Hydro Junkie

Would anyone be interested in a challenge build? I know there are building competitions going on at a few other sites, but this would be just for the fun of competition and building. If there is enough interest, I will finalize the rules and start date. This would also be helpful to those that want to learn the ins and outs of building a boat. I'm looking at using the Dumas Sport 40 Atlas Van Lines kit #1314 as the starting point since it's only $63 and probably won't break anyones bank. Let me know what you all think and we can take it from there.

Another option could be a build along thread, if that works better for new builders

f16man

What be the rules bub.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

I would have said to include 1/8 scale in the challenge, but as you know, I've gone over to the dark side (will be starting with a glass hull). However, I do need to build another "hydro" this winter, so I may participate if the boat I need to build, sport 20 tunnel, probably from Jerry's WOF plans, would be part of the contest. Perhaps have the contest include any wood built hydro that fits into a recognized hydro class (tunnels, cats, scale, sport)?

toyotatruckin

pipers idea sounds better, as more guys could join in and not just be stuck to one hull design, I think the build should be a fresh, (not started), kit or from plans ,even own design, boat should be an open hydro design (any class hydro but still needs to represent an actual boat, no riggers).... Should be judged on quality of build, paint must look good (if scale -needs to have picture of real boat to go by) now should the "build-off" go finished hull only or ready for water(hardware,engine,etc.) also mabey RCU could put up the winners picture on front page...... Also judges should not be entered in the contest.. mabey even a poll thread at the end of the build so the public could pick the winner....

ob nut

My Feedback: (1)

This will be fun. My winter build plans include one 47" WOF for gas tunnel, several 29" and 34" WOFs... So with this, is there going to be a catagory that includes mutliple builds at once instead of only one build?

Sean Bowf

I like the "all use the same kit" idea. That way it would be easier to judge, because everyone would need to adapt the same kit...and the judges could compare how different folks approached the short falls of the kit.

Sean

Hydro Junkie

As I said in the first post, all this depends on how much interest is shown, though I don't see why a multiclass contest would not be do-able. I'll wait for a few more responses and then we can take a look at how things are shaping up.

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

If that's what is decided, that's cool. The question is whether it will be possible to choose a kit that enough people would be interested in building.

Hydro Junkie

The main reasons I picked the Atlas kit are cost and variety. I was looking at the lowest outlay of $$$$$$$$$$ possible, while still letting some of the Pro Boat/Vegas owners move up to the larger class. The other Sport 40 options are the Dumas U-76 Atlas for a few dollars more, the Dumas Eagle for more still, or the Blazer Marine Whiplash which at the moment is out of production. As for variety, the Atlas could be convincingly painted as several different boats, from the Squire Shop to American Speedy Printing or Executone. A little modding of the cockpit could make the boat even more convincing. I really didn't want to get into tunnels as there is less involved in the build but more in setup, or scale boats since there are many that don't want to put that much work into a boat or, more importantly, put out that much money. Hope that helps clear things up Chuck

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

How about using the Dumas Drag N' Fly 20 kit where it lets all the Vegas owners use their existing equipment? I am pretty sure most of the hardware and engine can be an easy swap. I have one in the box I can measure up to see if things will fit, because I don't have a vegas to use for that, someone or everyone could help with that - plus its an easy swap to run an O/B also.

Sean Bowf

Isnt that an outboard in the picture jetpack?? I guess what I am getting at, is will the MV hardware work if it is set up for an outboard?

Sean

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

The Drag N' Fly 20 Mk II which that is pictured, can be built either way in the instructions, but from what I hear to be honest, struggles a bit as an outboard version as most hydros do I guess because of balance. The hull itself if you seen the bottom, has a tunnel that goes all the way to the transom, and could basically ride almost like a tunnel in a straight line. This is a Drag 40 but same thing only bigger.

Sean Bowf

IMPBA legal would be good too.. not saying this isnt...I don't know if it is or not.

Sean

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

Whew I dunno about that one...its best to have someone that has built one to go over that with a rule book. I would have to look at all the bulkheads and such in kit form and measure which I can do, but not all that familiar with interpreting the IMPBA rules. Someone needs to shout in on this.

misshydro

This is what I'm planning to build! the 1/8 kit cost 160! I might change the cockpit alittle to match this one I saw! Since some people told to stay away from the Miss Circus Circus hydro do to weight and build issues. Or I can build another one of these 10 foot hydros again!!

