Original Center Console Boat?

[GoneFission]

Here's a picture of the Scop Cruiser, probably the original Center Console, from 1952.  These were made by Fred Scopinich, Sr. and provided the basis for the first Aquasports that were built from wood and shown in the 1958 New York Boat Show.  

The Scop Cruiser was (guess what) 22 feet long and powered by a six cylinder Gray Marine inboard.  Six were built for the Douglaston Yacht Club for tender use, and Fred Sr. built others on an order basis.  Look carefully and you might see some Aquasport lines in the Scop Cruiser.  



Sorry about the line through the photo, but that's where the magazine folded...  There is a high-resolution scan in the Gallery:
  http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... photo/1865

See ya on the water!

[Rayos]

Cool to see.  I see some similarities.

[JimCt]

A fair match to this hull too:

[GoneFission]

But at 80 feet, 56 tons, and 3600-4500 HP, I don't think the Patrol Torpedo is in the same class as the 22-2...    

[JimCt]

Very true, but to my eye the lines of the hulls share more than a few of the same genetic markers.  Crop out everything above the shear lines and look again.  The stem profile and camber of the shear are darned near spot-on.

The flatbacks, especially, had that "look".

Capt Flatback's gem:


Gov't version:


No denying Fred Scopinich understood his business.  Since one of the fastest and most proven "small" boat designs to come out of the war years was the MTB, it follows that Fred would have incorporated a measure of that knowlege into  the Scop.

Fred knew the need for speed... and how to achieve it.  For at least two of his customers, it was all business:
http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/ ... 4308.story

[GoneFission]

You know, if you think about it, the hull shape is somewhat driven by the material and the needed performance characteristics, regardless of size.  If you are going to build a planing hull out of plywood, there are only so many variables you can use.  You can't do compound curves with plywood, and you will generally get a hard chine and transom.  The chine/shear will need to rise up to the bow toward the front for the V, and a deep-V is unlikely, because plywood is hard to bend that far.  So a semi-V with a hard chine and a fairly square transom is what plywood does best, both in buildability and performance.  A zero or small deadrise works better with plywood and will make the hull easier to plane and go faster.  

If you want a wood deep-V with a big compound flare in the bow, you have to plank it - structural plywood won't bend like that.  Excellent examples are the differences between the old Chris-Craft Constellations and wood Commanders with planked deep-Vs and big flared bows, and the wood Cavaliers of the same sizes that were plywood semi-Vs.  

These factors would apply as much to a 22' center console as a 80' Patrol Torpedo.  So it makes sense that the Scop Cruiser and the PT share some common lines and characteristics - they are both plywood planing hulls built for speed and efficiency.  Anyway, that's my $0.02...

[JimCt]

Certainly agree about plywood construction.  There was only so much shaping that could be done within budget.  Just before the transition to the open possibilities of molded glass hulls there were several manufacturers who got into molded plywood.  Designs could be more radical and considerably stronger without the weight of plank on frame.  When glass molding hit the marine fan,  anything became possible.  Makes you wonder what the Scop Cruiser would have looked like if Fred Sr. had a glass shop.

[GoneFission]

OK, so here's my Patrol Torpedo Aquasport at work:



Not an open ocean shot, but I liked how there was a similarity to Jim's PT boat at speed...  Kinda blurry and all...

Here are a couple that are a little more in focus:





See ya on the water!

[JimCt]

Great shots!!!  Nice to see some action pictures on these pages.   Hopefully these will chum the waters and get some more pictures from the rest of the gang.

[John Jones]

My arms aren't long enough to take a running shot...

[JimCt]

Maybe when all you Fl guys get together for the shindig you can get some pictures then.

[warthog5]

John Jones  Look at the link of the pix you posted in your PhotoBucket account.

Look under the pix. There are 3 lines with the link.

Copy & paste the bottom one [3rd one down] on the forum page and it will display the pix, unstead of the link.