Modern Hydroplane Designs

[BillCNC]

Hello All,

I was wondering if there is any information on current hydroplane designs that I could read up on. I think my oldest son and I have been bit by the hydro racing bug. We are having so much fun on the lake with the Glen-L Super Spartan I built, we want to learn more about the modern designs so we can possibly building a couple for racing next season.

I see in pictures of stepped hulls, stepped sponson's and recessed areas at the transom. Other things like the cockpit sides going past the transom instead of being flush are things we want to know. Not only just do it this way, .. but why it's done that way are what we would like to study on.

Is there any information like that available?

Thanks
Bill

[ZUL8TR]

Hydro design

You will not find this info any a single volume you have to search. Designers are always changing things to tweek their designs so things change often. There are however certain basics that are followed depending on the class. Thanks to search as a start to your venture just type in the Search function above - hydroplane design -and start reading. Also go to BRF site and do the same. Then ask questions and they most likely will be answered.

In addition to design dimensions there is the subject of materials used like: plywood, framing, carbon fiber, honeycomb, and ..........

[DeanFHobart]

Kits Available

You could get a kit.

I'm not sure if current outboard design information is available from the internet.

The owner of HydroRacer (this web site) Mike Phillips also owns Montana Race Craft, which you see advertised on this site, has kits and plans, I think available.

Others let this man know, what kits are available.

Good Luck..............................................

[3autility]

Hydro

If you want a great handling boat that goes fast, get in touch with Bil Giles. His boats are the best. I still run my Giles hydro built in '85 with the old Merc race motors.

[Wild Bill 96D]

Glad to here the bug is still out there bitting people. "Welcome aboard" WILD BILL

[BillCNC]

You will not find this info any a single volume you have to search. Designers are always changing things to tweek their designs so things change often. There are however certain basics that are followed depending on the class. Thanks to search as a start to your venture just type in the Search function above - hydroplane design -and start reading. Also go to BRF site and do the same. Then ask questions and they most likely will be answered.

In addition to design dimensions there is the subject of materials used like: plywood, framing, carbon fiber, honeycomb, and ..........

.
ZUL8TR,

I have been searching Google just brings up millions of RC boats. I have been searching for terms such as you said, ... but the information is so scattered, it's painful.

What I find strange is the lack of information in the boat racing in general. Example, ... when I rebuilt my Geo Metro engine, ... I just typed "Geo Metro engine rebuild" and a ton of stuff, pictures hints and such came up. It was like a library of everything I could possibly want to know. Now if I do the same on Yamato 102 rebuild you get absolutely NOTHING, not even a picture well besides the pictures I myself posted. You would think someone would have documented their work from any number of countries, ... but that's not the case considering how old these 102 are. I find the same with modern hydroplane design.

Just so everyone knows, ... If I ask a question here, ... it's because 99% of the time, ... the information is not out there. I have been going through all the threads in the "Technical Discussion" section of this forum for just about everything that might involve my situation.

Google has been my friend for many many years, ... but if the information is not public, ... Google wont do a darn thing for me.

Seems to me, .. some hydro gurus should put up some general tech information on the web for newbies such as myself to not make this such a nut buster just to keep the sport going. I'm sure more than one person has just turned away because of it, ... I guess I'm not smart enough to get discouraged to that point.

Bill
who is till searching.

[BillCNC]

You could get a kit.

I'm not sure if current outboard design information is available from the internet.

The owner of HydroRacer (this web site) Mike Phillips also owns Montana Race Craft, which you see advertised on this site, has kits and plans, I think available.

Others let this man know, what kits are available.

Good Luck..............................................

Dean,

I checked out Mike's site, ... $600 for plans, ... Now it might be the nicest set of plans, ... but heck!
As far as a kit, ... If that comes with the lumber, ... I would rather pick up the lumber locally, it would be half the cost of the lumber itself just to ship the kit.

Bill

[ZUL8TR]

hydro info

.
ZUL8TR,

I have been searching Google just brings up millions of RC boats. I have been searching for terms such as you said, ... but the information is so scattered, it's painful.

What I find strange is the lack of information in the boat racing in general. Example, ... when I rebuilt my Geo Metro engine, ... I just typed "Geo Metro engine rebuild" and a ton of stuff, pictures hints and such came up. It was like a library of everything I could possibly want to know. Now if I do the same on Yamato 102 rebuild you get absolutely NOTHING, not even a picture well besides the pictures I myself posted. You would think someone would have documented their work from any number of countries, ... but that's not the case considering how old these 102 are. I find the same with modern hydroplane design.

Just so everyone knows, ... If I ask a question here, ... it's because 99% of the time, ... the information is not out there. I have been going through all the threads in the "Technical Discussion" section of this forum for just about everything that might involve my situation.

Google has been my friend for many many years, ... but if the information is not public, ... Google wont do a darn thing for me.

Seems to me, .. some hydro gurus should put up some general tech information on the web for newbies such as myself to not make this such a nut buster just to keep the sport going. I'm sure more than one person has just turned away because of it, ... I guess I'm not smart enough to get discouraged to that point.

