Skunkworks 29 cat

[Skunk Works]

Hello out there...

Great job on the build Heath! Decals look awesome, nice choice.

Question: How do you like the hardware? I am a big fan of the setup. Looking for some feedback to help me decide if I should reorder / stock for the long term.

To everyone:

As we all know, 2008 was a year best to be forgotten and it really hit home for me and the family. Struggle with full time work / cutbacks. The shop is my passion, but not enough revenue to be the primary money maker. Really appreciate everyone's support out there, means a lot. Great people, great conversation, great hobbies, that is what its all about.

Time to move ahead with 2009. The train is back on the tracks and moving forward. Getting the shop cleaned up (what a disaster) and bringing in some inventory for land and sea models - parts. And yes, finally a website is in the works. Want to get back to building also so I can send Steve some parts orders again.

On the 29 hull. I have been doing some work with it. I agree completely with the water problem and I want to have the hatch redone. Would like to find a new glass shop to build the hull. Any help / leads with that would be appreciated.

See you on the boards!

Scotty

[ED66677]

I agree completely with the water problem and I want to have the hatch redone

That would be nice if we could avoid tape! I'm affraid there are no easy/cheap solution!

[calcagno45]

Scott, Its great to have you around and back on board again! I'm enjoying my Cat and Vee hulls I got from you! They run great! I hope all is good in 2009 and you can get some of these huls out!!

I have the water problem as well. I'm trying solutions as we speak.

Cory

[Skunk Works]

Great to be back! Thanks.

I have talked with one shop about making the hull with some design changes. Our discussions went sour real quick. I can understand that production volume is key to keeping prices down...but at the quotes he was talking, the hull should have been finished in gold.

Will keep at it.

Scotty

[Heath M]

Hello out there...

Great job on the build Heath! Decals look awesome, nice choice.

Question: How do you like the hardware? I am a big fan of the setup. Looking for some feedback to help me decide if I should reorder / stock for the long term.

Scotty

Hey Scott good to see you here again and thanks for the compliments.
I have to say that this has been one of the easiest hull to setup I've done, Ran great first time off the bench..
The hardware works great, easy to fit, struts nice and smooth and the rudder turns the boat like it's on rails :) the only issue i have had is that there is a bit of free movement in the the rudder.. I removed some of it by drilling out the rudder clamp hole to 1/8th and pushing a piece of brass tube in there.. Maybe on your next order you could look at putting in a bearing or 2.. Just a thought..
As far as the hatch goes i wouldn't change the design, I think it looks great with the curves in it. Yes it does make it a pain in the a$$ to seal but it is an easy fix with a bead of silicone run around the inside lip of the hatch opening. I also put rubber grommet stop ends in where the back hacth pins go in to seal up the holes.. All this and hatch tape and not a drop of water gets into the hull..

Heath

[calcagno45]

Not mine but insane! Check it out. The magic doesn't happen until 2:45...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CPuH5NVAGs

[Heath M]

Would like to see it after that flip LOL

Heath

[Skunk Works]

Steve had sent me the link to the KB powered video a few months back. What a riot! Just a bit over the top...... Put wings on it and it would fly......

[jwt]

pictures

Hey Scott good to see you here again and thanks for the compliments.
I have to say that this has been one of the easiest hull to setup I've done, Ran great first time off the bench..
The hardware works great, easy to fit, struts nice and smooth and the rudder turns the boat like it's on rails :) the only issue i have had is that there is a bit of free movement in the the rudder.. I removed some of it by drilling out the rudder clamp hole to 1/8th and pushing a piece of brass tube in there.. Maybe on your next order you could look at putting in a bearing or 2.. Just a thought..
As far as the hatch goes i wouldn't change the design, I think it looks great with the curves in it. Yes it does make it a pain in the a$$ to seal but it is an easy fix with a bead of silicone run around the inside lip of the hatch opening. I also put rubber grommet stop ends in where the back hacth pins go in to seal up the holes.. All this and hatch tape and not a drop of water gets into the hull..

Heath

Heath

looked good on the water, a couple of pics from last sunday

jt

[Heath M]

Thanks for the pics JT.
Raced the cat for the first time last Sunday and it went great, handled the race water very nicely.. We ran 3 heats with 5 boats in each race and i won the first one easily, 2nd i was leading by half a lap and i flipped on the last lap with the help of a cross wind.. 3rd i started last and really pushed hard to catch the other boats i got to 3rd but again flipped it on the last lap. Just need more drive time with it and i should be laughing
I have to say everyone at the club was very impressed with this boat and how it handled

Heath

[Jimmy Sterling]

I have to say everyone at the club was very impressed with this boat and how it handled

We sure were Nothing else stood a chance.

[Heath M]

just gotta learn how to drive it now hey Jim lol

[Jimmy Sterling]

[Heath M]

another pic of my cat.

[Skunk Works]

Nice pic Heath. Tearing it up!