Giving a Bezoat a Second Chance

[ZUL8TR]

The answer to someone’s post on boat measurements. The bottom width is 35” and transom height is 15 1/2” with a 1/4x 16” relief in the middle I am likely the one who Luc refers to as the boatbuilder

Assuming the 15.5" transom is vertical not slant dimension assumed taken from outside the tunnel bottom that will require about a 1" shim to get the Y80 at 1/2" depth of the level prop shaft below the bottom (not the tunnel). Final fit and testing will probably change this shim thickness. I would add about 3/8" to the transom as a permanent piece because the Y80 does not have deep clamps like the 302 and you do not want the 80 clamped too close to the top of the transom to prevent low orbit engine ejection ;-) That safety thing again.

[ZUL8TR]

I believe you mean coaming not cowl. These days the left coaming is cut down (more than this boat was) to allow the driver to crouch low and lean into the Left Turn Only on the race course. So getting around the corner is faster while still keeping the sponsons clear of the water (takes practice with balance). No protection head on with higher right coaming, cut down left side protection reduced from hit on that side, right side protection better with high coaming but too high and left turn aero affected by side wind. Extra strength is the reason coamings are mostly carbon fiber plus wood in some designs.

All in all driving a hydro at high speed is inherently dangerous and safety equipment required at all times as well as a rescue boat and do not leave the good judgement and common sense at the shore.

As noted in my comment in #9.1 and Dean's post in #14 pattern that cowl. To do the deck correctly it needs to be removed so the deck can be installed underneath the cowl edge that contacts the deck. If not the blend will be a poor fit requiring filler.

[Albert]

The answer to someone’s post on boat measurements. The bottom width is 35” and transom height is 15 1/2” with a 1/4x 16” relief in the middle I am likely the one who Luc refers to as the boatbuilder

You are the brains of this operation, the rest of us are just running sanders.

[Carruthers]

The answer to someone’s post on boat measurements. The bottom width is 35” and transom height is 15 1/2” with a 1/4x 16” relief in the middle I am likely the one who Luc refers to as the boatbuilder

[DeanFHobart]

Question for those in the know.
Is there any real safety benefit to running a higher cowl on the rh side like the more modern boat seem to run? I can’t see it doing much to stop a boat coming at you at speed. Or is this primarily a styling choice.

I would suggest keeping it the way it is.... Changing it would take the nostalgia out of the design. The cockpit sides and cowl are just fine in my opinion.... The cowls on runabouts are now sometimes higher or longer on the right side... but not necessarily on hydros.

[Albert]

Question for those in the know.
Is there any real safety benefit to running a higher cowl on the rh side like the more modern boat seem to run? I can’t see it doing much to stop a boat coming at you at speed. Or is this primarily a styling choice.

[DeanFHobart]

Get a template of the cowl while it is still on the boat.

[Albert]

Furthermore I just wanted to point out I won’t be doing the deck work. A local with much more experience has stepped up to do that part of the project.
There is a small but committed group of people in the area and were hoping to have enough boats that if the boarder is still closed next year we can race among ourselves.

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[Albert]

[Albert]

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[Albert]

Names actually Luc.
Some real boat guys showed up this afternoon and removed the rest of the decking to check the interior wood work. Everything looks like this will be a quick deck job, level and paint.

[ZUL8TR]

Same here Albert. You will work out the colors once reconstructed. If the cowl is still on or removed without too much damage make a thin poster construction board (the white stuff kids use in school for projects) pattern for the new wood. Have much experience with boat restorations with epoxy, varnish, wood work, etc just ask if needed.

[Albert]

Nice to meet you online Pete,
I’ll have to measure and compare to one of the local boats.
Funny enough we were talking paint last night and it was pointed out to me that there’s a few pounds to be saved there. Likely the bottom will receive a full coat of paint to hide all the filler and repairs. The boat will be receiving all new ocume up top and will likely be receiving blue/white accents or white/green accents. Jury is still out but the blue paint is in my garage and paid for. The paint job on it currently is a bit much for my taste.

[ZUL8TR]

Pete here

Since it was raced with the 80 years ago it might not have been raced as high as today where they run them measured at rear of prop shaft to be no higher than 1/2" below bottom measured outside the tunnel surface. Some do not cool at that height depends on several factors prop being one of them. I run the 80 at 1/2" with 3 blade on the round nose in the Avatar and it cools ok.

Great you are taking it down to wood.

With new 3mm ocume on the deck and cowl will you be doing it natural finish with color highlights?

Restoring old race boats is great therapy.

[Albert]

Mr or Mrs L8tr,
I’ll get measurements next time I’m up to the boat, but it was raced with a Yamato 80.
I may not be much for wood work but I can follow directions and have a wealth of knowledge around.
The list of west system and epoxies seem to be growing as my father strips the boat.
I would say 60% of the decking is already removed, all the wood work inside seems to be in remarkable shape considering what the outside of the boat looked like.
I was told to plan to spend a lot of time getting the bottom flat. I’m fortunate to have some time off this month before work gets real busy so progress should come fairly quick over the next few weeks.
As you mentioned the bottom is not done. We’re going down to bare wood, then it’s getting the full west systems catalog thrown at it.
Next update will include photos from the top with deck removed...and perhaps measurements.