New Hull Design
 

I just stumbled across a new hull design being built right here in NJ. All I can say is WOW!!! Wait till the Offshore people see this! LOA 32ft, 7' Beam, 23 degree bottom at the transom, 3 steps, 1st one RAMAIR INJECTED from recessed scoops in the bow, located on the hull sides of the boat. Sort of like a Ferarri type scoop. Now the kicker;) Hull&Deck weight to be in at around 2,000 lbs. Hull vacuum bagged with 1 1/4" Balsa and the sides 1" Balsa. Deck will also be composite material. The boat is a prototype right now and the deck hasn't been started yet. Soon as I get some pics,(You know me) I will post them. I had made only one input about the last step and hope they may try this out. The idea I have been hoping someone will try to eliminate the step bottom boats from spinning in the turns. Time will tell if they go ahead and use it. ;)

A link to photos of how this boat was built: http://pages.zdnet.com/sharkeymarine/id37.html

Sharkey
Sounds really kool!!!! Good luck to whom ever it is with this project. Is it a current boat builder or someone new getting into the game? Where in Jersey?

Ram Air? Hhhhmmmm at about 200 Mph should work just Fine, That’s Assuming the intake Scoop is sufficiently large! (IMHO I do not believe a Scoop large enough could be fitted on the boat) Did they ever do any calculations of the CFM needed, you would be Very surprised. Also the” Reverse Gear Water Spout Effect” .Check valves anyone!! Balsa ??well I guess its Cost Effective! Core Cell would be the Logical Choice,Or Airex.But Its only my $.02

Best Regards

No one new to the business. Here is a list of their 1st place finishes:



OPEN CLASS-NORTH AMERICAN

1ST.
OPEN CLASS-NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST.
PRO STOCK

1ST.
APBA NE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST.
APBA NORTH AMERICAN SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST.
APBA NE DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST.
APBA NORTH AMERICAN SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST.
NJ GOVERNORS CUP

1ST.
TRUMPS GRAND NATIONAL WINNER

1ST.
APBA NORTH AMERICAN SERIES

1ST. This company has the technology to build an incredible boat. The air ducts are channeled 2 ways. Air to the first step and secondly, to the engine compartment. They are quite large scoops. I'm sure they planned it all out quite well. This boat has a nice sharp vee for cutting through the rough, and then has large strakes towards the bow, coming right off the keel. They will keep the bow lifting at all times and help prevent a stuff. This company has done alot of R&D with the core manufacturers. My only guess is Steve, that Balsa must have come out on top overall. Money is not an object to building the boats that they do. Their customers want the best and don't settle for anything less. Yes, foam may come in lighter, but their must still be a question about how long it will stay adhered to the fiberglass. This company has a long History with the Balsa with maybe one failure if at all, that it had anything to do with their layup. To date, there has not been one warranty claim made because their hulls do stay together. Race or Pleasure. I can't wait to see this boat hit the water. Soon as I have Pictures, I will post them. Oh, I left one out: KEY WEST PRO STOCK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1ST PLACE.

Like I Mentioned the Balsa would be a cost only (as the basic price per square foot is about one half) By the way have you ever seen or done any real world testing of various Core materials? I could go on for a few pages about this .But I will cut it short! On a Localized Impact Balsa transfers the Load to the Inside skin Then the Excitement Begins While the Two I mentioned Do not (which would you prefer) Also a Little thing like Obeying Hooks Law, Where as in Bending at the point of Yield they act like Steel .

Imagine a Graph where the loading is Vertical the Balsa at the point of Yield would stop with a big” X”-Failure, while the Core Cell /Airex would continue to Support the Load But Yielding And a Horizontal line would be the result But no failure. You see the cell Structure can be deformed and Rebound while Wood can make no such Claim,

Bonding /Peel Strength Com’ On Nothing is Higher than Airex, Core cell is next.



They are Plastics and Cousins of the Resin Systems in common use today. Posses a great Affinity for one another.

I am responding to this “Only” Because you posted it----The Awards--- Any UIM wins? Also How about Design, Engineering, or Boatbuilding? That would be more to the Point or Pertinent would it not? The above also I Respect.


