ML Boatworks GSX480 Gas Sport Hydroplane, S & T FE version coming too.
Hey Guys, Here is a copy of my initial post on Jims RCBD the other day. I am not a big poster over there, so this was a self introduction, as well as the introduction of the up and coming GSX480 Gas Sport hydro, and it will also be done in the near future as an S and T power class FE hull. The hull is 48" in length, with 7" wide engine well openings. Should be a HUGE amount of room for us FE guys, and plenty for the gas guys to utilize! There will be some changes for the FE kit, but right now, I am focusing on the gas version, getting it tested, getting a cowling mold made, and move forward from there. As usual, this will be come a build thread too! Enjoy, Mike
Here is the Jim's post:
Well, I would like to introduce myself to everyone first. My name is Mike Luszcz, owner of ML Boatworks, www.ml-boatworks.com (soon to be www.mlboatworksrc.com on Nov.1). I have been a member of Jim’s for quite a few years now, but besides some nitch group designs, GS480 gas o/b tunnel and my gas scale hydroplanes, both of which have won multiple national events and continue to win, I have mainly been on OSE and IW. The gas o/b tunnel has won the world tunnel champs, 1st-2nd and 4th in 2012, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 2013. Most anywhere you race that offers the all new gas scale hydroplanes you will now see one of my kits being used for the class. Marty Schalenburger has done an incredible job promoting the class, and I have tried to offer many options for the class to help it get up and going! It also has now had rules built for both NAMBA and IMPBA due to fast growth Pretty exciting.
I have mostly stayed with the smaller scale and sport hydros and o/b tunnel boats (sizes from 26.5”- 45”). I am typically known as a full FE guy, mainly due to local pond conditions being undersized and the need to run quietly and I love the power options with FE these days.
I have never ventured into the gas sport hydroplane, or thunderboat categories before. I have always felt they were probably two of the largest, most competitive classes to race no matter where you are in the country. I purposely steered clear of these classes as I wanted to build my knowledge base over the last 5 years and offer a good product when the time was right. While I am still a ways out with a thunderboat, I am now in a phase of initial build, test, and redesign if needed on a new gas sport hydroplane, called the GSX480. This is a 48" long platform, so it fits not only the gas class, but the S and T FE power options in the IMPBA. I worked on the design off and on for around a year. I ran into a lot of challenges with this boat, mainly, how to keep a 75mph boat this large in one piece during a hard blowoff. I know the other guys out there have worked through the same issues, and I probably will too. My goal over the next couple of months is to get this hull built, get a plug and mold made for a cowling, and get it up to Dick Loeb and his motor guy Donnie in the Norfolk area, and at the SAW’s in Elizabeth City, NC in November I am going to hand the boat to John Finch to review and see how he feels about the design and structure. Both of these guys along with some other seasoned racers have given me input over the last year of things they feel are needed in a boat of this class. Let’s hope I got it right!
With all that being said, here are pics of the initial dry fit. I just got the first kit in from my laser guy yesterday, popped out the parts, and did the dry fit. The total time to do so was around 45 minutes. As you can see, there is a lot of other components that will need to be installed before you can say “ Oh OK, so that is what it looks like”, so please bear with me as I get to that point. The hull itself has a lot of features that have proven themselves on my smaller “GP” series sport hydros, and this boat also has some new features that should make for an even more stable hull. Things like the balsa core trust forward to after frame system. This is to add some additional strength to basically the center section core and allows me to push the opening to around 7". A 5" engine rail is also locked into place as an integrated feature. The open area allows the builder to access behind the engine rail even after the hull is completed. However, the top deck in the engine well area is only 6" so normal manufactured headers have enough offset to clear the cowling just as any other typical gas sport on the market. Behind the engine compartment, you can see a rather large area for all your radio equipment, with full recessed lids. These three lids will allow direct access to key compartments in the hull so tons of radio box tape is not constantly needed. The engine/ fuel tank area up front are the only non- water tight areas on the hull since air has to get in those areas. There are other design points, and I can list all of them out, but I suspect most will see them and understand. Any questions or comments are appreciated. I will do my best to get this one built, and get it tested in a timely manor. The design time took so long to finish, I am ready to see what happens. Oh, the cowling you see laying on the hull is not for this boat, it’s a Brownie cowling. I am however going to utilize the design aspect from it for my plug and mold. I think it’s a great looking piece. More soon. Mike
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Originally Posted by kacordy
because Im gonna want an FE version of this one too.... DJ
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