I recently bought this old, well built timber and plywood model off Fleabay, along with a much larger F/Glass Hull, new and unused, just because the price was ridiculous.
Anyway this little speedboat hull was sitting idle taking up space, when my lady announced the other day she wanted a fast boat. I had only just built her Albert the tug, but she now wants something that will go quicker!
I don't have a clue what it is, but it's 635mm long x 250mm wide and came with a very worn propshaft and broken rudder and nothing else.
The propshaft is made from 1/8 bronze brazing rod, as is the rudder shaft, and the stuffing box bearings were, one missing and the outer one flogged out to over 4mm.
I turned up some new bearings and fitted a new S/Steel 1/8 shaft, as I didn't have any 4mm in stock. I then turned and tapped a bush for some plastic fast props I have in stock. I know that 1/8" is not a good size, but it will do for now until I can get some 4mm stock, next time I go to somewhere that might have it!
Trying to decide what to do about the rudder, as it is pointless putting 1/8" stainless in to replace the bronze, as I think it needs to go to 3/16 to minimise the risk of bending it, like has happened to the existing one. It'll be a pig trying to get the rudder tube out, as whoever built this thing did get some bits right!
So, the question is, does anybody have a clue what it is, and if so, do you have any idea about what the cover looks like, as I can't see any easy way of making something that will keep the water out!
Might have to go brushless on this one due to the shallow tube angle, otherwise a reduction drive will be needed.
Any help and suggestions appreciated, as I'm a Tug person, and this is my first attempt at getting something to go fast!
Ian.