Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Winger Ed. · Jun 22, 2004

Well, I've been working on this (2nd)Aluminum hydroplane since last Sept. Starting with the plans for the 12' Aeromarine Special over at the 'Boat Plans' site. I wideneded it 6" in the tunnel, stretched it to 16', switched it from wood to Aluminum, built it, and hung a 2.4 Merc on the back. Its rated at 150hp now, but this winter-- that will change. .. In my postings here, I've mentioned it once or twice in passing, but tried not to dwell on it for various reasons as I tried to chip in on something I thought I knew something about that one of yawl was working on. After 10 months, 15 pounds of Aluminum welding wire, 11 or 12 55-120cuft. tanks of Argon, WAY!! too many burned up Tungsten TIG electrodes, 12 gallons of that 2 part foam we talk about so here often (its been completely foamed solid-along with a few bottles), somewhere between 6-7,000 rivets, a BUNCH of saw blades, and after trashing a couple pairs of really good welding gloves--- We floated it yesterday to see where the Center of Gravity will fall*. It looks OK. So now I'll move onto the paint job, fabricating the driver's station seat/steering column/dash, and rigging it. * That determined whether we took it home, or to the scrap yard. If the CG didn't come out right, it'd be too unstable to opperate safely over about 60mph. * Here's a few pictures of it going together. I hope to begin Sea Trials in about 4-6 weeks. Then start on engine modifications to gain about another 50-75 hp. The goal is 100 mph with safe handeling capabilities. Anyway: I just wanted to share this with yawl to remind you that as Americans, we can do anything we set our minds to. You guys rebuilding a boat floor for the first time, or re-doing a transom, etc. I'd advise ya to hang in there and never give up. Whatever your project- look at it, scratch your head, think it through, change out of your suit into jeans & a T shirt ya found in the trash, and do it. S/F, Ed. webshot photos

buckeye_sean · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Wow - I bet that things a missile!

dk990496 · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Nice Work Look's Good

jtexas · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

WAIT! before you start painting, I think the shiny unpainted aluminum gives it an awesome predatory look. But what about hole shot?

CTD · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

I started replacing my floor last august, Wow its hard to imagine building something like that from scratch, keep up the good work.

Bass Runner · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Not to be nosie but how much does that weigh?

Winger Ed. · Jun 23, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Bass Runner: Not to be nosie but how much does that weigh?

The Merc. weighs right at 400lb. The driver around 250. 3 guys can pick up the hull and carry it around, best I can estimate is that the hull weighs a bit under 500lb. without fuel. Its got about 100-125 pounds of foam in it. That makes it a totally solid & rigid hull. The foam adds weight, but the additional safety of it is a fair tradeoff since it won't be raced competitively. Before we foamed it, myself & 1 other person could lift it off the sawhorses, move it around, flip it over, etc. That'd put it around 300 pounds before the foam & battery went in. The airfoils on the sides will generate about 300 pounds of lift at about 60mph. Ideally, they should have been made a few inches wider to get the lift up to about 400-450 pounds. That would lift the last few inches of boat's stern up out of the water at speed, further cutting water drag, and give it a little higher top end for the given horsepower of the engine. But, it'd make it easier to blow over too, so I gave up a little speed there too in exchange for safety.

Winger Ed. · Jun 25, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by jtexas: WAIT! before you start painting, I think the shiny unpainted aluminum gives it an awesome predatory look.

Others have suggested that too.. But, I just can't do it. I'm a PPG Automotive refinish distributor...... I sell car paint to body shops. I also paint a car/boat or two every year or so for myself, my Dad, my Mom, etc., and the occassional frame off restoration that takes about $1,000 of materials and can end up being a 'show stopper' when done. So, on this project, polished Aluminum just won't do. Too many folks are expecting a rather exotic paint job on it. What I"ve planned so far is a basic white with gold pearl. Then a flame job done in a red/orange pearl, brt. med. blue pearl, accented by a yellow color made from orange & gold pearl, with a heavy gold pearl around the outside edges of the pattern, and a few hand painted pin stripes to accent the pattern. The flame pattern will be in two stages, finishing towards the back of the boat with a effect the looks like somthing on fire and breaking apart as it re-enters the Earth's Atmosphere. For the 'predatory' look, I was considering a 'Flying Tiger' mouth & teeth underneath the hull and a sign near it that said, " BEWARE Jet Ski Intake". Ed.

