I wanna build a mini race boat...

[Suprathepeg]

I've got the but to try and build a small hydroplane or v-bottom out of plywood this winter. I want something that's fast like 55mph fast. It would just be for ripping around the lake or the river, not racing. Anyone ever done this?

 

[GA_Boater]

Moved this to Boat Topics since you're just planning.

No, I haven't. But some of our members do make Go Fasts out of existing boats and powerful motors. Have you looked at any plans?

 

[zool]

This little glen l plan is plywood, and with a 40 on it, it should get up and go....

https://www.glen-l.com/designs/outboard/classcd.html

 

[superbenk]

An old friend of my family used to build those YEARS ago. I've seen pictures and heard him tell the stories, but it was well before my time. I've had a similar bug myself & may someday do it. There's a lake near me that has a 20hp limit for gas engines that would be fun to play on with something like that

 

[Frank Acampora]

I lucked into a little 10 foot tunnel hull so I didn't need to build one. I did need to raise the transom 5 inches because it was designed for a short shaft engine. I puit a 55 on her and as a matter of fact, it is attached to the tow vehicle. later this morning I plan to take her to the river and zip around for about an hour.

It is great fun and although I am only going only 45 it feels like 100 because I am sitting so low to the water. If you want to see her in action google youtube and search Frank Acampora videos. Something like mini boat with a Chrysler.

Even if you don't race, I say go for it. You will never be sorry. UH! Forgot: ALWAYS WEAR your PFD with these hulls Most are so small that they will turn around in a heartbeat and bite you in the A** I have had mine upside-down on three different occasions.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Since Frank mentioned a tunnel I couldn't resist. I believe this one was 12' with a 40hp. It would do 60+. I was part of APBA in the SC class. I know you want to build a hull, but I bet you could pick up a tunnel minus the motor relatively cheap..... As mentioned, it "felt" like you were doing 100+. They say the feeling on water is like you doubled the speed on land.....

 

[Chinewalker]

The Glen L plan would work well. Finding a motor that would get it to the speed you want might take some doing, but isn't impossible. Options would include any of the vintage Mercury 4-cylinder racing motors (Mark 30H, Mark 55H), as well as newer versions there-of (Mercury 44XS, Tohatsu 50D). The newer Yamato 102/202/302 series might work, too and do turn up on eBay from time to time. Not sure they would get a boat that big up to 55, but would certainly get it well over 40. A similar hull in the 11-12 foot range would be better suited to the Yamato. Better, still, the Yamatos are darn near bulletproof.

As Frank noted - safety is paramount. Kill switch and life jacket are MANDATORY. Running these style boats isn't a matter of if you flip, but when. You'll get some good experience in drying out a wet motor.

 

[Suprathepeg]

I'd like to keep it under 9'. Running a somewhat common motor. I'd like to have a project my dad and I can mess with.

 

[Frank Acampora]

They still make plans for an 8 foot hydroplane --minimax or something. You use a 9.9 engine. You can probably find a bunch on youtube. Just remember that on these mini boats you need to lean way over the steering wheel to get them on plane.

I went to the river and did my Hydro-therapy. That, incidentally is the name of my little boat..Ran for an hour at full speed and burned my six gallons of gas then came home a lot calmer Way cheaper than a shrink! LOL

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I have a 10' hydroplane hanging from the ceiling in the garage. It's a project I'll get to one day.

 

[Grandad]

They still make plans for an 8 foot hydroplane --minimax or something. You use a 9.9 engine. You can probably find a bunch on youtube. Just remember that on these mini boats you need to lean way over the steering wheel to get them on plane

When I was 14, a good friend owned a minimax. With my dad's help I built a Minimost, very similar, also an 8'. I had a Merc Hurricane 9.9 on it. I think I was able to get about 30 MPH, but had no speedo to confirm and nobody had yet dreamed of GPS. Ya, had to lean way forward to start and again when stopping to avoid having my own wake swamping the boat when it caught up. The whole boat was only about a foot high, though the transom was raised above just to get the 15" short shaft mounting height. Like riding on a dinner plate. - Grandad

 

[zool]

There are many plans in the 8-10' range, just a matter of finding one that will support the HP you want,

https://www.boatdesigns.com/Outboards/departments/10/

 

[Suprathepeg]

man I gotta say I'm lost. I've been looking at a ton of different designs online. I guess I need to requalify what I'm looking for.

-I'm 6'-2" and weigh 230lbs so its gotta fit me.
-I want it to be fast, doesn't have to be full race fast but enough to get your hands white if you want it to.
-We have a shop in my parents basement but its not super big. We have all the tools needed to build a boat for sure. the limitation is space and getting it up the stairs to the door. I think 9' is around the max length.
-Its gotta be somewhat simple to build. I don't have a ton of free time so we would have to be able to get it done in 80hrs.
-We are both decent carpenters who can build pretty much anything.
-Finally older motors are hard to find so something that can take a newer motor would be good too.

Anyone got a specific design to suggest.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You are kidding yourself to think you can get it done in 80 hours. You may be able rehab an existing hull that needs minor work in that short of time

 

[Alumarine]

Dude, check this out.

w w w .kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/winnipeg/project-boat-rare-tarantula-brand-name-13-fibreglass/1079774545?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[Suprathepeg]

Yea I saw that one it it too pricy for a bare hull IMHO. If it was 200-300 bucks id probably look at it. It needs a lot of work.

 

[MTboatguy]

Dude, check this out.

w w w .kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/winnipeg/project-boat-rare-tarantula-brand-name-13-fibreglass/1079774545?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

He is asking WAY to much for that in my opinion.

 

[GA_Boater]

He is asking WAY to much for that in my opinion.

I thought the same - Even for Canada.

 

[Frank Acampora]

First off, I think that at 230 pounds you are dreaming if you want something under 9 foot. You simply need more boat to float you. Second, while I didn't see the hull mentioned, these boats are very desirable. I did have my tunnel hull on craigslist for 1200 complete with engine and trailer. Most people did not want the engine and offered 1000 so I decided to keep the rig myself.

 

[GA_Boater]

That's your tunnel, Frank. And it can go in the water today. Here is the rare Tarantula;