First Build ---- Redtail Kneeler Hydro

[johnmaclean]

Well. . when you hang around a couple of guys who have been building boats a long time. . . you eventually find yourself under the influence. I've only been at this hobby for a couple of seasons. . . Got my feet wet with a Proboat Mini-V then moved on to collecting three sv27's . . . all RTR.
Luv my supervees and wouldn't trade them for anything. . . will evetually have one for each of my five grandkids. But I also love the look of the hydros.

Should have started this thread when I started the build a few weeks ago. . . but better late than never. More pictures at this stage than descriptions. It is a wood over foam build. Kneeler pics 013.jpg20111211_0001.jpg20111211_0002.jpg20111211_0003.jpg20111211_0004.jpg

[johnmaclean]

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Built myself a hotwire foam cutter to cut the sections of foam. It certainly keeps the mess to a minimum. It was a challenge using the 15 minute epoxy . . . trying to measurethe epoxy and hardener in equal amounts. Read trough some build threads here and on other forums and picked up some tips. The other thing I found with the epoxy was it was a challenge keeping the components from shifting before or during the clamping stage. Kendt explained that skating was an issue with epoxy. Anyway here are some more pics.

[johnmaclean]

The thing is taking shape nicely. I know I'll have a fair bit of sanding to do during the finish stage. Trying to keep the excess epoxy to a minimum.

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[johnmaclean]

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Kendt is doing the same build. . . but he has tons of experience and a lot more time at his disposal so his build has progressed much faster. I'm okay with that cuz when he brough it over i was glad to see that the mistakes I had made were of no consequence at all.

[Fluid]

That looks really cool John! Can't wait to see it finished. WOF (wood on foam) construction can make your job easier. Instead of using internal bulkheads in the sponsons, just carve the entire sponson out of a block of foam. Then glue thin ply to the outsides (blue painter's tape works great to hold the ply) and you're done. Very strong and light. The way you did it is more labor intensive but works fine as well.

How about some dimensions and power specs?


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[johnmaclean]

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Taking my time with this build . . Actually, I wasn't sure how long a build like this would take. I was hoping to build at least one other hull this winter. . . a JAE21. Siberianhusky introduced me to riggers when I first met him a couple of seasons ago. . . and after I picked my jaw up off the ground I decided that the rigger would definitely be on my radar of boats to acquire. . .

[johnmaclean]

Thanks, Kendt suggested that the WOF was the way to go especially for a first build. He's just finished a couple f boats icluding his wildthing and hotshot 45. . . . very impressive work . . .

Yep. . . it does seem labour intensive but but being new to this aspect of the hobby I really don't have anything to compare it with.

[johnmaclean]

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That painter's tape is one of the things that I picked up from reading through and checking the build threads on a number of forums. . . Made life a whole lot eaiser.

[johnmaclean]

Hull nearing completion

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[johnmaclean]

And Christmas is fast approaching. . .




Hmmm. . . don't know what happened with this group of pics. . .

[johnmaclean]

[johnmaclean]

Will have to sort this out later

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I'm not sure why the images aren't showing up in the last three posts but I'm out of time for now.

Wishing everyone on this site the very best of the holiday season whatever this season means to you. To those with similar backgrounds as mine, Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new year!

[johnmaclean]

[johnmaclean]

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Looks like some of the images were a little out of order. . .

[Doug Smock]

It is a wood over foam build.

Your slipping Jay. LOL

John, your project looks good! What is the length and beam? What are you going to power it with?

Doug

PS There is all kinds of information here on the JAE 21 FE and you won't regret building one.