Bass Runner · Jun 26, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Boy i wouldnt think it would weigh that much my old 1959 16' Texas Maid with 80" beam only weighs 530 lbs that with wood floor and all, and it flys with a 70 on it ill bet yours can do a hundred if you can keep it in the water, (was the extra weight from the ejection seat?)

Winger Ed. · Jun 26, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Bass Runner: Boy i wouldnt think it would weigh that much my old 1959 16' Texas Maid with 80" beam only weighs 530 lbs

If it wasn't foamed totally solid, it'd weigh a lot less. That stuff weighs around 10lb a gallon, maybe a bit more, and I poured close to 14 gallons of it in there. 100mph is sort of the goal for it. It should run in the 80's no problem. This winter we'll start with the engine modifications to bump it up to around 200 hp. That may be almost enough to get it through the 90's and hit 100 while keeping the rpm down around 7,000. The other trick is for it to be stable and safe to drive. That's why so much went into the design of the tunnel and airfoil. At speed, it will still be able to steer and the extra weight up forward will help it resist blowing over backwards.

Bass Runner · Jun 26, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

No ejection seat?

Winger Ed. · Jun 26, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Bass Runner: No ejection seat?

Although I am qualified to work on them, I was a Parachute Rigger in the Marine Corps--- Air Wing type. I worked on escape and survival items, from the ejection seat components up to and including parachutes for both helos, jet fighters, and the survival items worn by their crews. No, this boat won't have a ejection seat. If I'd been thinking far enough ahead, I probably could have gotten my hands on one and brought it home before I got out. However: With safety, escape, and survival in mind- I used to teach that stuff to our Aircrews, and the concepts of it are still imbedded in my programing- ya can't get trapped in this boat. The dash does double duty; it holds the more important instruments such as water pressure, a tachometer, and water temp at the top. In the corners is the fuel guage & volt meter. The outboard edge of the dash at the cockpit wall is also the left footrest. The hot foot gas pedal is the one for the right side. (nothing is over the driver's legs) The steering column rises out of the floor like a go-kart. If I get around to it, under the steering wheel will someday be a speedometer. Both cables for the steering & the shift cable will come down through the frame of the steering column to the deck, and pass back under the driver's seat. (Nothing will prevent, or slow down the driver from getting in, out, or even being thrown from the boat.) The shifter will be a racing type that is about the size of your fist. It mounts on the deck between the front edge of the seat and the base of the steering column. (There won't be the big handle sticking out to catch/break your arm with on the way out.) This way, if it ever blows over from the front, or flips in a 'barrel roll' the driver will not be trapped by getting their legs caught under the dash, possibly landing and being trapped upside down under the hull with tangeled and broken legs. Instead, you'll be ejected as the boat comes up & over if it ever happens. The way its designed, even though there is no ejection seat--- that you'd never have time to actuate anyway,,,,, the boat itself will throw you out and away from it in that fraction of a second when it leaves 'the straight & narrow'. And, that's why there is $250 life jackets with cervical collars and crotch straps. They really are better than the ones ya get a Wal-Mart if the unthinkable ever happens. Ed. SSGT/USMC 73-80

flashback · Jun 27, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Ed That is one sweet deal, just hang on!!! When I was a lad, I built a 9 footer out of wood and with a 20 hp merc it would do well over 60 mph. enough to scare the bjesus out of me......good luck......

Boomyal · Jun 27, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

WingerEd, a little off topic here but I saw that you were into painting. My 16 y/o son and I are working on his first car and we are not too far from painting it. This is all an appreciation and skill venture before the young one will be given the keys. I have enough experience with a siphon spray gun, even though I've never sprayed a complete car, to tackle the job. I am considering either a one coat solid color or possibly a basecoat/clearcoat (original) job. I am shocked at the cost of paint for such a tiny little car. We are not trying for show quality as this is an old '87 Pontiac Sunbird that we just want to look presentable. My question to you is, should I stick to the siphon gun or round up what is necessary to use the HVLP. I apparently do not have enough compressor to use it (8.5 cfm @ 40 psi) but I would scramble to find it if the HVLP would be the better way to go. I will be painting without the use of a proper spray booth, either outside or in the garage. BTW, your hydroplane is an incredible project. A bit scary, though, to test it to it's extreme. Whew!

