Building a 10' Tunnel Mite boat!

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  • kevinpratt823
    Fast Electric Addict!
    • Aug 2012
    • 1361

    #1

    Building a 10' Tunnel Mite boat!

    So my Dad used to tell my brother and I(when we were very young) about how he used to build plywood hydros from a Popular Mechanics set of plans when he was young, running small outboards at silly speeds. We were so intrigued we made him promise to build us one, and even got it in writing,...this was around 1984...it never happened............
    As a "retirement" gift about 10 yrs ago, I did some research and bought a set of plans and a framing/hardware kit from Glen-L for a "Tunnel Mite". I parenthesised "retirement", because aside from his regular job in the phone company(management), he has always been a commercial fisherman. Among other forms of fishing, he and my brother run a couple of the top Tuna boats in the area, both rod/reel and harpoon, and continues to work harder in retirement than before.

    Well with the motivation for activities for a 6yr old grandson(my brother's son), and a slow winter, I am pleased to say our project is underway!
    I will try to update with pics as the build progresses, with eventual video of the boat running in the spring!
    My private off road rc track
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8
  • Heaving Earth
    Banned
    • Jun 2012
    • 1877

    #2
    awesome kevin! thats not your garage is it?

    Comment

    • kevinpratt823
      Fast Electric Addict!
      • Aug 2012
      • 1361

      #3
      Originally posted by Heaving Earth
      awesome kevin! thats not your garage is it?
      My Dad's garage. I'll let you know when it's ready for water if you want to come check it out this spring.
      My private off road rc track
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

      Comment

      • Heaving Earth
        Banned
        • Jun 2012
        • 1877

        #4
        Absolutely dude


        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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        • Doug Smock
          Moderator
          • Apr 2007
          • 5272

          #5
          Cool project and it looks like you're doing a great job on it.
          What are you going to do for a power plant?
          MODEL BOAT RACER
          IMPBA President
          District 13 Director 2011- present
          IMPBA National Records Director 2009-2019
          IMPBA 19887L CD
          NAMBA 1169

          Comment

          • kevinpratt823
            Fast Electric Addict!
            • Aug 2012
            • 1361

            #6
            Originally posted by Doug Smock
            Cool project and it looks like you're doing a great job on it.
            What are you going to do for a power plant?
            Thanks Doug. Not sure on motor yet, gotta do some more homework. These were designed in the '70's, and the motors were limited mainly by weight, much better power to weight ratio these days, but I don't quite know what she can handle. I need to look into what others are running on them now, haven't gotten that far yet........ Honestly my father has taken the reigns most of the build/work, I have been more of a "consultant" with figuring out the limited instructions and helping with the critical parts that require 2 people.
            My private off road rc track
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

            Comment

            • kevinpratt823
              Fast Electric Addict!
              • Aug 2012
              • 1361

              #7
              Assembled with mas epoxy and brass screws, still moving forward....

              Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
              My private off road rc track
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

              Comment

              • kevinpratt823
                Fast Electric Addict!
                • Aug 2012
                • 1361

                #8
                Slowly but surely, she's coming along....

                Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
                Attached Files
                My private off road rc track
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

                Comment

                • tlandauer
                  Fast Electric Addict!
                  • Apr 2011
                  • 5666

                  #9

                  Don't know how I missed this thread in the first place, this is absolutely cool!
                  Too many boats, not enough time...

                  Comment

                  • kevinpratt823
                    Fast Electric Addict!
                    • Aug 2012
                    • 1361

                    #10
                    Originally posted by tlandauer

                    Don't know how I missed this thread in the first place, this is absolutely cool!
                    Thanks, unfortunately it'll be on hold for the summer as my father will be pretty consumed as tuna season (commercial) takes off. Here are a couple from today though. Next up will be smoothing some cuts, then dismantling much of the to to get in and seal her up from the inside, before closing back up with epoxy and screws.

                    Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
                    Attached Files
                    My private off road rc track
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

                    Comment

                    • kfxguy
                      Fast Electric Addict!
                      • Oct 2013
                      • 8746

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Doug Smock
                      Cool project and it looks like you're doing a great job on it.
                      What are you going to do for a power plant?
                      Twin it!
                      32" carbon rivercat single 4s 102mph, 27” mini Rivercat 92mph, kbb34 91mph, jessej micro cat(too fast) was

                      Comment

                      • kfxguy
                        Fast Electric Addict!
                        • Oct 2013
                        • 8746

                        #12
                        I can't believe I missed this too. Very cool project!! Looking great!
                        32" carbon rivercat single 4s 102mph, 27” mini Rivercat 92mph, kbb34 91mph, jessej micro cat(too fast) was

                        Comment

                        • tlandauer
                          Fast Electric Addict!
                          • Apr 2011
                          • 5666

                          #13
                          Originally posted by kevinpratt823
                          Thanks, unfortunately it'll be on hold for the summer as my father will be pretty consumed as tuna season (commercial) takes off. Here are a couple from today though. Next up will be smoothing some cuts, then dismantling much of the to to get in and seal her up from the inside, before closing back up with epoxy and screws.

                          Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
                          Words alone can't begin to describe my envy and admiration.
                          Have a great tuna season, wow, everything coming out of this thread is
                          Too many boats, not enough time...

                          Comment

                          • kevinpratt823
                            Fast Electric Addict!
                            • Aug 2012
                            • 1361

                            #14
                            Originally posted by tlandauer
                            Words alone can't begin to describe my envy and admiration.
                            Have a great tuna season, wow, everything coming out of this thread is
                            I'm flattered, thank you. Power will be a 15-20hp outboard when the time comes.
                            I fished full time for several years, but decided to stick with electrical work as the fun wears off quick other than the actual catching them part. I have, however made a few trips over the past years to give some extra help when needed and just to get back out and satisfy the craving When it's in your blood it doesn't go away. I am fortunate enough that both my brother and father are 2 of the top tuna boats out of New England, both rod/reel and harpoon. Here's a couple pics from a trip out to George's bank a couple seasons ago when there wasn't much going on close to home.

                            Tuna 011.jpgTuna 012.jpgTuna 004.jpgTuna 020.jpg
                            My private off road rc track
                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3H...yaNZNA&index=8

                            Comment

                            • tlandauer
                              Fast Electric Addict!
                              • Apr 2011
                              • 5666

                              #15
                              That's impressive! Thanks for the pictures! Man, nice catch! That just proves that you have to know what you are doing in every line of work!
                              Too many boats, not enough time...

                              Comment

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