Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

Is there any on-line guidance on how to retrofit a pad to an existing v-hull? I'm a good fabricator - lots of one-off work - so I'm not worried about the structural issues. I'd just like to find some common sense guidance or rules of thumb to design and retrofit pads.

Thanks...Steve.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

Sun pad, bottom pad, or girlie pad???

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

If your thinking bottom pad - it'd be easier to install a helicopter pad.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

hmmmm hari kiri is easier and will produce faster results

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

the rule is its like ur women if you don,t like her bottom then its time to upgrade to one u do like..... other wise you will kill the resale value if you start grinding and glassing .....u can also create one ill handling beast that behaves badly.....or at best is unpredictable

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

Bare in mind I am NOT a boat builder - I'm more of a marine demolition specialist. :D

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

i vote for helipad..... :D :D or a launch pad!! :eek:

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

Welcome ABOARD!

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

" Speed Rails" ,about the same idea,appears easy to install and you could take them off easy enough.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

doesnt legend have it that Reggie attached a pad of his own design to the bottom of some Excaliber molds that he bought to create the first Fountain.......??

somebody around here should know this.............doug

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

then he glued the beak to the front....

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

Been there done that i may even have a picture to prove it I added a pad to the bottom of a step boat once was very incognito, unfortunately it was never really given time to test to it's maximum ability. This boat was already running over 100 mph and it didn't really add what i had hoped, I am a lover of the Steve Stepp Velocity bottom which i could be wrong but i beleive influenced the reggie boat. used to have a 32 velocity with 454 mags (carb) 350 propshaft HP ea. I ran that boat in the shootout with some over the hub Chopper props from a friend s outboard boat, was a little weird to get on plane but ran 80 MPH flat on Radar.. let me know what other v pad or not has done that. Let me know what type of boat you have and what the bottom looks like now to ponder thoughts of wether or not it would be a good idea. i will look for some pics if i can find time. the pad will raise the boat higher in the water helping reduce drag from the hull and drives, In closing sounds like a great idea to me.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

The pad on my 1984 Excalibur (an early reggie pad) is more or less like whacking off the bottom of the v. So just take your boat off the trailer and drag it around the parking lot a few times and then smooth it out with a DA! :drink:

But seriously, its alittle bit of cutting the tip off the V and adding a little also.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

I think that You need a twin engine for best results so you don't 'fall off' the pad chine walking.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

So, did you get your answer? ;)

I don't know either.

Re: Retrofitting a pad to an existing hull...
 

That's the trick learning how to drive by the feel so you can stay on the pad and pass people. Cobra marty if you could give me a number i would like to talk with you about your boat and dyno, i am working on a single engine 30' cat of my own design now, wondering what power and performance you are getting. Also if you cut off the vee you are esseentially sticking the drives deeper in the water. I went for a ride with Steve Stepp once in a 32' Velocity and i thought i knew how to drive but when it fell off the pad i was steering with it causing it to chine. You need to feel the boat with your butt in the bolster then steer to keep it feeling right. once i figured it out it is fast and you can go over cross wakes totally flat if your steer [properly, full hydraulic steering a must.