My "old" OPC

[forresterace]

My "old" OPC

OK here she is - I designed and built it about ten years ago.

It is 23" long , is WOF (wood on foam) construction and originally ran with an Astro 05 cobalt, belt reduced on a severely lightened K&B lower leg - on 12 cells. It was eventually changed to a direct drive Astro 25 on the same lower leg.

 

[forresterace]

Re:My "old" OPC

Picture #2

 

[forresterace]

Re:My "old" OPC

Next picture

 

[Dennis Whitt]

Re:My "old" OPC

That is a very nice hull.It looks brand new!

 

[forresterace]

Re:My "old" OPC

Last shot

 

[Dan Chase]

Re:My "old" OPC

Nice looking tunnel, Doug! What did you make the cowl out of?

 

[forresterace]

Re:My "old" OPC

Dan

The removable top cowl as well as the nose started out as solid balsa blocks. They were then rough-shaped with the bandsaw and then carved and Dremel/hand sanded to final shape. Then the outside surfaces were covered with glass cloth/epoxy (5 oz cloth). Then I got hold of the largest carbide ball bit to fit the Dremel, went outside and created some serious balsa dust from the insides. I probably took 90% of the wood out. You can hear a very recognizable sound when the bit touches the epoxyglass so it's fairly easy to avoid making any unecessary holes

The rest, as they say, is history ;D

 

[Kris Flynn]

Re:My "old" OPC

Hey Doug...looks pretty damm nice!! thats cowl looks low but also sleek ;D

I second Dennis on the hull looking new also...it has been keep in good condition!

May i ask, how much does it weigh...as it is now with some gear in it, or the bare hull? Did you design it all yourself, or did you work from plans?

Kris

 

[forresterace]

Re:My "old" OPC

Kris

As it sits in the photo, it weighs 1 lb. 8 oz. (not what I would call particularly light). It was raced in the mid nineties and then several years ago it changed hands again. The new owner repainted it as you now see it, but did not race/run it much. We have had no OPC class activity locally for many years. This is why it looks new.

I designed it from scratch but after several modifications I decided that if I was to build another I would make some basic design alterations. I have learned quite a bit in the last ten years. I'm also sure that I could build another one significantly lighter.

It has been added to my list of future projects and would give me the opportunity to develop a CF lower unit that has been on my mind for a long time.

 

[Kris Flynn]

Re:My "old" OPC

Well it is definately very nice...

I just realised what using wood thats too thin does...i was trying to fill the gaps in a small electric tunnel (20" long) and the wood was just too warped and had a few big low spots...suppose i will have to use thicker balsa from now on...

Tha CF lower would be good if you were going to reproduce it

how would you make the plug (if you had the time)/ carve and sand balsa/foam to shape?

Kris

 

[Kris Flynn]

Re:My "old" OPC

Hey Doug, just wondering wqhen you think you might have a chance to get the boat out for a new test?

Cant remember if you mentioned what motor/lower combo you were going to run on it?

Kris

Gotta keep that OB talk up the top of the board