Gary Finlay "Sort Of" 1/16 Atlas...

[Pitts]

Here's my not so exciting (compared to master builders on this site) build which started life as the Gary Finlay 1/16 Atlas.
I love Gary's boats and have built many of his classic round nose hydro's over the years.

This build started after I did a display at the kids school Fete (Fair), which was such a hit, that I have been asked to assist in a class subject next year where the kids will build (to keep) an RC boat. The course will be over 19 weeks, which will not only include the build/set-up, but will also include learning about batteries, motors, and also the evolution of the full scale hydroplane race boat. We have chosen the Gary Finlay 1/16 classic round nose hydro because of it's easy build, and good performance (Thanks for the awesome design Gary). It will be a controlled class of model which will be powered by a 450 heli size outrunner, on 3000mah 2S Lipo. The school has a large dam of around 100m x 40m in size, which is perfect for this size boat. The class/course will end with a "race/fun day" on the dam, which I'm sure will be organised chaos!!!
I ran one of these boats, with the above configuration in the display, and it was a great success.
This course is designed to get kids off the video games, and have some hands on learning and outdoor fun.

I digress; so, I decided that I'd build a boat for a faster class too (and I just wanted to build something else!!), so I chose the 1/16 atlas, but turned it into a more modern look.
The only structural mod was to shorten the deck a little to allow for the more modern bodywork. I have two types of bodywork, so it could resemble a GP style boat, or an unlimited.
Here's the progress...

[Pitts]

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[Pitts]

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[Pitts]

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As you can see, the scheme is loosely based on the "Albert Lee", but I had trouble with the paint (clear went yellow!!), so I'll strip it down and repaint with better paint at a later date.
I was going to give it it's first run today, but the wind is gale force so I'll wait for it to calm down a bit!!!!

[785boats]

Very nice.
I'm just finishing one of those off myself. But without the fins & wings.

[olwarbirds]

Very nice, cool project with the kids too...well done.. DJ

[Pitts]

Well, the little hydro has seen water for the first time, and a very successful outing it had.
I first used a 3000mah 2S pack with a 430 prop because I expected to need to do some adjustments to the strut, and I didnt know how it would behave, but I didn't need to touch anything. It ran so smooth that I decided to drop in a 2200mah 3S pack with the same prop etc. Wow, the boat came alive. It was always my intention to use 3cell packs in it, but I didn't expect it to ride the water this well and I was almost full throttle in the turns (I think it was just my brain telling me to button off slightly!!). It is so stable.
The strut settings, CG, prop angle etc are exactly as listed on the plan. I haven't touched a thing. I think I'll try a 32mm prop because everything was stone cold.
I used a 2837 3500kv outrunner that was a freebie from Hobbyking, which I didn't really have to much faith in (cos it was free), but its a strong little motor.
The boat is a great fun build, and a great design.
I think I'll build a bigger one next, maybe 30+ inch???
Sorry, no vid as I was by myself, but I'll take the kids next time and they can be in charge of the camera!!!

[Pitts]

Very nice.
I'm just finishing one of those off myself. But without the fins & wings.

Thanks mate. Certainly not in the same quality build class as your boats, but enjoyable just the same.
Your Lauterbach is fantastic; one of my favorite design's of hydro's. My brother was a mechanic for a GP tunnel team in New Zealand in the 80's, so I spent allot of time around "Gone Heavy", "The Boss", "CRC LatimerLodge" (my favorite), "Sudden Impact" (later became Midnight Miss) etc. Aahhh the memories!!!!

[Pitts]

Very nice, cool project with the kids too...well done.. DJ

Many Thanks DJ.
I have built many aircraft up to 3rd scale, but strangely enough, this was a more enjoyable build. Just goes to show how good this hobby is.
Hopefully the kids will get as much fun out of it as I do. Funny thing has happened. 3 other teachers at the school want to build the boats too, so it looks like we will have weekend racing as well as the "in school" course!!!

[Shooter]

Very cool! Is this the hull that the 'vacu-pickle' was based off??

