Hey Woodie.. are your ports going to exit straight out the side, or will they be angled backwards a little? It seems like that is right at the point where you're going to get a LOT of splash, especially in the rougher waters. maybe some sort of splash guard? Isn't that one of things you love about scratchbuilding, it's like, hey guys.... let's see what this does Are you wanting to do this because of no room to run it back? But unless you're sittin dead in the water, shouldn't the exhaust force keep it out? I guess I raised more questions than answers huh Anyway... GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hi Isuzu.

The exhaust ports are not meant to go through the sides. They will go up through the deck.
But whats your opinion on the "reversed" engine with the gearbox forwards - turning the power back through 2 flex-cables?
The purpose is to get the weight of the engine as far back as possible, and also get 2 sub-surface propellers.
My theory is that such propellers will provide more power through the water than surface piercing propellers do, as roostertails are wasted power.

Greetings!

Woodie.

I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as it isn;t too far back. You said this boat is being built to race in chop, right? I would go full submerged, if this boat turns out to be a screamer, you're going to be cutting through the top of the waves, and basically going airborne over the valleys. The lower the prop (in rough water) the more time it stays in the water providing push. On the other hand, you show up on race day, water's calm, you have a lot of drag. My Jersey Skiff would never work with surface drive... because down the straights, the only thing in the water is prop and rudder. I would go semi, but build in enough adjustment so you could raise or lower the prop if needed. Woodie, I'm basically just getting into boats, so what I'm saying is 90% logic and 174% GUESSING!!!! I've done alot of research, but that can't replace experience. Try it one way, if you're not satisfied.... change it. I would be real careful in the placement of the motor though... I wouldn't vary to far back from the norm.. that could be bad... Again... BEST OF LUCK!!!!!

Hi Isuzu.

Thx for the feedback. Even though I am known as a wise guy i still can take some good advice from other wise guys .
About weight (placing engine) I think that if the center of ignition plug is no further than about 25-30 % from the rear it should be fine, considering the hull shape and the fact that a gearbox and a gas tank (not shown) towards the front also have some weight.
About the performance across rough wawes, I will design the strakes to manage this.
I really don't want to put on trim tabs, but if nessecary I will do that.
Anyway the boat is not meant to win races in pawns, as this is not legit in my country, but I'm pretty sure it will be spectacular offshore in the rough waters of my fjord.

And here's a confession: Some 30 years ago I learned the trade of boatbuilding. Since that I have been into some truckdriving and for the last 25 years employed in the police. But don't tell anyone
My grown son is a sailing machine engineer, and promises to take care of mechanics and electronics.
So we should be a good team and hard to beat!

BTW I have considered changing the drive concept and get two MHZ z-drives (is it called so?), but they are very expensive, and I am not sure if they can manage the 2 x 6,5 hp from the Blata at approx 17.400 rpm each. Do you (or anyone) have any experience or ideas about this?

Cheers!

Woodie.

I've read reviews on them, but that's it. From what I've gathered, they can handle some meat!!! But in Texas, people don't call guys like me "wiseguys" I'm usually called a SMART@&#!! :silly: But it sounds to me that you have had an ACE up your sleeve, but I'm still up for the challenge, and look forward to it!!! :woohoo: This is what we need to do though... 1st part, get a speed reading on smooth water(that's what mine is built for) 2nd... Get rough water readings( that's what yours is built for) Add the 2 speeds, divide by 2.. Winning average scores the chocolate bar :woohoo: :woohoo: I can't wait, I finally got my parts cut out last night... assembly starts when I get off work tomorrow!!!!!! This boat is going to be a BEAST!! Till then... keep it canopy side up, and always remember.... IF ALL ELSE FAILS... JUST FREAKING GAAAAASSSS IT!!!!!!! :woohoo:

Isuzu.

I take the bet. When time comes I'll invest in a GPS and probably in a onboard video cam too.
Then we both make a run on smooth water and one in rough water (minimum 8 inch wawes). Then a simple division of results should point out the winner.
In the meantime I'm still waiting for my sorry leg to heal, before I finally can get on with the building during the coming winter. (Just can't wait much more).
The boats finish is also an issue for me. I'll cover the boat with epoxy, and then get a mc-guy to make a superb high gloss airbrush job on it.
You just wait and see!

But what is your upcoming project about? Do you have a thread about it here?

Cheers!

Woodie.

Hi guys, I'm back again and almost ready for some action in the workshop after i broke my leg and ankle 8 weeks ago. What they call a double complication (but that's just how I am)
Yesterday a very nice young blond surgeon removed a 60x4 mm screw of finest surgical steel from my ankle, but told me that I should keep the steel bar with six nails in my lower legbone. Thats ok. Added to my golden tooth it should raise my recycle value a bit.
Anyway I'm already on my feet with some care, and I expect to be ready for some serious boatbuilding in a week or so.
So as you can imagine i'm not "screwed up" anymore, and now I'm considering how to use this outmost fine screw in my build.
Any suggestions about this are welcome.
Pic shows the screw.

Cheers!

Woodie.

Glad to see ya cleaned it up before ya posted pics!!! And really glad to hear your able to start getting around!!! If you're like me I KNOW you were going STIRCRAZY!!! Just don't rush it and do something crazy... resulting in a reinjury!!!

Good to hear ya ok now Woodie!
Mount the screw like a little trophy and stick it somewhere in your work area to remind you why your so far behind!
Just jokes!
Any more artificial parts and we will have to start calling you 'CYBER-WOODIE'

Screw it into the front of your boat so you can hook a retrieval line over it when your boat stalls out on the water. They wouldn't let me keep the 150mm long 2mm stainless pin I had in my hand. They said it was a bio hazard! I didn't know I was toxic