Winger Ed. · Jun 27, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Boomyal: My question to you is, should I stick to the siphon gun or round up what is necessary to use the HVLP. I apparently do not have enough compressor to use it (8.5 cfm @ 40 psi)

Get the HVLP spray gun. They use a fraction of the air a siphon gun calls for. Plus, they are twice as efficient (less overspray) and only take 1/2 as much paint as a old siphon gun. Your compressor should handle a HVLP gun easily. Ask the dealer for some miss-match/screw up paint to practice with on the trash can so you can get the feel for spraying it. If they don't just give it to ya--- it'll be real cheap $5 a quart of so. After using a couple gun fulls- you should get back in the groove of spraying. For your project: Find a PPG dealer**, get 2 quarts of OMNI basecoat in your color & one gallon of MR-186 reducer, 2 quarts of MC-161 clear & 1 quart of MH-168 hardener for it. I'd disscourage a single stage paint job. In recent years, the bar has been raised on what a new paint job should look like. Even these 'We-tote-the-note' car lots can't sell a car that isn't clearcoated. We sell about a half a million dollars a year of the OMNI system to these car lots, and they just love it. Your bill shouldn't be over about $130 or so max. Its a good system, and will last about 4-5 years. Longer if you can keep it out of the Summer sunshine a little. Its the sun that kills a paint job. If you want the paint job to last forever,, go with DBU or DBC and one of the CONCEPT series clears. However, the materials alone will probably hit close to $500 or more. ** There's plenty of other systems & products out there that will do ya a good job. I'm just more familiar with PPG, so that's what I'll speak on. Ed.

Boomyal · Jun 27, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Thanks WingerEd. I am however confused on several counts. First, two local paint stores quoted me about $250.00 for sealer, basecoat, reducer and clearcoat. I do not no what brands but at least one of the stores is well respected. $130 to $150 would be much easier to swallow but that is what they were quoting for a single stage catalyzed solid color. This is not the late model Coupe DeVille Secondly,I know that HVLP is supposed to put more product on the surface and less in the air. Apparently, it also gives you less orange peel than siphon spraying but the local paint store plus the people at this site, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22779&item=4309919760 told me that I needed 11 to 14 cfm to use the non-touchup HVLP gun. I was ready to buy this gun. I asked, if HVLP sprays more paint with less air, where does all that CFM go. I did not get an answer. Anything you can impart would be appreciated. One thing you did not mention was a sealer. Here is a picture of the car that I am going to paint. Most of the paint is dead and I understand you want to use a non-sanding sealer before the basecoat. I will look up a PPG dealer as well. I hate to go back to the same place to see if they carry it. You could email me at lockan@yahoo.com. I hate to continue interupting the post on your beautiful creation.

Winger Ed. · Jun 27, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Boomyal: I hate to continue interupting the post[/IMG]

No problem. These threads usually take off in different directions. We sell OMNI sealer for about $10 a quart. I don't how the prices and such would be up there in Canada. Extra taxes, curerency exchange rates and such. I just know what we sell the stuff for in Texas. ... A HVLP gun has either a pressurized cup/pot under it, or more commonly they have the cup on top of the gun's frame. Basically, you don't need a big airflow making a vaccum in front of of the paint outlet. The paint is already presented to the tip on the front of the gun. You only need enough air flow/pressure to break up the stream into a mist, and move it over to the work. The siphon gun has to use the vaccum in front of the spray gun to actually suck the paint up from the cup, then atomize it. And, it takes a fair amount of airflow for that to take place. Most guns would need about 15cfm to get the suction going at around 35-50 psi. A HVLP can work with 20 or less psi. I'm not sure what the cfm would be, but its way less than 15. I'd guess around 5-8 or so at about 15-25 psi. Oh, on your car- If you sand the old paint with 400 wet or dry, you can paint right over it. You won't need to prime or seal anywhere you don't go through to bare metal. New Paint will stick to old paint real well. It needs a little help sticking to bare metal. Ed.

Boomyal · Jun 28, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Thanks again WingerEd. I'm off to find a PPG dealer. I'm in Vancouver USA, so I won't have the price issue.

Winger Ed. · Jun 29, 2004

Re: Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

Originally posted by Boomyal: Thanks again WingerEd. I'm off to find a PPG dealer. I'm in Vancouver USA, so I won't have the price issue.

Hope it works out for ya. With the HVLP guns, you also have to crank down the 'fluid flow' adjustment a little lower than you're used to with the old siphon feed guns. Something to practice on is common 5 gallon pails. If you can paint a 5 gallon pail without any runs--- you can paint a car quite easily. (its all about curves & overlaps) If ya can't find a PPG dealer close, the DuPont guys have a very similar 2nd line also. I think they run it under the "Nason" label. Ed.

Whew, my backyard project is almost done...

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