Best Regards

Steve, I will not argue which core is superior, simply because I haven't dealt with foam cores personally. Have I put balsa through some tests? Well yes. The layup on the bottom of my 13' Mini Offshore is 3/4oz mat 2-1708 Bi-Directional Cloth, 3/4 oz mat 1/2" Baltek Balsa, 2-1708 Bi-Directional Cloth. The sides are only 3/4oz mat and 1-1708. All hand laid with Vinyl Ester Resin but not Vac. Bagged. Ask anyone that knows me, this boat has gone through it all. 90 mile+ Offshore Poker Runs. I am very satisfied with the core. I've had no failures with it. As for the exact reason why this company chose Balsa over Foam? I simply don't know. I see alot of Honeycomb composite in their shop as well. Nice stuff. I don't know where they're using it though. As far as other awards? Not much UIM Racing in the States. They have had several writes ups and boat tests in major magazines. As far as other awards? How often does a small custom boat builder get any kind of recognition really??? Awards, alot of times go to those that spend alot of $$$ in advertising. It's simply bought alot of times. When was the last time you read a BAD BOAT TEST in any magazine??? Not looking for an arguement on that, that's just my opinion...Someday, I myself may have to try the foam cores. Right now I can say I am satisfied...Thank you for your input Steve...:cool: If you want to see what my boats have gone through, click on Big Air Shots at: WWW.SHARKEYMARINE.COM

Sharkey
Would this boat be built by a cat builder name Jack? ;)

Balsa went by the way of Steam ships and the dodo birds.

I have seen rotten balsa many times and it's no fun fixing the problem. The stuff soaks up water like a sponge.

New technology in the foams is the only way to go.

Sharkey Hey not trying to rain on your Parade But! Nice picture Balanced laminates across a ½ “Core .My point is with Balsa One has to be Very Very conscious Of the Moment of Inertia (Like extra Glass you want to keep that number very Large) While Us guys Using The “Ductile” Plastic core (not the right word exactly but close enough) we are free to Build to the “Apparent Moment” Akin to Lexan Engineering! Example Years and Years Ago in one of my Lines I used to build a Light shallow water fishing boat. For some of the Florida Keys Guides the first Problem in that it was the abuse the Hull had to take from hitting the Bottom 260 Days a Year. Second Problem was the complete boat had to be very Light, For Poling

Answer Gelcoat-3/4 oz- Bagged 1-1708-1"Airex-Bagged 1-1708 inside, 3 Stringers Also Bagged in Place Simple but still around today The Computer said 48 MPH with 90 HP we ran 54 MPH with a 70 at Full Load.

The Very first Class One Boat I built using a similar Mentality is still around in Japan somewhere after maybe more than a 125 Races, Here in the States. My Race,Fishing,Patrol Boats Another Story. Nice job on Your Web Site!

Best Regards

:eek: :eek: :eek: Oh My God!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: STEVE??? Are you the same guy I worked with in Florida building a one off for Gazell? Cheetah Cat he called it. 35 or 36 ft cat that when I walked into your shop and lifted the boat off the blocks with my bare hands... Is this you??? If so? How the hell are ya? That cat won the World's with a pair of stock 200's. Very impressive for the first time out with that boat... :cool:

LOL Sharkey (I Shoulda Recognized the name) Yes it is. And how have you been? It was a real Pleasure working with You And Doug; you two guys go in my Book as the most Talented People I have ever worked with. And I have been around the World.

Best Regards

Good to talk with you again!!! Damn this internet tool is great!!! I always wondered where that hull ended up. I knew it went to Dubai or some place but never seen it since. That had to be the first boat I broke 110mph with. Bill and I took it out one day with twin EFI's and that boat hauled ass. He ended up going with triples not because the boat needed the power, he needed another skeg in the water because of how high that boat ran. :eek: Still using them "Water Bottles" for the Vacuum Bagging"?:D You certainly got some trick stuff going on there!!! You were the only one that ever came to mind whenever anyone asked me about foam coring. I would always fall back on your shop and and your techniques. And of course how I lifted that boat by myself.:D :D :D We should have gotten a picture of that! I'll keep you posted on this latest project. Should be quite interesting...;).....Brakeless, Wood only rots if it gets wet. Sure if it is not protected properly it will rot. I personally use Vinyl Ester because of its capability of keeping things water tight. My hull was built in 1991. Many times sat with water in it. Today it is still as dry as it was when I put it in. It's the matter of taking the time to seal anything and everthing if you drill any holes......MJUWalters;)

WOW, looks like a long lost buddy thing...just curious sharkey, what ever happened to Gazell, both Bill and Warren?

