Viper II design

[line6]

I picked up a used H&M Viper II that i am rebuilding now. I am thinking about cutting the skeg off the bottom of the hull. I notice that a some of the other hydro designs don't have one. So I'm wondering if removing it and making the bottom of the hull flat will help or hurt anything. I don't know just a idea.

[Ub Hauled]

can you place a pic please? I have a V II and never had an issue with the bottom, just wanna make sure it's the same bottom

[tth]

I believe he is talking about the "box" that the stuffing tube is aligned in to exit the transom. Am I correct in assuming this?

[line6]

yes thats the part i think it's called a skeg any way here is the pic

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...1&d=1240455072

[tth]

Damn,, that looks funny. Almost looks like it was made too deep. Mine is about half that depth.

[teach]

I am no expert but that really doesn't look like a typical Viper bottom.

[Ub Hauled]

Dude, that is WAY too steep, mine is not even close to that... I wanna say that mine is about 10mm tall at the transom x 140mm long x 12mm wide.

[H&MWill]

Dude, that is WAY too steep, mine is not even close to that... I wanna say that mine is about 10mm tall at the transom x 140mm long x 12mm wide.

Yeah same here on my Viper turbine. This is an old photo but same skeg.

[Ub Hauled]

Yeah same here on my Viper turbine. This is an old photo but same skeg.

Looks like mine! Oh, wait... it's the same hull,

[Boatman]

Line6, I have one of those. It is an older, original version that FDM once sold that ran brushed motor with gear case and a huge prop is needed. Very fast and sturdy but I dont think brushless would power it inless you cut it off, after that well, I will be watching you cause thats where I have always stopped. What do you do after you cut it?

[H&MWill]

Looks like mine! Oh, wait... it's the same hull,

[line6]

It got the CHOP...

[Rumdog]

Nice job man!

[tth]

Good clean work. Do you mind me asking how you went about doing it?

[line6]

Good clean work. Do you mind me asking how you went about doing it?

Thanks man.... I first cut a piece of fiberglass cloth to lay on the inside of the hull to hold every thing together. I made this have about a two inch over lap and epoxied it in. Once dried i went to work on the bottom. I made i rough cut with my cut off wheel to remove the bulk of the skeg. Then i sanded the rest down with a carbide bit and a sand paper roll. Then finished it of with a palm sander. Then i cut a few, 1/2 inch by about 6 inch strips off cloth to fit in where the skeg was. To make it flat with the bottom of the hull. I glassed those in along with 1 large piece to hold it all together. I also put a extra layer of glass throughout the inside for added strength to the hull. Then sanded the bottom smooth. I will say where the skeg was is now the strongest part of the hull. I also plan to lay some carbon fiber on the inside off the hull.