[Peter A]

Thanks mate. Certainly not in the same quality build class as your boats, but enjoyable just the same.
Your Lauterbach is fantastic; one of my favorite design's of hydro's. My brother was a mechanic for a GP tunnel team in New Zealand in the 80's, so I spent allot of time around "Gone Heavy", "The Boss", "CRC LatimerLodge" (my favorite), "Sudden Impact" (later became Midnight Miss) etc. Aahhh the memories!!!!

Yeah them were the days! In my mid teens I also got to spend some time around the hydros in the mid 80's, I had a mate whose Dad ran a B hydro and I got to travel around to different lakes and events and fondly remember watching the GP hydros at Karapiro. The noise, the speed, the smell, urgh, urgh,urgh... Like the little hydro too, I built a 1/16 shovel last year, it's my baby (boat, 'cause it's the smallest).

[785boats]

Thanks mate. Certainly not in the same quality build class as your boats, but enjoyable just the same.
Your Lauterbach is fantastic; one of my favorite design's of hydro's. My brother was a mechanic for a GP tunnel team in New Zealand in the 80's, so I spent allot of time around "Gone Heavy", "The Boss", "CRC LatimerLodge" (my favorite), "Sudden Impact" (later became Midnight Miss) etc. Aahhh the memories!!!!

At the start of the Lauterbach build, I was considering the Midnight Miss (my favorite) & the Latimer Lodge as the schemes. But went for an 1/8 scale Unlimited because that's what class she will be racing in.
I think Graham & Kerry are over in the states now, racing the Midnight Miss around the country. It's either for sale or has been sold.
If you are going to build a 30" plus size hydro, there are a couple of 1/10 scale ML Boatworks kits that have the drop sponsons. You might be able to turn one of them into the Latimer Lodge (your favorite). Not sure if they are a Lauterbach design though.

This one might work. If not, as you can see from the list, it is the base for 20 or so famous boats.

http://mlboatworksrc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38_40&products_id=45

Cheers.
Paul.

[Pitts]

Very cool! Is this the hull that the 'vacu-pickle' was based off??

I believe it is based on Gary's plans, but the larger scale plans (maybe 1/14th or 1/12th??).

[Pitts]

Yeah them were the days! In my mid teens I also got to spend some time around the hydros in the mid 80's, I had a mate whose Dad ran a B hydro and I got to travel around to different lakes and events and fondly remember watching the GP hydros at Karapiro. The noise, the speed, the smell, urgh, urgh,urgh... Like the little hydro too, I built a 1/16 shovel last year, it's my baby (boat, 'cause it's the smallest).

The noise, the rooster-tail, and the open cockpit made it for me!!! One of the biggest visual memories I have was watching Peter Knight snr set the world GP speed record at Lake Ruataniwha in 1986 (177.538mph (286.396kmh)). Because of the embankment, and the layout of the lake, I remember hearing the noise, then seeing only the rooster-tail above the embankment, then finally seeing the boat absolutely flying above the water surface!!!! Pure Magic I reckon!!!

[Pitts]

At the start of the Lauterbach build, I was considering the Midnight Miss (my favorite) & the Latimer Lodge as the schemes. But went for an 1/8 scale Unlimited because that's what class she will be racing in.
I think Graham & Kerry are over in the states now, racing the Midnight Miss around the country. It's either for sale or has been sold.
If you are going to build a 30" plus size hydro, there are a couple of 1/10 scale ML Boatworks kits that have the drop sponsons. You might be able to turn one of them into the Latimer Lodge (your favorite). Not sure if they are a Lauterbach design though.

This one might work. If not, as you can see from the list, it is the base for 20 or so famous boats.

http://mlboatworksrc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38_40&products_id=45

Cheers.
Paul.

Up until November 2012, I was in constant communication with Mike as he had put me on the kit list for a 1/10th scale version of the Lauterbach. I have never heard from him since, so I guess it was never completed. Bit of a shame really cos I was looking forward to it.
So, I decided that I would modify a Gary Finlay plan and build my own Lautherbach, which I sort of completed. I've started on it again, and I'm currently shaping the cowlings and driver. I'll get this one finished before I start something new...