Project Prather

[Warren]

DoubleDog. The prather is a Fine Sport boat. But I will tell you a little I have learned trying to convert sub surface boats to SURFACE Drive. The OLDER SUB Surface boat had a long wetting surface on the bottom of the boat. 5-6 inches in front of the CG. The new style Surface drive hulls only have a wetting surface 1-2 inches in front of the CG. Take a ruler or straight edge measure from the transom along the side of the center bottom of the hull towards the front of the boat. Look to see where the breaking point is. (Breaking Point) This will be where the boat is no longer is flat and starts breaking (curving towards the front nose of the boat) if the breaking point is 4-5-6 inches in front of the CG of the the hull. It will perform better as a sub surface. The Old C/G will normally be about where the front of the flywheel was when the engine was mounted. Most current Surface hulls are 2-3 inches in front of the C.G. When the boat is Hauling This is the Pivot point or the steer point of the hull. Hope this helps. I have converted many both ways.

 

[Doubledog]

Been terribly busy at work coming close to the end of the fiscal year.........

Checked the thread and tried to let all the good info sink in. Maybe I'll try it as a subsurf drive like Warren is talking about. Never hurts. Heck, Just have to remove the radio box and hdwr is all.

Thanks for the pointers on the throttle settings. Hard way to find out when you get to the lake.

Still have to wait for the starter, nitro and glow driver to come in before even thinking about seeing how it sounds. :

Btw, I'm in germany, but the US Post Office delivers same like in the states so I'll be checking on that teflon . Done business with areomarine before with the gas boat. ;D

 

[Doubledog]

Got to work on it today and have questions.

I have shaft log and teflon tube as in the picture. Do I need to run another tube over that brass log and then glass them in to the hull? (notice second photo to come)

View attachment 524

 

[Doubledog]

Tube in a tube.

This is what just came out.

View attachment 525

 

[Doubledog]

the bottom for now.

We're getting there.

View attachment 526

 

[snowdog-2112]

DD,

If you're waiting on parts to arrive from the states, word is that the power outage caused problems for more than those in the states. Mail is slow getting over here due to backups at ALL facilities...especially the APO at NY. I would guestimate an extra week or two for delivery time.

Snowdog

 

[Propjockey]

Looks like the previous owner used a chainsaw to cut the hole for the shaft log! ;D

Since you are using a teflon liner, I wouldn't worry about a second brass tube...just one more place to leak!

Epoxy what you have into the hull and remember to pull the teflon out occasionally to check for wear.

 

[Doubledog]

Someone mentioned ditching the teflon and going with the size smaller brass.

Thats what I'm waiting on now.

 

[Doubledog]

UPDATE

All is ready to go but the rudder, radio box, and linkages.

WORRY................

Take a look at the length of my strut. This booger is out there. Thats the only strut I had and don't know any better due to this being my first real inboard project boat.

Need some opinions on it up till this point.

View attachment 671

 

[Doubledog]

nutter

View attachment 672

 

[Doubledog]

???

View attachment 673

 

[Propjockey]

Looks good to me, DoubleD! Actually, that strut looks just about right...should give you plenty of adjustment without putting too sharp of a bend in the shaft.

My only concern is the shaft/log should be supported inside the hull close to the flex coupler. If it's just a weee bit off balance or picks up a little harmonic vibration, it's toast!

 

[Doubledog]

Will do !

Thats why I posted, because I knew the help & ideas would come.