Boat Builder Central

Thanks for the comments The kid is pretty smart and it will be tethered to me via the cleats with a long rope contraption I made. Pretty much leaving it at idle and let him putt putt around until he gets a hang of it. I still need to modify the exhaust a bit, fix a leak where the jet drive seals to ...

I had a devil of a time getting the RC boat engine to start. Apparently these finicky little engine require a precise starting sequence or forget it. No choke, very little prime, cover the velocity stack with your hand and slowly pull though once. Then 1/4 throttle and a tiny shot of starting fliud ...

Hooked up the 2.5L fuel tank to a shutoff valve and fuel filter IMG_2728.jpg Then hooked the whole mess up to the carburetor. The other yellow fuel line is for the primer bulb overflow. Just an old 35mm film case with an inlet nipple added on top. If it doesnt storm tomorrow, we will try to fire thi...

Forgot this pix.
Installed the dash cover, easlily removed for steering maintenance if required.

Ran the throttle cable through the bulkhead and connected to the engine. Works great with full range of throttle movement. Hooked up the dash mounted kill switch to the engine. The line was hidden through the dash and under the floor months ago. IMG_2711.jpg The fuel tank finally arrived and dry fit...

Redesigned the throttle assembly as the cheap Chinese twist grip throttle broke the first time I used it. So I bought a heavy duty lawn tractor hand throttle and made a wood housing covered with epoxy resin. IMG_2703.jpg Dug out enough wood so the throttle can sit flush with a dremel IMG_2704.jpg Sc...

Put the boat back in the pool with the kid onboard and 16 lbs of aft ballast. Yes that makes a lot of difference in how the boat sits in the water. I think im going to use exercise ankle weights that would be easily removed once the kid gets heavier. When you add the 6 lbs for fuel and tank, it shou...

Back from a trip for a couple of days then back out again for a while.
Drilled the hole in the transom for the water cooling inlet And attached the supply line Hooked up all the cooling supply and exhaust lines

You guys are too kind.

Just a grandpa spoiling his only grandson.

Today I hooked up all the water cooling plumbing and drilled the holes for the inlets and exhaust. Still need to install the gas tank and lines and kill switch. Had to completley redesign the throttle. The cheap Chinese knock off twist grip snapped in half the first time I used it. So bought a large...