Blandon's P-Limited tunnel build

[Blandon]

Blandon, are you planning on painting or leaving the hull natural?

I am going to paint the cowl but leave the rest of the hull natural

[Beaux]

Nice, love the wood look.

[Blandon]

I was able to get some work done on the radio box. The back plate of the box is set up with 3 pieces of 5/16 brass tube epoxied in the bottom for the wires to the motor, two holes for water inlet and outlet and 2 holes for the steering cables.

[Blandon]

The bottom of the hull is done with glass cloth and the entire box was covered inside and out with West Systems epoxy. I also re sealed all corners of the factory radio box with epoxy just to prevent any leaks. I cut down the plastic plate that comes with the VS-1 that the cable run through and modified it a little bit so the outer sleeves of Sullivan Gold-N-Rods tightly presses on and they run directly out the back for the steering cables. The cables fit nicely through the inner sleeves and gives a nice slick surface for the cables with no slop and no chance of cable sawing into anything inside the hull.

[Blandon]

Also epoxied in two hard maple blocks with small hooks threaded in for a heavy duty rubber band to go over the battery to hold it in place so there will be no need for Velcro and changing the battery will be very quick and simple. I will have a rubbery foam pad in the battery tray so there will be no way for the battery to slide around. I just have to make the wood strips that go in the box for the Lexan lid to sit on before it's taped and epoxy those in then it's time for final assembly. The balance point with everything mounted up is 8" in from the transom or roughly 30 percent.

[grsboats]

Nice!

[Beaux]

you've been busy. looks good.

[Beaux]

blandon, the two wood sides you epoxied to form your battery box were they included with your boat or did you have to cut them out? thanks.

[Blandon]

blandon, the two wood sides you epoxied to form your battery box were they included with your boat or did you have to cut them out? thanks.

I had to make all of that. The boat is set up for 3.5 nitro outboards so it takes quite a bit of work to set it up for FE. I used 1/8 inch ply to make pretty much everything there. The only thing that is set up when you get the hull is the front radio box and the rear of the transom where the motor mounts.

[Beaux]

where did you find the plywood ?

[Beaux]

I've only been able to find 1/4 1nch

[Blandon]

where did you find the plywood ?

My LHS carries the plywood but also Micheals craft store has a good selection of plywood and it's probably cheaper at Micheals. They also carry K&S brass tubing. Micheals used to be such a burden when my wife would drag me there and then when I realized they had stuff I could actually use I jump at the chance to go now!!LOL

[Beaux]

never thought about Micheals. I'll have to sneak over there. Hobby Lobby only has 1/4 inch. your panels fit so well I thought they came with the kit. Thanks and good job.

[covedweller]

www.nationalbalsa.com/birch_plywood_s/138.htm Plywood available here! Have used lots of it and is all great quality. Have converted two VS1's and they are great boats. Pulled the top decks off the second one "after first one started to delaminate" and epoxied the inside real well. I also filled it with foam then re skinned it. blubom7.jpgblubom7.jpg

[Blandon]

Thanks for the info covedweller!! That is a great looking VS 1! my only concern with the boat is how well the factory coating on the outside will hold up. I epoxied all the seams with West Systems so hopefully that will help.