Glen-L.com

Got my plans and books today thanks.Just like to know if there are any other cracker box builders at the moment to answer a few questions before I get going.I emailed all on the project registry and got two replys from JT Patroni and Peter Randall They sent me some great photos.
Has anyone built to the plans with a direct drive if so how do you find it,or should I add the 10% and keep my options open
Are there plans to build a curved transom like JT Pantroni, looks very nice.

Any advice from anybody will be great thanks.

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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

My project is "in progress". If you want it to go fast, go with an
8* or 9* strut. That geometry will dictate where the motor is placed. I am going with the "bob tail" drive as well, and standard length hull.

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As Conan the Barbarian says, " It's not how hard you can hit, it's how hard you can get hit and remain standing".

I built my Crackerbox the standard length with direct drive. I will do my best to answer any questions.

Great looking boat have you any photos of the start of your build,
I want to start buying some parts on ebay and would like to know what angle strut to look for,I hope to use a 4.3 v6 mercruiser or a v8.Do you think the tabs you have are a must or can I get away without them.THANKS.

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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

Thanks for the compliments, I will look for some early build pics.

As far as looking for a strut, I would wait until your further on into your build. There are too many factors involved, what motor V6 or V8, will you run a trans or go bobtail, and will you mount the rudder in front or behind the transom. All these have an effect on the shaft angle. It took me 3 years from the start of the build to launch. I made a lot changes to what I had thought I was going to do when I started my build.

Start the hull and keep building until you have a boat frame. By this time you will have downed countless beers to aid in your design process, at least I did. Then you can do some mock ups with your hull and what ever you decide by then to use for a powertrain.

I used the tabs because I mounted my rudder outboard of the transom and I found a great deal with them on ebay.

I'm going to sell my Crackerbox this summer. Let me know if your interested.

This is a link to work so far just click on a pic to find out what is going on.
http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx17 ... rackerbox/

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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

Fergal,

Looks like you are off to a good start. Keep up the great work.
I like the fancy curves you put on the plywood gussets.

Jim

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If you don't build it now, You will regret it later!

Crackerbox Build:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/jtpatronimfg/

Thanks for the link. Ill be following your build. Looks great so far.

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Chr ... O0x7SvsQE#

"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

Dude, you have some nice looking wood. That's not a saying I throw out to all the guys either.

Keep at it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ebd3KLs3dg

Thanks for that and you will be glad to know its all hardwood Just a quick question on the motor stringers, how deep do you cut for the seat I see that at one point it is very thin were it is notched for the frame will this not weaken it..I am 6foot4 and would like to sit as low as pos, also the taper at the other end is there a set angle for this or do you just go from 3" down and back to notch 4.Thanks again.

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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

Fergal

I sent you a PM.

Jim

_________________
If you don't build it now, You will regret it later!

Crackerbox Build:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/jtpatronimfg/

Is there another info sheet for the curved transom beside the one in boatbuilding with plywood. Thanks

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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

Fergal

Sorry, no. I built the curved transom piece by piece. I started with the flat
unit that the plans called for and fabricated one piece at a time til I came up
with what I wanted. Discarded numerious pieces in the process.

Look at my photo bucket, there is several pictures of the transom as I put it together.

_________________
If you don't build it now, You will regret it later!

Crackerbox Build:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/jtpatronimfg/

Am I missing something here frame 5 looks to be a bit low ,nothing is fixed yet but the way it's going I will have to take 1" off the keel,the stem looks like it will line up ok so should I bring frame 5 up to meet it. I think I got the 2"above floor level right what else could I be missing??or is it ok. THANKS.

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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

Fergal,

I don't think you made any mistake. If you look at the plans the keel should be bent (bowed)
7/8" to meet frame 5. The keel is flat from the transom to frame 4 then it bows down towards
frame 5 and the stem. That slight bow matches the curve of the stem.

If you look at pic 15 in my photobucket album, you will see that I used 2 bar clamps to pull the
2nd layer of keel down to meet the first layer of keel and the stem.

Jim

_________________
If you don't build it now, You will regret it later!

Crackerbox Build:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/jtpatronimfg/