Tiny Speedboat Build

[Jetdriver69]

I was asked to use it as a mold previously but too much of a PITA.

Its definitely a one off.

I'm actually working so no posts for a couple of days but I have lots of pictures left.

I'm just about ready to hook up the engine controls and stick it in the pool so the post pictures are months behind.

[Browndog]

Fun build thread to follow.

Well done!

Building a boat, especially one that will likely be outgrown, for a family member is really a gift of love and labor. Creating something unique and building lasting memories along the way for both you and them.

Documenting it for the forum is a gift to all of us. Thank you.

I can imagine already an RB 16 in the future for when the little guy gets a little bigger.

[Jetdriver69]

I actually like the Glen L Dynojet.
Stitch n glue construction mated to a recycled jet ski motor and drive.
But that’s way off.

[Jetdriver69]

Dry fitting jet drive steering

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I finished the motor mount. Then will coat with epoxy resin and paint blue.

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I replaced the 3D printed impeller with metal version.
Supposedly it is much more efficient.

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[Jetdriver69]

After adding thickened epoxy to all the interior joints and fiberglassing the interior foam with epoxy and 6 ounce boat cloth, I dry fitted the cockpit interior panels to hide it all.
Eventually I will fill the voids with expanding foam and fiberglass all the exposed wood.

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[Jetdriver69]

Screwed down the decking and attached the instrument panel and windscreen frame.

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Filled in all the screw holes with thickened epoxy and spread a layer of epoxy over the deck and sides.

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[Jetdriver69]

Spreading the first layer of 6 oz boat cloth.

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Didn't have enought left on the roll so I had to patch it.

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Layer of 4 oz boat cloth.

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After multiple coats of epoxy resin and trimming the excess cloth. That stuff is messy but at least it doesnt stink.

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After letting the epoxy cure for 3 days, a good sanding with 60-80 grit.

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[Jetdriver69]

The finished motor mount plate. That just gets screwed and glued into the wood/fiberglass floor.
The blue boxy looking thing is a route for the the sterring cable

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The 3D printed 70mm jetdrive and steering. Surprising good quality coming from China.

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The steering system I came up with.
Eseentially a 1/4 inch steel cable inside a lubed clear tube.

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The cable ends have eyes attached which connect to RC boat push/pull rods.
I made a 1/4 wood circle which routes the cable into the sidewalls and secures it in place with zip ties.

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Surprising it works really well and infinetly cheaper than trying to source a correct length boat steering cable.

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[Jetdriver69]

Routing the steering cable, throttle cable and kill switch cable down through the sidewall and back through the rear bulkhead to the engine bay.

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Eventually I will cover the voids with fiberglassed plywood to hide everything, glass some thin plywood onto the foam walls for better puncture protection and shoot expanding foam in the dead spaces.

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That liitle box on top of the glare shield was supposed to be a housing for a 2 stroke tach, but the cable was just too short to make it back to the engine.
So I eventually moved it to the engine bay. Like a 3 year old is going to watch rpms anyway.

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[Jetdriver69]

Starting the deck fiberglassing.

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I spread a layer of epoxy resin over the raw wood to encapsulate then put 4 oz boat cloth over that.

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After letting it cure for a couple of hours, I trimmed the cloth at the tape lines and let it sit for 3 days.

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Not a great picture, but fiberglassing the transom. I later trimmed at the tape lines which were the overlap from the hull fiberglassing.
Actually came out decent for my first time at fiberglassing until I discovered how much sanding, void repairs and filling was later to come.

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