cracker box - is born
Moderator: BruceDow
cracker box - is born
cracker box build
- start date jan 2013
- 16' 6" stretched the original boat drawing by 10% (allowable max)
- engine 1974 PCM 302 4v / 71C velvet drive 1:1 ratio - to be rebuilt - soon
Started my build by inputing data into CNC - data is basically the transfer of all dimensions & specific arc points required to cut all required frames (this aspect enabled an incalculable saving in time)
I have and will post my pics as they become available... I am now at the notching of the motor stringers, all frames are ready... I will be posting all of this including my used engine soon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is where I finished off today - Feb 14/2013 - just to give you a taste of where I am so far until I can upload everything
My boat should look something close to the bottom pic when completed - pics from Neil's Cracker Box, Totonto, Ontario, Canada (link to his photo's on Glen-L site) http://boatbuilders.glen-l.com/cracker- ... allery=492
- start date jan 2013
- 16' 6" stretched the original boat drawing by 10% (allowable max)
- engine 1974 PCM 302 4v / 71C velvet drive 1:1 ratio - to be rebuilt - soon
Started my build by inputing data into CNC - data is basically the transfer of all dimensions & specific arc points required to cut all required frames (this aspect enabled an incalculable saving in time)
I have and will post my pics as they become available... I am now at the notching of the motor stringers, all frames are ready... I will be posting all of this including my used engine soon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is where I finished off today - Feb 14/2013 - just to give you a taste of where I am so far until I can upload everything
My boat should look something close to the bottom pic when completed - pics from Neil's Cracker Box, Totonto, Ontario, Canada (link to his photo's on Glen-L site) http://boatbuilders.glen-l.com/cracker- ... allery=492
Last edited by andycap on Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:01 am, edited 14 times in total.
Re: cracker box - is born
I've wanted to build a boat for a long time. Always enjoyed the look of the sweet 16 Donzi, but at the same time loved the classic look of a wooden boat.
Plans were purchased mid nov 2011
Once I had decided to build my cracker box, the engine was the first thing I purchased. The engine is a 1974 PCM 302 with a 71C velvet drive. Engine purchased early december 2011 (research as shown that these engines where installed in ski nautique inboard boats)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN2l-QfYMMA][/url]
follow above link
to see similar engine running - as found on YouTube
Plans were purchased mid nov 2011
Once I had decided to build my cracker box, the engine was the first thing I purchased. The engine is a 1974 PCM 302 with a 71C velvet drive. Engine purchased early december 2011 (research as shown that these engines where installed in ski nautique inboard boats)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN2l-QfYMMA][/url]
follow above link
to see similar engine running - as found on YouTube
Last edited by andycap on Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:11 am, edited 6 times in total.
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:55 am
- Location: Co.Dublin, Ireland.
Re: cracker box - is born
Looking good
Today is the first day I got to work on mine over the winter but I hope to get her finished this summer if the weather lets me
I look forward to your posts I only wish you had started before me. 



Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40
Re: cracker box - is born
Thanks Fergal...
I've been checking your work for a while now, just keep motoring, the waters edge is close for you... love your barrel back transom - nice touch... keep up the good work!!!
I've been checking your work for a while now, just keep motoring, the waters edge is close for you... love your barrel back transom - nice touch... keep up the good work!!!
Re: cracker box - is born
AS I’ve mentioned earlier I have stretched my boat to 16'6" proportionally. Been doing research and following and reading old posts... there is no definite answer for C of B and C of G on the cracker box either on the original plans or anywhere... unless I missed these important measurements somewhere!!!??
- Can anybody help me out here... would greatly appreciate the info.
- Can anybody help me out here... would greatly appreciate the info.
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:55 am
- Location: Co.Dublin, Ireland.
Re: cracker box - is born
There is a bit of talk about it on my post viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9798&start=45 but it will depend on what engine you have and if you are going direct drive or with a gearbox I'm going with a gearbox and keeping it standerd length so God knows how it will run 

Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40
- Mr Hot Rod
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:40 pm
- Location: Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
- Contact:
Re: cracker box - is born
We've run some numbers on a stock length Cracker Box hull with a flywheel-forward V8 and Velvet Drive C71 transmission.
Once the hull CB was determined using HullForm and DelftShip modelling software, the hull weight, hull CB, engine, transmission,
passenger and fuel tank weights and locations were loaded into an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the hull CG for a single driver
and a driver/co-pilot. The results are posted here :
A similar shaft layout diagram was set up for a ZF45A 8 degree down angle installation, but the flywheel-forward V8 and Velvet Drive C71 configuration is a better fit.
Hope this helps !
____________________
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec
Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com
Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html
Once the hull CB was determined using HullForm and DelftShip modelling software, the hull weight, hull CB, engine, transmission,
passenger and fuel tank weights and locations were loaded into an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the hull CG for a single driver
and a driver/co-pilot. The results are posted here :
A similar shaft layout diagram was set up for a ZF45A 8 degree down angle installation, but the flywheel-forward V8 and Velvet Drive C71 configuration is a better fit.
Hope this helps !
____________________
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec
Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com
Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html
Re: cracker box - is born
I think the CB is on the plans......somewhere....... Perhaps mentioned in the written instructions.andycap wrote:AS I’ve mentioned earlier I have stretched my boat to 16'6" proportionally. Been doing research and following and reading old posts... there is no definite answer for C of B and C of G on the cracker box either on the original plans or anywhere... unless I missed these important measurements somewhere!!!??
- Can anybody help me out here... would greatly appreciate the info.
I remember many things I looked for and found elusive, until I read the plans just 1 more time!!
Oak is over rated, everything about it takes extra time; then it warps, splits or checks !!! 

Re: cracker box - is born
Paul, You have too much time on your hands. Those long quebecois winters, I think.Mr Hot Rod wrote:We've run some numbers ...
The information is posted ...
Once the hull CB was determined ...
...weights and locations were loaded ...
A similar shaft layout diagram was set up ...
---
Andycap,
If the result is as good as the photos and postings, it is going to be a superb boat. Great job. Keep the information flowing.
V-driver
Paul Miller in Memphis, TN
"Yeah, I had lunch with him last week at the Cracker Barrel out on I-40."
"Yeah, I had lunch with him last week at the Cracker Barrel out on I-40."
- Mr Hot Rod
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:40 pm
- Location: Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
- Contact:
Re: cracker box - is born
Paul :
How did Ray Macke phrase it ??
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec
Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com
Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html

How did Ray Macke phrase it ??
- "So many Glen-L designs to build and so little time to build them ..."
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec
Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com
Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html
Re: cracker box - is born
Thanks guys, I will check the plans and instructions once more!!!
If not successful, I will scale the drawing and do some mathematical interpellation for positioning my v8 302 /71c configuration. I will post my findings or calculations for you gents to scrutinise and check - OK
If not successful, I will scale the drawing and do some mathematical interpellation for positioning my v8 302 /71c configuration. I will post my findings or calculations for you gents to scrutinise and check - OK
Re: cracker box - is born
All carboard cutouts of each frame where done on CNC to check the accuracy of the input data against the full size drawings obtained from Glen-L
CNC and owner operator's of woodworking shop
Typical frames (white oak) where all buiscuit joined and glued prior to trimming on CNC
CNC and owner operator's of woodworking shop
Typical frames (white oak) where all buiscuit joined and glued prior to trimming on CNC
Last edited by andycap on Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:22 am, edited 4 times in total.
Re: cracker box - is born
Frame # 5 - buiscuit joined and glued; shown with cardboard cutout/template
frame #5 being cut on CNC
frame cut with precision - all six frames cut in under two hours
frame #5 being cut on CNC
frame cut with precision - all six frames cut in under two hours
Last edited by andycap on Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: cracker box - is born
routing out for the battens and keel
all done in one shift
all done in one shift
Last edited by andycap on Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 1292
- Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:55 am
- Location: Co.Dublin, Ireland.
Re: cracker box - is born
Frame 4 is all wrong and won't work, never trust a machine to do your work. Just kidding looks great I'm just a bit jealous that you got them cut out in one shift 

Malahini, SEAN-NÓS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40
crackerbox build http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... =slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfNjkhMRt40