1/10 Scratch Built Thunderboat (Finlay Plans)

[monojeff]

I started to assemble my 1/10 scale thunder boat a few days ago.
This is my first thunderboat build & my second scratch build I have done.
It will be in the theme of 68 U-1 Miss Budweiser when completed.

Plans were scaled to be 96% so it was within legal scale size.

The transom is 1/8" ply & all other frames are 1/8" light ply.
Everything was rough cut on a band saw then sanded smooth.

Tunnel floor is 1/32 birch ply which was cut with a box knife & straight edge.

While laying the frames out I thought I had something messed up because of the gap where bulkhead C is.
After closer look at the plans I realized there is suppose to be a brace there which goes under the bulkhead & over the tunnel break as a support.
Everything is tacked in place with medium CA glue other then the tunnel brace which I epoxied the bottom of.
The rear stringers are just sitting there holding bulkhead D level while the glue sets they will be permanently attached once the decking begins.

[Jesse J]

those Finlay plans rule!! that's how I got my teeth wet, building one of his hydros from his plans and then getting advice directly from him (he is pretty present over on the red board).

[monojeff]

those Finlay plans rule!! that's how I got my teeth wet, building one of his hydros from his plans and then getting advice directly from him (he is pretty present over on the red board).

I plan to enter this is the build contest over there.
Guys like Gary are what helps make this hobby grow & be a pleasure to be a part of!

[monojeff]

Deck striped are laid out & tacked down.
For some reason when I measured the width of the stripes on my scaled down planes I thought I had got the correct width to fit but turns out was a little to narrow so luckily I had some 1/8" square stripes that fit perfectly in the void. So I used a combination of 1/8"x5/16" stripes & the 1/8"x1/8" stripes.

I also tacked down the sponson brace which I used is 1/8"x 5/16" basswood sticks cut to size.

[Hydromaniac]

Gary's plans build a great running boat. Another 1/10 scaler , sweet. Looks good . Can't wait to see her finished!!

[monojeff]

Gary's plans build a great running boat. Another 1/10 scaler , sweet. Looks good . Can't wait to see her finished!!

So I have heard.
Appreciate it, hope I can do the plans justice & make this boat look & run as good as I hope it will!

[monojeff]

I had to remove the build from the jig so I could sand down the stringers a little to help the non trips line up correctly.
Soon as I sanded them down I put it back on the jig to tack on the non trips which were also cut from 1/32 birch ply.

Soon as the CA was dry on the non trips I started to epoxy all the the joints.
All of the 90 degrees I added 1/4" balsa triangle to stiffen things up.

The non trips are going to need to be sanded down before decking so everything will be even with the bulkheads.

[monojeff]

Started on the sponson bottoms today.

Tapered the edges so everything would be nice & flush once glued together.
I used tape to keep the edges nice & tight then flipped it over & laid down the epoxy.

[monojeff]

Took the tape off the bottom skins of the sponsons & everything looks pretty good.
I probably should have cut the tunnel edge over sized so I could sand it smooth.
Nothing a little mixture of cab-o-sil & micro balloons can't fix.

Worked on the sponson sides this morning.
Beveled the bottom edge & overlapped the bottom edge so I can sand it smooth once epoxy sets.

[monojeff]

Here are some more pics with all the tape off.

Next step is to sand & smooth everything I have done up to this point.

[JimClark]

Looking great Jeff

[monojeff]

Looking great Jeff

Thanks Jim appreciate all your help!
I do have another question for you.
On the back of the sponsons where the side meets the deck I have noticed there is suppose to be an overhang.

I am not sure how far it should overhang?
Also should it be flush on the bottom?

[JimClark]

I will measure mine and get back to you shortly

[JimClark]

I have two boats sitting in my garage one is scratchbuilt off Newton plans and one is a Carbonfiber hull . the carbon fiber hull is 5/16 inch at the deck and flush at the sponson and the scratch built is 3/8th at the deck and flush with the sponson.

[monojeff]

I have two boats sitting in my garage one is scratchbuilt off Newton plans and one is a Carbonfiber hull . the carbon fiber hull is 5/16 inch at the deck and flush at the sponson and the scratch built is 3/8th at the deck and flush with the sponson.

Thanks Jim!