New build crackerbox

[Sean-Nos]

Just ordered the plans for my next build it's an old race boat called a cracker box,I hope to run a V8 in it for the acoustics.Here is what I hope she will look like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcXchrQDVH4&feature=player_embedded

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build

Re: New build

Where can you get plans for that boat?
Awsome look

The plans I got are from Glen-l I was also looking at an outboard one by Ken Bassett.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build

Re: New build

This boat was designed as a direct drive no gear box so no reverse I can make it 10% bigger and fit a v drive but causes a lot of other probs.So I wanted to know if anybody has seen one of these a kitchen rudder and can it be fitted to a powerboat. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build

Re: New build

This is a link to my build just click on a pic to find out what is going on,This may take a while.
http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build

Re: New build

Did you get all the parts cut out yet?
Its been several days already.!

I have all the framework done now just a bit of fairing to do and then start planking,I know I am a bit slow but it's hard to build a boat when you have a boat to play with in this great weather, build or play build or play,play play play ,build
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/DSC00531.jpg

http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Sean..... what is the length? Are you going with a V-8?

She is 15ft 11'' still hope to get a V8 in her I am also looking at the 4.3 mercruiser vortec V6 seems like a good engine with a bit of get up and go and sounds ok they cost ?5500 I am in between buying a new engine or doing up an old one with lots of chrome,it's a toss up 'looks or reliability".

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Great new project. Following you on photobucket.

I think the idea of newer V6 is good. They are pretty efficient just not the bulldog force of the 8. Of course you could always go with a modified V12.
That forward compartment looks big enough.

Don't tempt me,It has been done.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

You might hate me for this but this is my donor boat a sportique 5.7 V8
I hope to use the engine, prop,rudder,trailer and maybe the v-drive.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I have a hull now just the first skin, next I will plank it in 1/4 mahogany.
http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/DSC00579.jpg

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Things have been a bit slow but the kids are back to school this week so I should have more time to play As you can see from my link I have been stripping the donor boat and have the engine out ready for a rebuild as you can hear on the video there is a slight knock in it. Today I got the first few planks of mahogany on the transom,I will add photos to the album tomorrow.

Check: My new build, below I update when I can. Thanks for the interest

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Hi thanks for the reply as you can see from my link http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/ I am still on the planking it,s a bit slow 1 plank a day just have the bottom planks to do now but not sure of the best way to make the transition from bottom to side and keep the line of the boat,if I cut along the top of the blue tape and bring the planking down at an angle I should get away with it.
The rudder i got from the donor boat is an inboard one and as the boat is a barrel back so I don't want one off the back.I will only have to move the engine forward about 5" off the CG and hope the weight of the gearbox and a few other bits eg battery will counter act the balance shift.
Also I was thinking instead of drilling a hole for the prop shaft i will cut a long slot and then fill with epoxy around the stuffing tube when it is lined up.

I am open to any suggestions.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

A little update I have the engine just about ready to go and at the moment I am building a mockup of the hull to sit it in so I can find the angle to drill the propshaft hole.

The hull is all planked to just below the waterline as that will be painted and the rest will be bright finished. Still a lot of sanding to do and then coat the sides in 4oz fiberglass cloth and the bottom in 6oz.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

It's alive

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I haven't done much more with the hull, the next step is to drill the prop shaft hole and it's taking a bit of working out as these boats where never built with a gearbox just direct drive so moving the center of gravity and getting the prop shaft angle have been causing a bit of a problem so to help me solve this I built a copy of the hull to use as a jig and set the engine up. I now have the angle at 13 degrees running a 13 x 13 prop so I think it will be ok " I hope"

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

As the weather looks good I decided to do the fiberglassing, I first lay out the cloth and and let it settle over night

Just doing one side at a time I am able to get 4 coats of resin on in a day with a 3 hour gap between each coat, when the boat is done it will be washed and sanded and given another filler coat or two before I paint and varnish it.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

First coat of primer I will sand this down with 600 paper and do two more coats and sand again.

First coat of paint "roll and tipped" I will do another 3 or 4 coats with a light sanding in between then on the last coat I will sand it with 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, wet and then rubbing compound. There is a white waterline around where I think it should be but it may need adjusting when I get her in the water.

Drilled out the hole for the prop shaft today, I had been putting it off a bit as there is no room for a mistake here.The angle was worked out from the engine setup and then marked on a bit of scrap wood where I drilled out a hole to take the extension bar holding the 2" bit, I also put a block of wood on the keel inside and out the same angle as the bit to give the tip a starting point and so it would not start walking when it came through.

All in all it went well except for the sawdust and smoke under the boat from drilling a 10" x 2" hole in mahogany while lying on your back, in the end it came out spot on target I now have to epoxy in a fiberglass tube to seal it up and then cut it down to size.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I am open to any suggestions on this as it's my first time working with a V8 and it's all new to me. I do plan on putting in a blower to run before the engine is started also I'm a big chap and my legs will be along side the engine so it won't be closed in The engine is standard in the ski boat that it came out of so I assumed it would be fine, there is also a flame arrestor for the carb. Any tips are welcome cheers.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

New thread started http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=527574 Thanks for your help.

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

Cheers,the hull is a long way off finished yet I still have about 4 more coats of red to go on after I fit the rudder and strut then about 8 coats of varnish on the sides I want it to look and feel like glass when it's done to keep the fish happy

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: New build crackerbox

I had to build a new strut to get the right angle for my build.

I just have to sink it a bit more and fiberglass the base and the prop tube that holds the stuffing box.

I always knew the rudder would be a tight fit but I think I might just get away with it using a plate to stop air been sucked in and affecting the steering. I think I will recess the plate into the hull leaving it flush and just hope it works.