Bill
who is till searching.

Did you search this site as I said to in my post? I did and there is lots of info here.

[krazy karl]

Check out Sorensenwoodcraft.com. He has plans and kits.
kk

[Fast_ditchey]

Hello All,

I was wondering if there is any information on current hydroplane designs that I could read up on. I think my oldest son and I have been bit by the hydro racing bug. We are having so much fun on the lake with the Glen-L Super Spartan I built, we want to learn more about the modern designs so we can possibly building a couple for racing next season.

I see in pictures of stepped hulls, stepped sponson's and recessed areas at the transom. Other things like the cockpit sides going past the transom instead of being flush are things we want to know. Not only just do it this way, .. but why it's done that way are what we would like to study on.

Is there any information like that available?

Thanks
Bill

I hear you, im in the same place you are, its even harder for the special classes. I want to start building, but i dont want to jump in blind and spend extra money.

[raceright]

.
ZUL8TR,

I have been searching Google just brings up millions of RC boats. I have been searching for terms such as you said, ... but the information is so scattered, it's painful.

What I find strange is the lack of information in the boat racing in general. Example, ... when I rebuilt my Geo Metro engine, ... I just typed "Geo Metro engine rebuild" and a ton of stuff, pictures hints and such came up. It was like a library of everything I could possibly want to know. Now if I do the same on Yamato 102 rebuild you get absolutely NOTHING, not even a picture well besides the pictures I myself posted. You would think someone would have documented their work from any number of countries, ... but that's not the case considering how old these 102 are. I find the same with modern hydroplane design.

Just so everyone knows, ... If I ask a question here, ... it's because 99% of the time, ... the information is not out there. I have been going through all the threads in the "Technical Discussion" section of this forum for just about everything that might involve my situation.

I just checked as to were you live,California--good luck (are you still allowed to own a boat out there lololo,but really not funny)

Google has been my friend for many many years, ... but if the information is not public, ... Google wont do a darn thing for me.

Seems to me, .. some hydro gurus should put up some general tech information on the web for newbies such as myself to not make this such a nut buster just to keep the sport going. I'm sure more than one person has just turned away because of it, ... I guess I'm not smart enough to get discouraged to that point.

Bill
who is till searching.

Bill

This is just one more problem that boat racing has, it seems as though we are hiding from the world. My suggestion is for you to find a racer & club in your area that I'm sure will be of much help. You see almost all who race our style have tremendous knowledge but are busy doing what they are doing.

trust me post were you live on this site and who ever lives within a reasonable distance might get a hold of you and this will start giving you what you need.

[Dave_E71]

Bill and others,

My recommendation is pretty much what Pat said.
Find somebody in your area who races and talk to them, go to a race (or two) before you jump in....

I will add that this will let you see how many boats are in the class(es) you want to run and may influence your decision. Also, for the first year or two you might want to consider getting a used rig rather than building a new boat, this would allow you to concentrate on developing your skills instead of trying to get the boat sorted in addition to yourself.

Bill, you're in Hesperia, CA, Ron Hill (www.hillmarine.net) is in Santa Ana, he and his family have been around racing for "a while" also, they probably could give you an idea as to the state of Stock Outboard racing in Southern California.

Bryan, nice Ghia, I'm not sure who is around Grants Pass you could get in contact with, maybe somebody else?

Dave

[Dave M]

Mrc

I suggest using MRC. If you purchase a set of plans, those can be shipped pretty cheap, it is just rolled up paper. You mentioned you wanted to purchase lumber locally, and I think that is your best bet. Better yet, get off the web and actually call some of these people and talk to them in person. Not a lot of us are willing to put our latest designs on the web for our competition to see.

My interpretation of what you seek is a project you can build and try to come up with your own, based off some basic designs. That is very achievable. It is how most builders got their start. They purcahsed a new boat, or plans, or a kit, built it, ran it and came up with their own ideas based off their experience in the rig. For one of us to try and explain it to you on the web, my hands would cramp. So many variables, it is best to just build a known desgn first, get some experience in how the boat reacts to your driving and horsepower, and then from there come up with your own. I don't suggest to anyone to try and build a 70MPH race boat without first knowing the way it is suppose to work and feel. While your project boat you posted pics of looks like a lot of fun, it is not even in the same leauge as a race boat.

I am not trying to be a jerk, or a smart azz either.

[mercguy]

I hear you, im in the same place you are, its even harder for the special classes. I want to start building, but i dont want to jump in blind and spend extra money.

You have one of the best boat builders in the country in Grants Pass.....Larry Darneille....

[DeanFHobart]

Take Measurements

Bill,

Go to a boat race and take some measurements of boats you like, so you could design your own. The information from the internet most likely would not be current. Boat racers and builders are constantly updating and tweeking their designs.

For instance, If I had a winning design, why would I want to give you that information??? If you know what I mean.

Good Luck and stay involved.