A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Moderator: BruceDow
A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Hello All,
One of our former members, JR Lindamood, who provided some assistance to me back in 2011 has sent me some updated photos of his Zip. This is the first boat he built several years ago before building his Malahini. He gave me permission to post these and since another GR showed up at G7, I think it is very relevant. He also re-did his Malahini a year or two ago and it is just as awesome as the Zip.
One of our former members, JR Lindamood, who provided some assistance to me back in 2011 has sent me some updated photos of his Zip. This is the first boat he built several years ago before building his Malahini. He gave me permission to post these and since another GR showed up at G7, I think it is very relevant. He also re-did his Malahini a year or two ago and it is just as awesome as the Zip.
2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
two more:
2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
I cant believe that's the same Zip as he had before, its so Un-Zipped now! Hey, that would make a good name Jerry 

Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Yeah, it is an amazing transformation. Here is the link to the before photos:
http://boatbuilders.glen-l.com/zip-desi ... llery=1263
http://boatbuilders.glen-l.com/zip-desi ... llery=1263
2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
The Zip is such versatile design you can make it just about anything you want in a boat. Really nice as a GR. Were there any rebalance issues with all the weight moved aft?
Roberta

Roberta



Roberta "Queen of the Boat Builders"
Built Zip "Oliver IV", Super Spartan "Jimmy 70", and Torpedo "The Glen L".
Built Zip "Oliver IV", Super Spartan "Jimmy 70", and Torpedo "The Glen L".
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Roberta Hegy wrote:Were there any rebalance issues with all the weight moved aft?
Seems to have worked out.

- Dave Grason
- Posts: 3762
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 5:19 am
- Location: Lake Barkley, KY
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
I'm just SO amazed at how this exercise completely changes the appearance of the boat! As I have not yet decked my own Zip, I'm really tempted to do mine this way. But in the end, I think I will more appreciate the practicality of the original layout.
Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.
-
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: Malakoff Texas
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Hey Folks,
I'm back after an extended absence. It's good to see people are still building boats and having fun doing it!
When I first built the "Zip" in 07 , I thought it would be cool to make a GR out of it, but stayed with the plans.
Last winter I needed a project and you see what happened. It's just what every 65 year old (fatter than they used to be)
guy needs
You put two old dudes in it and you have spam in a can, but it is fun .
I really don't suggest this for the novice boater, especially with 70 horses. 50 horses will take you to about 35 mph and it is stable
with that hp. I have been around boats all of my life and catching some air now and then don't bother me.
I made some changes to the bottom as well. I removed the outer keel and replaced it with two lift strakes. This worked well.
I got this idea from a fellow AOMCI member who raced back in the day. The reason for doing this is to keeps the water clean
(no air) ahead the prop.
The weight thing does present some issues. I put the gas tank up front about three feet from the seat, added a 50 lb. bag of sand
all the way forward. It still tends to porpoise some, but I think another bag of sand will cure it. It also has the "smart tabs" which tends to
hold the bow down. I'm still experimenting. It's only been in the water once with the 70 horse.
With a 17p prop it's running 43 mph . I turning too many rpm's and think I may get 50 out of it with a 19p prop.
If anyone happens upon one for a Dock buster Mercury please give me a holler!
It's nice to be back, I'm not the expert for sure, but will be glad to add my two cents worth anytime.
Thanks Jeff for talking me into it !
I'm back after an extended absence. It's good to see people are still building boats and having fun doing it!
When I first built the "Zip" in 07 , I thought it would be cool to make a GR out of it, but stayed with the plans.
Last winter I needed a project and you see what happened. It's just what every 65 year old (fatter than they used to be)
guy needs

I really don't suggest this for the novice boater, especially with 70 horses. 50 horses will take you to about 35 mph and it is stable
with that hp. I have been around boats all of my life and catching some air now and then don't bother me.
I made some changes to the bottom as well. I removed the outer keel and replaced it with two lift strakes. This worked well.
I got this idea from a fellow AOMCI member who raced back in the day. The reason for doing this is to keeps the water clean
(no air) ahead the prop.
The weight thing does present some issues. I put the gas tank up front about three feet from the seat, added a 50 lb. bag of sand
all the way forward. It still tends to porpoise some, but I think another bag of sand will cure it. It also has the "smart tabs" which tends to
hold the bow down. I'm still experimenting. It's only been in the water once with the 70 horse.
With a 17p prop it's running 43 mph . I turning too many rpm's and think I may get 50 out of it with a 19p prop.
If anyone happens upon one for a Dock buster Mercury please give me a holler!
It's nice to be back, I'm not the expert for sure, but will be glad to add my two cents worth anytime.
Thanks Jeff for talking me into it !
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Thanks for the info, Jerry!! I'm sure anyone thinking about turning a Zip into a GR will appreciate hearing about the mods you did and the progress you made in getting the most out of the boat. Very nice rendition!!!
Roberta

Roberta



Roberta "Queen of the Boat Builders"
Built Zip "Oliver IV", Super Spartan "Jimmy 70", and Torpedo "The Glen L".
Built Zip "Oliver IV", Super Spartan "Jimmy 70", and Torpedo "The Glen L".
- darthplywood
- Posts: 591
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:53 pm
- Location: Erie, PA
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
not only does the boat look great.....that vintage merc is a work of art!
Built the 17' Glen-L "Sea Knight"
yet to come...11' Glen-L "Utility"
yet to come...11' Glen-L "Utility"
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
I have seen Jerry's Zip before and after the rebuild and it looks better then the picture shows. Great job Jerry.
Jerry has been a great source of advice on building my Malahini.
James
Jerry has been a great source of advice on building my Malahini.
James
- Gayle Brantuk
- Posts: 1874
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:02 pm
- Location: San Clemente, CA
- Contact:
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Jerry, your boat looks beautiful and thank you for sharing the results of your changes in our Zip design. (glad you're back on the Forum too
)

Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
That's quite a transformation from the spit cockpit to the gentleman's racer. Did you replace the in tire deck.
Was there reinforcing done to the transom also
Great job.
Jeff
Was there reinforcing done to the transom also
Great job.
Jeff
-
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: Malakoff Texas
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
Recovering the deck and getting it fair was probably the hardest part .
I built a frame to hold the deck, one quarter inch below it and faired the frame.
At this point I thought it was just a matter of fastening plywood to the frame with
a little filler here and there and I was home. Not so, it took an Ocean of thickened
Epoxy to get it fair. It took time , but you can't tell where the forward cockpit is now.
I did nothing to the transom bracing, that was different from the plans.
I think the perfect boat would be a "zip" 16 to 17 ft. with a deep V bottom.
That would be a great boat IMHO.
I built a frame to hold the deck, one quarter inch below it and faired the frame.
At this point I thought it was just a matter of fastening plywood to the frame with
a little filler here and there and I was home. Not so, it took an Ocean of thickened
Epoxy to get it fair. It took time , but you can't tell where the forward cockpit is now.
I did nothing to the transom bracing, that was different from the plans.
I think the perfect boat would be a "zip" 16 to 17 ft. with a deep V bottom.
That would be a great boat IMHO.
Re: A new Zip Gentleman's Racer
I think, if i had seen these pictures six months ago, i would have tried to build exactly the same!
That looks just awesome!
Joris
That looks just awesome!
Joris