ML Boatworks, KL350 35" Kneel down outboard Hydroplane build/ instructions

[cybercrxt]

Oh, I forgot, I went back in the garage, and built the radio box...no pics of that yet. Once I did that, I layed it in the hull, layed the sponson top decks in the engine well, and weighed the hull. With everything you see here (aluminum in the turn fin area included), engine well epoxyed as well, I am at 3lb 10oz...Not to bad for a 35" hull! Mike

More to come as I get back in the garage!

[Jedi Master]

Can't wait to see this finished! Awesome!

[norbique]

Amazing work as always!

[cybercrxt]

Well, its getting real close now! I am waiting on an engine starter, glo plugs, 50% fuel, glo plug starter, fuel tubing, fuel tank, radio box tape, radio box boots, and a few other odds and ends. I had no nitro starting gear, so had to order all of it new to test this boat! Things left to do, are finish up securing the throttle tube, secure the radio box, add the turn fin, add an on/ off switch...and, not sure if there is much else! Here are some current pics. Mike

[cybercrxt]

Fuel tank arrived! Too sweet!

[cybercrxt]

Woke up early today, and decided to go out in the garage and work on the turn fin before I headed out to work. Got it mounted! The radio box is mounted now as well. That mounting turned out well too. I added some 1/8" 6 ply plates to the bottom of the radio box, then put pine blocks down to the floor with threaded inserts so the box is elevated above the floor so if fuel gets under there, it will not stay wet and stain, and its removable, so when I am ready to convert this to FE, I can do so easily! Looks like everything will arrive other than the starter today. I am gonna ride up to Wilson, NC and get a cheap sulivan starter so I can run this boat this weekend, I cannot hardly wait!

I think the only things left to do now, are sharpen the skeg, and figure out how to mount the fuel tank, skuff the ride surfaces..everything else I think is ready! Mike

Oh, and the turn fin is a JAE 21 fin that Gary Pruse had made me a while back and never got used. I cut it down to an overall height of 2.5", so around 1.75" is below the ride pad. Turn fin is gonna be critical with this boat, so I suspect it might totally change by the time this is over. I wanted to start out big, so it would help hold the boat in line better in case its needed.

[cybercrxt]

Alright, I got some videos. I had to richen the engine up as I was starting to loose glow plugs, so it is very boggy in these videos. I am pretty certain about everyone out there can tune a nitro engine better than me, so its no biggie. I ran a couple more times after these videos leaning it a little each time and it was getting faster and faster. None the less, the big deal, is the boat turns without hooking! This is a SMALL pond, the right side of the pond is probably barely the width of a bouyed pond, so I had to do what I can. The left side, well, you can see I am cutting it close, and at the end of the first video, actually running the boat up on the grass...this wasnt the first time, and probably will not be the last. Anyways, the boat works, and works well. I am still messing with props, and actually working on trimming up the motor, which I did 2 runs after this video, and it started really airing it out better, so there is LOTS of tuning possiblities left! Enjoy the videos. Mike

[cybercrxt]

Not to let this slip to far...I just received a propeller care package from Buddy Lowe with like 8 different props to try on the kneeler, so I hope to get back out there this week and do more testing. So far I am really pleased with the hull. I ran an x437 last week and the motor was finally getting on pipe, and the 3 blade prop really locked the boat in while turning...really nice! I will have more info soon, and hopefully some good videos! Mike


NOTE: As you can see I posted pics and video today of the progress over the last few weeks. I will share more videos as I test!