Last I heard, they were heading to FL to start some developing. Haven't seen them for some time now, so I guess that is where they're at...:confused:

You are right Sharkey Everything relates to shop Practices! As for The Cheetah Alpha Boat Good ole Mr. Gazelle sold it to the Arabs Neglecting to pay me per Agreement. Then as a further Insult He even tried to claim my Award for the Design. Anyway I wound up in the Middle East Building Race boats and Later Gun/Patrol Boats and Built the Largest boat Company in Kuwait. Oh the Momma Cheetah 2 Years Undefeated “S” the finial Straw was Humiliating Buzzi in the 1994 UIM Worlds Abu Dhabi The UIM (A code name for the Buzzi club)then passed an edict ( that is what communist dictators do) that all “S” Class 6 Liter shall be no longer that 10 Meters!! making Offshore boats Shorter ?? not a real clever move on their part I was 11 Meters Anyway by now there was 8 of my One Off Cheetah Cats and 30 of my Falcon Gunboats on the Arabian Gulf shooting bad Guys on a Daily Basis

Best Regards

Steve1, are you still building these things? Where can we see one, or more? Where's your shop?

Whatdoin You know I haven’t thought about Building any more Cheetahs until Now! I have Video and Pictures that need unpacking .Ill get some to you if you like.

Sharkey I just bought myself a gift a Venus System one. I feel like a kid with a new toy.

Best Regards

:mad: :mad: :mad: Sorry to hear about the situation with Bill.:mad: :mad: Hey, when you get those pics out, email them up to me. I would love to see them. Good luck with the new toy!;) :D

Steve1, do you have a website??
Thanks

Cowisi no website yet (your inquiry has given it birth) Ill keep the Board posted as I Build it Mr. Sharkey will get the first Link .Thanks And Best Regards

Sounds like a plan Steve!!! No doubt I will shamelessly plug it too!!! With the designs and layup procedures you utilize, it should not be kept a secret. Hope to see another Race Boat come out of your shop that ran like that CHEETAH real soon!:cool:

Steve 1
 

That must be the boat Bill was talking about building at the Racers party in Virginia Beach In 91(I think),was talking to Bob Shug who had an intrest in one.Something about building panels to mak a proto.Is that possible?Said he was going to sell the Skater and run the B class boat untill the new one was built.

Lonnie:cool:

Racemore
Panels are about the quickest way to come up with a workable Plug or Running Boat.
The main reason is that you wind up with finished sides and bottom. The glasswork in the Keel and Chine’s is no big deal. In two of my shops I had Glass Tables for exactly that. The Cheetah Race Boat On the other hand was done on a Simple Wooden Male Mold in a more traditional One-Off Method and Painted .I have a lot of Pictures of it somewhere. In the various stages

Best Regards

Steve 1
 

I wasn't much on the idea,may be for one off innerliners or decks.Did the Cobra shake out of this someway? I didn't race the following year but heard something like that.Anyway sounds like a good boat.I know pretty much what it takes to build the plugs for an Offshore boat. My buddy Jack built a 35FT cat from wood plugs to molds to raceboat in a year. 35ft Prostock,trip 2.5's with canopies called Full Throttle.He now builds Boats for the Super Stock and Outboad drag along with Pleasure versions.Dominated SS last year and should do the same this year.The new Unlimited Dragboat will be spashed for the first time in the 1st Apba race next month.Double bad! Check it out sometime at

www.fullthrottlepowerboats.com

Have a Happy Easter, Lonnie :)

PS tried the url and it won't come up,typed it in myself and had no problem.:confused: :rolleyes: :D

http://www.fullthrottlepowerboats.com/

there ya go . . try that that one . . . .i been follow'n this thread . . . be'n a glassman i just love read'n about this kind of stuff . . . . . keep it come'n . . :D :cool: :D :cool:

