%2Cmarine%2Celectronic-ignition%2Cdistributor%2Chigh-performance%2Cfuel-economy%2Cchev%2Cchevy%2Csbc%2Cmercruiser%2Cvolvo%2Cpleasurecraft%2Comc%2Chei%2Cdiscount%2Csale%2Cpointless%2Cbreakerless%2Cmsd%2Cmallory%2Cpertronix/Detail

Beautiful build!!!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: New build crackerbox

That is such an awesome boat.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Your right last mohican I will be changing the distributor,starter, alt and maybe the carb. The block is a new mercruiser and not a standerd truck engine so should be up for the job

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I sold the shell of the donor boat so did a bit of work rebuilding the trailer with all new bolts, brakes,bearings,cables and two hitch. I'm getting very tight for space now but should be ready to flip the boat soon.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I moved the boat forward by putting a few bits of pipe under the building frame and just rolled it out, next I added two 8 foot lengths of 4x2 to the boat to use as handles and to keep it off the ground.

It was a bit tight on one side

Sorry no photo of the turn as my hands were full, but with the help of 3 mates and a few beers we got her on her side then lifted it up from the bottom and over she went.

For the first time she is looking like a boat

 

[coostv]

Re: New build crackerbox

Looks great Sean. Like it a lot!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New build crackerbox

Sweet looking finish work on the bottom & sides! Very well done!