ML Boatworks- FCM Lauterbach Picklefork Thunderboat- Drumming up interest thread

[Mike Luszcz]

OK, So many of you know, I have wanted to do a thunderboat for several years, but time, and other projects always got in the way. Recently, When Gary Murcott posted his new Thunderboat design, I was all ears as this is exactly the design I have wanted to do since day one. I wanted something different, something with a pickle, which is something you just don't see due to the IMPBA vs. NAMBA rule differences. I finally came to peace with the fact that a pickle would only work in IMPBA. Namba's loss. Anyways, Gary's thunderboat started life as one of my gas 108 frames, and after 600 hrs of changes/ plugs/ molds (yes, 600hrs), it became the beautiful boat that it is today. It really struck a cord with me, and I knew he just created what was rolling around in my head for quite a while. Well, I contacted Gary about the boat a few weeks back, and asked him if he was going to produce these, and if not, I would love to purchase the molds. He got back with me last week, and we worked out a deal. The molds have not arrived yet, and it will be probably a few weeks before they do as it is a delicate process packing something and shipping from Canada. None the less, we talked and he said why don't you put out feelers to see what kind of interest may be out there in this boat, so that is the reason for this thread. Just so everyone knows, this will be built similarly to how he built the hull, and I hope to even offer some of the decal sets needed for this hull, a couple of those full size boats are posted below that I want to do this for. So, if any of you had interest in this boat, let me know. I would love to just have a rough list to carry forward! If you want to PM me, that is fine. I think this will be a great addition to the current Thunderboats running out there, and I am proud to see this becoming a reality! Thanks for looking, Mike

Here are a couple videos:

 

[Mike Luszcz]

And some pics:

 

[Mike Luszcz]

 

[TheodoreDudley]

I'll take one ASAP. Let me know the cost and shipping date....Thanks Teddy

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks for the post Teddy. I will make sure to contact you as soon as the time comes! Thanks, Mike

 

[Gilbert Pun]

Mike,

This is great to be added into my fleet of thunder boats and gas scale boats.

I guess putting a Quickdraw pioneer engine in would make it fly.

Let me know when you are ready to produce.

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Gilbert, Just out of curiosity, how much was shipping of that Gas scale you got from Don a couple months ago? What carrier did you use to ship? I am interested to see how much it would cost to ship one there.

 

[John Christy]

Mike,

As you know this boat is not legal in namba but will it fill some of the gas scales ?

Thanks

John

 

[Hydro Junkie]

I think, to be eligable to race gas scale, the boat in question had to be an unlimited class boat listed in the Master Hull Roster. What Mike is planning to build looks to be based on the smaller limited class boats which wouldn't be legal for gas scale

 

[Gilbert Pun]

Mike,

The big Gas Scale boat Don sent was using Fedex at US$794 and the other one from Steve G of RCBoatwork for a Gas thunder boat at US$684. They are really very expansive with engine and everything in a big box, if yours can separate into two thinner boxes and send through USPS the total would only be one fourth only.

 

[John Christy]

​Hydro

Thanks

 

[Patrick Mulvany]

Hey Mike,

I talked with Gary when he was building this boat, now are you going to make a wood kit or reproduce the carbon fiber version?? Of course I would love to have one Gary had no intention of mass production but if you will do it for him that would be a great venture! Let me know what you decide on I wouldn't mind building another of your kits..

Later!!

Pat

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Hey Pat, It will be the glass hull and cowls. He is sending the molds this week I believe. More to come soon!

 

[Mike Luszcz]

The molds are getting on the fedex bus today!

 

[Patrick Mulvany]

Mike,

Funny how it's a bunch cheaper in pieces???

Later!!

Pat

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Haha, yep! The tracking shows Friday it will arrive! Getting close!

 

[Mike Luszcz]

I have not opened up the big box with the hull molds, but opened the cowlings up..Everything arrived today. I am going to do some chip repair around the edges, wetsand with 2000 grit, buff it all out, and get some Freecote on there, then I will be ready to do the first one. This thing is gonna be big! More soon, Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

I opened up the box for the hull itself at lunch, and the top and bottom look to already be high polished, and ready for some mold release! Should start a layup in a day or two!

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Molds are all polished up, and ready! I should start laying up the first one this week.

 

[Ray Sametz]

Your right, that's one BIG boat.