Cozy F1 Tunnel - wood build

[Dirk Jan]

Hi fellow rc boat enthusiasts, this is my first post here, so I introduce myself shortly: my name is Dirk Jan, I'm from the Netherlands and I am building rc boats for many years now. I especially like to build wooden boats.

I read along for a while now and I think this forum is great. You can find a lot of knowledge and nice boats here.

Time for me to share my latest project with you. I designed my own F1 Tunnel hull, called Cozy F1 Tunnel. It's 23.6 inches long and it will get the following setup:

- Hobbyking/TFL outboard
- 3S 3Ah lipo Turnigy
- 60A Marine esc
- total weight: 3,3 lbs

The cowl I will make myself from glass fabric and epoxy, using a mold.

I designed the hull in Pro/Engineer CAD software:





I make all frames myself by using a hand saw, no laser kit here

[Dirk Jan]

Next couple of photos:









And starting with the tunnel itself:

[Dirk Jan]

Build post #3:

Test fit the sponsons to the tunnel. It starts to look like it! :)







Reinforcing the tunnel with some ribs and adding some high density foam for flotation:







So far for now. More updates will follow soon!

[Dirk Jan]

Build post #4:

Finishing the tunnel and laminating the hull with 50 grams glass fabric.

[Dirk Jan]

Build post #5

Some more photos from the hull with the sponsons attached and starting to work on the cowl mold.





Servo / receiver plate:



Modifying the back of the tunnel a bit for more room for the steering links:





And the hull so far. The servo plate is not glued yet. It will move more backwwards finally.

[grsboats]

Very nice building...looking forward to see some action videos.Thanks Gill

[Dirk Jan]

Thanks Gill! Here's the next build post:

Making the cowl mold:



Power plugs from esc to the motor:



The hull with electronics installed:

[ron1950]

wow ...always impressed with scratch built boats etc...great job

[Dirk Jan]

The mold is finished:



Applying 4 layers of 110 grams/m^2 glass fabric over the mold to make the cowl:



The cowl came out good:



Applied some base coat:



And finished except for the paint!



It runs very well. The hull runs nicely above the water and turns very sharp. Top speed is 31.5mph. I'm still experimenting a bit with the setup to improve the performance. But so far I'm happy!

Here's a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpXAi-noyt8

If anybody is interested in the plans (PDF) send me a message. I share the plans for free.

[NativePaul]

Beautiful!

[studioRS]

Beautifully built! Thank you for documenting your F1 build. I am very interested in building one myself, PM sent. Thank you!
Cheers, Thompson

[Dirk Jan]

Thanks! :) You got the plans in your mail box.

[studioRS]

Thank you, Danke

[seehuusen]

great work mate! very cool boat to run too by the looks of your video :)

[Dirk Jan]

Thanks Seehusen :) It is a very nice hull to run. I like the outboard setup and the hull almost entirely out of the water at full speed.