Anyone here ever build a hydroplane?

hear is my foo ling

and this is my speed liner model 713

That looks like great fun. Is that a Merc on the back? What size? I know these old designs are not raced any more, but they would make a fun toy that would probably only be used a few times before the novelty wore off. I should keep scanning ebay for a nice one that is done and buy it. I wouldn't feel bad about selling it when I get tired of it that way.

This is my 69 Merc 350. It is pretty light being a two cylinder. I put it in the back of my wife's car by myself, I would guess it weighs about 140# with the electric starter. It may not be ideal, but I think it would run pretty strong with it. I am getting ahead of myself here, I have a lot to do on the Mustang in the next 5 months, but I love to hear everyones input. The KG7 photos are great, especially the one with the racing gearcase.

I would try to find a merc mark 25 to power it light weight and fast with full gear shift. They also use a standard fule pump and tank unlike the mark 20 that used a pressure tank that is tuff to find parts for. Just my experience with them if I can find pics of my hal Kelly foo ling I'll post them.

This one is on my to do list has not been run in years
but I turn it over often.The clamp has a crack in it but
I had found one years ago to replace it. It has been around
for as long as I can remember and I even learned to ski
behind it.Dad had bought it from a friend to replace the
one he had.
The lower picture is from Mt Dora last spring,plenty of
Merc's there!

Quicksilver made racing lower units for all the outboards, at least up to 40 hp, D class. Ours was a C class and ran a Mark 30 with the racing lower unit. Direct drive and a big exhaust port. It was loud. You put a little flywheel on them and advanced the timing and they'd rev up a lot higher than they were meant to. Our stint was short lived as my buddy and I were pretty young and under funded. It was a lot of fun to drive. I think they have more modern 25 hp OMC engines for the 10 footers now.   

75 Tique wrote: Have you looked at Glen_L kits and plans? Not saying they are any better than the one you picked, just checking to see if you looked into available options. The reviews on the Glen-L site seem very positive and there are a lot of nice projects in their diaries. Its on my bucket list to build a small wooden boat some day, so I have poured over the site pretty thoroughly. EDIT: Ooops. Al posted while I was typing. Well, at least I provided the link for you.

This is a bucket list dream too. I may have the time next winter, a little earlier than planned because I think I can finish the Mustang over this winter.
I like the Glen L Super Spartan 10, but they don't offer a kit like Clark Craft does for the Wetback 10. I really don't want to get in too far over my head and the kit seems like a good way for a beginner to start. My daughter wanted to build a Glen L Zip, but after reviewing a blog on one owners build I realized it is WAY over my head. I have watched Alan filling screw holes and staining the Hurricane and at the level he is doing it it is way beyond a beginner. I have been told by others that these hydros are "easy" to build as far as boatbuilding goes, but that may be like an "easy to build" fusion reactor.

Have you looked at Glen_L kits and plans? Not saying they are any better than the one you picked, just checking to see if you looked into available options. The reviews on the Glen-L site seem very positive and there are a lot of nice projects in their diaries. Its on my bucket list to build a small wooden boat some day, so I have poured over the site pretty thoroughly.

EDIT: Ooops. Al posted while I was typing. Well, at least I provided the link for you.

I have always wanted to build a small hydroplane in the 10' size class. Has anyone here built one? Is it hard? does it take a lot of skills to get it right, or will time and patience do it?

I have looked at this Clark Craft kit for several years and I will need a project for next winter. It is the only complete kit I have seen for one.
Any input is welcomed. I know there are a bunch of very skilled woodworkers out there. I don't think I would try to tackle anything that took more than 250 to 300 hours to complete. Am I crazy?

Clark Craft hydroplane kit