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

Not sure how this is going to work. After reading everyones thoughts it seems theres lots of directions going here to have a decent kind of judging. What HydroJunkie first suggested with everyone staying with the same kit here has merit and I have no objection to staying in the 40 range or such, but starting with the same kit for all sounds good. In plastic model building competition they have whats called a box stock class where nothing can be added or such and fidelity and finishing is whats judged - more or less a builders skill class - just to add to the mix here....

Harald1966

Good idea, but I'm into round nose these days. http://www.zippkits.com/hydro.htm

What is the criteria? Fastest or nicest?

F-16 Skywalker

does it have to be a hydro?
myself and a buddy are RC aircraft pilots and over the summer we both ended up with unfinished scratch built projects, his is hydro but mine is just speedboat design (trihull).
both equipped with nitro ducted fan setup.

chief3452

Hi Hydro,

The Atlas would be a great choice for the challenge. It was my first wood model kit. I started building mine in 1987, and it took me over 2 years to complete. Did I mention it was my "first" wood model? lol...Anyway, it is really basic wood kit and it could be made into almost any picklefork hull from the mid-70's. A few examples would be '74 PaynPak, '73 Miss Budweiser, '72 Notre Dame, etc. Because it is a sport 40 it won't matter that it is a Lucero hull and not a Jones. I have 4 boats going this winter already so I won't be participating, but I would love to see what everyone else comes up with. Hope this helps,

Scott

My old Atlas, OS .46, retired for now

thevirginian

Hey, Junkie or anybody
Do you know a good source for premium plywood from 1/16 to 1/4" thick and 48" in length? Thanks for your help

jetpack

My Feedback: (1)

Midwest Products of Hobart, Indiana will have your ply. Excellent quality. Contact a dealer (usually any hobby shop has a display) and have them special order, they won't stock anything that large. Midwest does not sell retail, you have to go through a distributor. They also carry veneers, balsa, basswood and spruce.

[link=http://www.midwestproducts.com/catalog_sa1.asp?srch_grp_id=8&sa1_id=15&sa2_id=27]Midwest Products[/link]

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

[link=http://www.balsausa.com]Balsa USA[/link] has plywood.

thevirginian

Thanks guys

Hydro Junkie

Okay boat builders, after much discussion and debate, as well as input in this thread, I think I have come up with a fairly workable set of rules. Input is always welcome as this is a rough draft, though if everyone is satisfied, we'll go with it:
1) All conventional hydroplanes will be Dumas Sport 40 or smaller kits designed for nitro power
2) Running gear, R/C gear and engine are up to the builder's discression, but must be installed to meet IMPBA/NAMBA/APBA requirements
3) Internal modifications are legal as long as the finished boat retains the basic look of the kit built stock
4) If the chosen kit has tails and a wing, these must be installed. Modifications such as cathedral wings and forward sloped tails are permited since this was a configuration of two full sized boats. Tails and wings may be added to boats not having them in the kit
5) If the chosen kit is of an actual unlimited hydroplane, the full sized paint scheme DOES NOT have to be used
6) Aftermarket fiberglass parts ARE NOT ALLOWED, unless offered through Dumas
7) Tunnelhulls, riggers and ski boats can be built, but will be judged separately from the hydroplanes.
8) Judging will be by forum members in a pole style format with each person getting one vote with the top boat from each type being in a separate pole for best overall boat.
9) Start and end dates will be determined, though a start dated after January 1, 2008 is most likely

There you have it, so let the discusion/debate begin

One thing to note, this is a learning/teaching event as well as competition. If something is modified, please explain why it was changed and, if possible, how the change was accomplished. I'm looking for clean builds from the experienced builders so the first time builders can see what it takes to build a good lightweight boat. The following kits are legal in this build:
#1305 Miss Unlimited
#1308 Drag'n Fly 40
#1310 Pay N' Pak
#1312 Atlas Van Lines U-1
#1314 Atlas Van Lines U-76
#1329 Eagle

All Sport 40 and smaller WOOD Tunnel hull kits(if there is enough interest, this catagory could be opened up to scratch builds as well, so let me know)
All Sport 40 and smaller WOOD Ski and deep Vee kit
Sport 40 and smaller sized riggers may be added if enough interest is shown, so again, let me know

The scale Atlas kit 1321, Miller American kit 1322 and Circus Circus kit 1325 are not legal for this event as the goal is to keep costs to a minimum and not too many can afford the $110-$360 for the kit as well as the $400+ for an engine

misshydro

Thats fine by me!! If I got to blow 86 dollars for a 40 kit I reather spend alittle extra for the 1/8 a scale kit.