Racemore Thanks I checked out the link
Funny you mentioned Cobra saw a few of their Boats when I got to Kuwait. And I heard some stories that bothered me. But there was or is no connection between us, ever! Hell we are All American Boat builders and I wish them well. End of tale.But Buzzi another story one day


Best Regards

glassdave
Man I saw some of the pictures you posted, Real nice work!
Best Regards

Steve & Cobra??? Ha ha ha,:D :D :D These two companies are far from being from the same mold.:D I have to say Steve is brilliant with the techniques he has mastered on how a boat is to be built. When I first saw the Cheetah, I must admit, I didn't think it would last long. Now here we are 2002 and the boat is still intact and has dominated it's class. Cobras? Let's just say it's very different. I rigged a few of the Cobras and they weren't anything of the Cheetah calibur. :eek:

Thanks for the replies guys,Must have been the Cobra that was the panel plug.I have seen a couple and they didn't impress me to much.Don't think I have seen a Cheetah.I can't understand why it isn't being built.There will always be a demand for fast quality boats.Where are the pic's you posted Dave,gota check them out.

Have a great day,Lonnie

Thanks Sharkey!
Back then there seemed to be a Play of Words. Some people bought Boats that were not quite what they wanted, or were told they were. Upon my Arrival There were still some upset People! but by then the Truth was known, And then the Fun began Cheetah #8 was Built in a 2nd story Loft of a factory outside Kuwait City we had the first National Race coming that spring since the gulf War Built Rigged Painted Test ran the engines (Hand carried up the stairs) Hired some Iranians to cut open the roof, Picked the boat up with a crane and went testing then won the Kuwait Race. (The cobras were in the back somewhere)

Sharkey your Website is Amazing to say the Least

Best Regards

:D :D :D Starting to look like a pattern here Steve...:D You somehow always get creative with putting a boat out at the last minute and it wins the race!!!:cool: I was asked to come to Cobra to mold the canopies into those boats that were being shipped over there. I made the smart move of staying away. The quality was not up to par enough that I would want my name on it. I take it they didn't do very well over there???:confused: Thanks for the comps on my site. It all started out by just trying to sell my boat molds and then it evolved from there. I got more into finding other people's sites and am trying to help out our other fellow boaters by setting up the LINKS. ;)

racemore- heres the thread that i put the boat pics on, they are on the first page and i think i put a couple of cars i did on the last page to. :D :cool:

this thread is turn'n into quite a little history lesson . . . pretty cool . . . . :cool: :cool:


link to thread

Sharkey here Is an oldie Playing with the Sheiks "M" boats

Best Regards

glassdave
 

Thats 1st class work dude and alot of it on a 39ft boat.Big canvas.

Sharkey here is the #8 Boat It is a little more creative those are Cockpit adjustable Canards
This One was a Low Volume Build! Like when a truck speeds past you on a Highway the Air blast that rocks you is created mostly by the Volume of the Vehicle I was trying to make an advantage with that Also the speed shape and etc are a Component in this forgive the paint as I had to make a Race.

Best Regards

Ah yes...there is the old Cheetah looking good as ever. What was the length and weight of #8??? I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to be in front of that boat. Those sponsons couldn't be any sharper!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: STEVE , Hopefully you have know plans on May 18th & 19th . SKATERFEST Will be held at Doug's place in Brick, NJ. They are looking for a few expert boat builders to come and give some input. Doug I'm sure would be glad to see ya! Think you could make it???:cool:

Man that sounds like a deal Thanks for the Invite Sharkey!!8 weighed @ 1250 Kilograms complete with some Fuel, I added 300 or so Down low and Outboard as much as possible to make the UIM Weight break and put the CG down By the Chine .Just starting to really dial it in, When A Friend was killed right in front of me at a Race while driving a POS Buzzi RIB Man! Took it all out of me . Shipped 8 back home! I threw a cover over it and left it in a shed in the Desert for 3 years. Now the Patrol boat Line gets started and another story.

:( Sorry to hear of your loss STEVE:( I'm sure your friend would want you to continue with what you do best. That is improve the safety of hi-performance powerboats just simply by building a better boat as an option for the racer. You build, they will come...;) Hope you can make the event...:)

Ditto

SKATERFEST is really coming along and will be here before we know it. For the latest info click here:SKATERFEST