A new Zip Gentleman's Racer

[jeffh]

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.

[jeffh]

two more:

[vupilot]

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

[jeffh]

Yeah, it is an amazing transformation. Here is the link to the before photos:
http://boatbuilders.glen-l.com/zip-desi ... llery=1263

[Roberta]

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

[AaronStJ]

Were there any rebalance issues with all the weight moved aft?

Seems to have worked out.

[Dave Grason]

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.

[Jerry Lindamood]

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 !

[Roberta]

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

[darthplywood]

not only does the boat look great.....that vintage merc is a work of art!

[jbooher]

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

[Gayle Brantuk]

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 )

[cusoak]

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

[Jerry Lindamood]

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.

[Joris]

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