First Time Builder

[Drunken Pirate]

This is great,

Here is the build as it goes:
http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat

I have been thinking on asking Steven for a place to document the build of my first RC boat. And then I log in today and here it is. So I am posting this as a preamble to my project.

Plans: 1/16 scale 1956 Ted Jones Classing Round Nose Hydro.

I just got a message back from Gary Finlay giving me permission to use and distribute his boat plans for this project. I Got them from the Andy Kunz building competition thread at Rum Runner racing. Gary designed the plans. They are copyrighted but distributed with permission from Gary Finlay. Feel free to use the plans if you want to try the build yourself. I will provide a link to the plans after tonight. (well it was a bit later than one night)

I will document the build on my own server, but I will be posting here as well. My intention is to help any builder out there and also have a good foundation for input from all of you as well.

Thanks and happy boating.
I would rather build it than buy it (within reason!)

[Drunken Pirate]

Ok. I have the site setup for the build documentation.

Right now you can see the plans I am using and some of the components.
If you use IE this site will probably freak out a bit. It is designed using pure css for formatting and IE does not play well.

Best if using a CSS Compliant browser like Firefox (mozilla).

http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat

[Drunken Pirate]

I have the hull done and ready for decking.
http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat
Here is a little picture of the hull without decking.
http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat/images/build/hullend.jpghttp://www.drewmerrick.org/boat/images/build/hullprofile.jpg

[SJFE]

Lookin good Sir:). I have yet to make an attempt.

[SJFE]

Lookin good Sir:). I have yet to make an attempt.

[Drunken Pirate]

Thanks Tommy! I know you like to modify, but you might try building a simple boat like this. Sure.. it's not a v hull, but we all know Hydros get the chicks!

Drink On!

[mike a.]

looks good, im looking at building this once i get the airplane done, how did you print off the planes in full size. did you take them into kinkos or something like that and what did u have to bring in to print it off?

[Drunken Pirate]

Mike, I have a link on my site for the plans and the instructions. The plans were drawn up in a CAD program by Garry then converted full size to PDF format.

I Got the plans from RRR Build competition then I emailed Office Max (right by where I work) the pdf and asked for three full sized copies.

The copies cost about 2.35 a piece and are 44 X 34. I bought a 36" tube while I was there to hold the plans. A grand total of about 10 bucks.

I am pretty sure you can email the PDF file to Kinkos and have them print you a few copies. Most copy places will take things via email.

Unless you want a nice set of plans to hang on the wall I would use the budget services like Kinko's and Office Max and Laserprints. Blue printing services charge way to much.

Just be sure your copy center can make 44 X 34" copies. And if they don't take email you can surly bring the pdf file in on a thumb drive or something like that.

[mike a.]

thanks man

[Drunken Pirate]

I have finished writing up the decking part of the project. You can find it here:
http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat

http://www.drewmerrick.org/boat/images/build/profilefilling.jpg

[Jeepers]

Dude that looks nice, those Finlay boats run good, 1 of are club members built the 1/16 NOTRE DAME and used the novak brushless system with a 432 prop and that thing flat hauls, the same guy upscaled the plans and and built a 30" NOTRE DAME boat it looks sharp!

[Drunken Pirate]

Hey thanks Jeepers!!

Garry is also working on a 1/12 Scale LSH Class for the 700 motors. Him and Bill Blackwell are collaborating. This 1/12 scale boat is much more than a scaling of the 1/16th scale plans. The new plans are built right off of the full scale hydros themselves (courtesy of Bill Blackwell's boats).

I get pumped thinking about building it.

[mike a.]

I was reading in the directions and it says that some people use a thin layer of fiberglass. Are you going to fiberglass it?

[Drunken Pirate]

I think next time I might. I am painting it right now and I am having troubles with the sealer/primer I used.

[Jeepers]

I also built one of the 1/16 scale hydros. dont ask what happend to it though:( I plane on upsizing the plans for the atlas van lines pickle fork for my next build, I have been meaning to do this for awhile now but to lazy to head over to kinkos:D as my race boats take up most my time, but winter is not far off!:D

[Drunken Pirate]

Well it's been a while, almost a year, since I last posted. It's been a rough year, new births, lots of new deaths and a lot less free time.

The boat I was building got smashed up by the boys before I could put the running gear in. One day my wife was turning my study into the new baby's room and left the boat where the boys could get it. :confused2:

Starting from scratch again. Last time I talked to Gary Finlay he was on a new design with better plans. The sponson hull sides were designed using 3d displacement and the cutout pattern will wrap around the front spoon with better precision. Progress will be slow with all the other projects i have going on.

I am not sure anyone really checked this post out or remembers me anyways.:tongue_smilie:

[mike a.]

i remember you cause i got the website for the free plans from you. i didnt even know about it but i almost have mine done it basically just needs pant. Im running brushless which is just amazing to me how much power it has