Glen-L.com

My boat hasn't been in the sun as much as Butch's boat. I used 3M4000 UV, so far so good. I plan to have it at the Gathering. Maybe I'll set up a demo of the method.

Bill

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Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Bill---- I think a demo of seam caulking would be a great idea for G-6. It is one procedure in the building process that I am not looking forward to. A demo would take out a lot of that concern, I am sure.

Here is an update. The hull and topsides have been stained, sealed, and have two coats of varnish. I have all of the pieces that make up the cockpit (floor, firewall, seats, etc.) in my basement. They have also been stained and have three to seven coats of varnish. As you will see in the pictures, she is now on the trailer. I didn't plan on using the trailer just yet, but a friend and I pushed her out of the garage to turn her around and push her back in. At least that was the plan !!!! We got the boat to the driveway and two of the wheels broke off of the cradle. We tried to rebuild the cradle, but no luck. We managed to pull the trailer in the garage facing forward and back it under the boat. That day was absolutely the worst so far in this build. Make sure you overbuild your cradle. A flimsy one like mine worked fine until all of the weight got into the boat, then it gave out !!!! I have also made the final alignment on the motor trans and prop shaft. I am going to Minnesota for six days on Wednesday, and that will slow me down some, but G6 is a go !!!! Best to all,,,,,, Neel

A few more

Looking good. Will she be a virgin when she hits the water at G6 or will you get a chance before hand.

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Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDVzcVpdhc
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

Looking really good Neel.

Hope when I start mine I'll be able to get even close to your.

Bryan

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Want to build malahini "Mona Lisa"

My wife said "If I build a boat, she's getting a divorce."

Neel - I totally agree with you about the cradle. After I loaded up the boat with weight, my cradle collapsed. I went to the shop one morning and found Midnight laying on the ground tilted on her side. NOT GOOD. Nothing hurt but is sure not one of those things we want to see. These boats were made to sit on water, not the concrete floor of our shops.

dave

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Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Fergal..... I think I can do a test launch/ride about a week before G6. If she is going to sink, I want to be the only one watching !!!!

Brian..... With a little patience, and help from this forum, you will certainly be able to build a great boat.... I hope you end up with a little money left for the build after the divorce !!! Good Luck

Dave.... I think one screw up I made on the cradle was to use lag bolts ( wood to wood ) to hold it together, and also to attach the wheels. I think the 2X6 lumber I used was sufficient, but everything should have been "through bolted" with steel bracing at all junctions. I used long hefty lags, but in the end, they failed. When the cradle busted, I was lucky also, in that there was no damage to the hull.

Neel

Just read through the whole thread.
What a beatiful boat. Amazing.

Kurt

Well, On Wednesday we are going to launch her for a sea trial. I have about four more hours of work to do installing the seat boxes, floor, firewall. etc. I am going to test fire the motor again tomorrow, and then hopefully, good to go.... She is not 100%, but she will attend G6. See you all there......Neel

A few more

Checked out the G6 photo's. What a credit she is to you Neel!!! Stunning boat! How did she peform? I see you have trim tabs attached, did she need them?

Congratulations,
Glenn.

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By the time I have built a boat, I'll be ready to build a boat....

Thanks Glen,,,,, She runs like a dream. I have a 13 X 13 prop, and with that coupled to 310 HP, 32 MPH at 3,000 Rpm, 42 MPH at 4,000 RPM, 47 MPH at 4600 RPM. It "red lines" at 5,000, and I chickened out before I got there, but suspect a top end around 52 to 55 MPH. Way too fast for me !! I certainly didn't need the trim tabs at all to get up on plane, but they do come in handy to keep her level (side to side). It only takes a touch to the tab rocker to keep things straight, no matter what the passenger load. Sitting aft of the motor makes for a great ride. Even in white caps, it is a very comfortable. She is very stable, both when going straight ahead and in turns. The hull was designed perfectly, in my opinion. There should be some video coming so you can see what things look like when on plane. Only about the last third of the hull is in the water at 35 MPH and above. I had a great time at the Gathering and couldn't be happier with the boat's performance. I will be watching your progress. Here are a couple more pics at G6. That is my buddy in the pictures, and not me. Take care,,,,Neel

She looks amazing well done.

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Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDVzcVpdhc
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow

yippee, now I know what I have to look forward to!!

I await the video, Neel.

I'll first try my 13 x 15 prop, but after reading this, it may go back to the shop to reduce the pitch. I'm fortunate enough to have a neighbor who has loaned me his 13 x 13 for comparison.