Anyone here ever build a hydroplane?
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URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28398
Printed Date: January-13-2025 at 1:27pm
Topic: Anyone here ever build a hydroplane?
Posted By: john b
Subject: Anyone here ever build a hydroplane?
Date Posted: November-20-2012 at 9:55pm
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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? http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local/shop_new.pl?cart_id=e03aa61e630a144d666472be298a9238&type=item&categ=012&item=933713480" rel="nofollow - Clark Craft hydroplane kit ------------- 1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox" If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
Replies:
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: November-20-2012 at 11:11pm
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My brother built the 8' Glen L 3-point hydro in 9th grade wood shop. He was able to complete in 3 semesters, one hour a day. 3 years later when I was in 9th grade wood shop, the teacher said: "No more boats !!!" So, I bought a Mini Max. ______________ 1974 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: November-20-2012 at 11:14pm
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Have you looked at https://www.boatdesigns.com/Outboards/departments/10/" rel="nofollow - 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. ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-20-2012 at 11:22pm
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Those Clark Crafts are designed by a very well known racer. I met him years ago when I had a C Hydro. We bought the engine from his buddy. The guy's name is Clark Maloof. He was an APBA racer for years. Google him and you'll come up with a lot of info. His boats have a great rep. Larry, I was in a guys house today that must have had more than 100 toy boats. His house was chuck full. It could have been more than 200. All kinds and ages. |
Posted By: john b
Date Posted: November-20-2012 at 11:45pm
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. ------------- 1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox" If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
75 Tique wrote:Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 12:22am
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I agree, 10ft would be the way to go. I don't think you could pay me to even get in a 8 foot boat. With a set of plans and all the right shop tools it should be a piece of cake. Do you already have an engine ? I had a '53 Merc Super 10. And, I was told (long time ago) at the marina, there was suppose to be a quicksilver lower (1:1 ratio) for it, but never did find it. |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 12:36am
| 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. |
Posted By: john b
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 12:44am
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I have mechanically restored two KG7 s ( super 10 ) for a friend of mine, one with the Cyclone chamber exhaust and no lower cowl, and one original. I may be able to make a swap with him. I also have a 69 Merc 350 and an 81 Erude 15. I like the idea of the Merc 350. It would have reverse, neutral, and electric start. Kinda an old farts boat to cruise the chain and maybe get sporty for a little run or two. The Merc is considered a short shaft at 20" from clamp to cavitation plate, but it is a little taller than some of the racing engines with the direct drive racing gear cases. I would most likely have to build up the transom a couple of inches for this engine. The KG7 would be nice, but maybe not what I would want. ------------- 1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox" If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 12:46am
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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!   ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: juniorwoody
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 1:29am
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I have a set of plans to build the PH 18 from Bateau Boats and a couple CC woodie repairs going on. Still I have looked at the GlennL plans and longed to start a hydro project. Might as well shoot myself in the foot. I like the little one with the forks for the lagoon down here in Fl. ------------- The value of money spent on new adventure far exceeds the value of money saved for the future |
Posted By: Big t
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 1:32am
| 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. |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 2:02am
Great photos. We made some great hydroplanes as kids; as I recall, they involved torqued plywood, cinderblocks on the bow and a 9 1/2 Johnson. Still have the Johnson; to put it in proper timeframe, it still has remnants of flower-power stickers on it 40+ years later..  ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: john b
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 2:22am
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. ------------- 1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox" If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 3:00am
This was our Marchetti C Hydro.
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Posted By: john b
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 3:11am
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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. ------------- 1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox" If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 11:12am
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Merc Mark 30. I believe it was a 1956. I bought it off a guy named Chuck McCabe who was one of Clark Maloof's buddies. Maloof had a boat business in Quincy Mass. That boat was a lot of fun, but we blew the engine before then end of the first summer and decided we couldn't afford it and sold everything for about half what we paid for it a year earlier. I still remember what my mother said to me when she saw it, "why couldn't you have bought a normal engine". I know you're looking for a project to build, but the best way to get into one is to buy the whole package from a racer. All the componants really add up. One of clarks plans for the 11 footer sounds interesting as it will take a stock engine and fit two people. 
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Posted By: Big t
Date Posted: November-21-2012 at 7:09pm
hear is my foo ling   and this is my speed liner model 713 
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