project started

[LilRichard]

Yup, exactly the same thoughts I have (for both the rail and the cashflow).  Although I just constantly feel broke right now  :evil:

Tank, glass, motor, rigging, more glass, ugh.

 :)

[John Jones]

I kept all my receipts, even for screws.  I started adding them up one day, then quit.  I didn't want to know  :cry:

[71flatback]

I bought a half tower for the boat. I wasn't even looking for one but found a deal that couldn't be passed up. i'll have pic tomarrow or so

[LilRichard]

Where?  Are there more such deals?

 :afro:

[71flatback]

No i bought the tower from a guy that had never used it and needed the money bad. It had been sittin in his yard for a while but is still in good condition. It had been painted so i am gonna get it sandblasted and powdercoated eventually.

[71flatback]

well i got my little box tunnel glassed in on the inside, still have to glass to bottom underneath. I also got a pic of the tower i picked up a while back

[RickK]

You don't want to show your handywork?

[71flatback]

Didn't have a camera with me

[LilRichard]

I am really interested to see your design!  Pictures!

[71flatback]

This is what the box tunnel's gonna look like. Still have to glass it to the bottom. the pics aren't the best had to take them on my phone.

inside the boat


outside the boat

[LilRichard]

So - and this is not a loaded question - but what will that do to the ride of the hull?  Tracking?

I am ignorant to tunnels in their entirety.

[71flatback]

Tracking and ride shouln't be effected. From my understanding, the square corner in the front creates an air pocket, which directs the water off the botom upward to the motor which can now sit 4" higher. It doesn't seem like it would work, but i've rode in quite a few boats with them and they're awesome. the dimensions of this one are similar to the tunnel that comes in a 22' pathfinder.

[slippery73]

I would make sure you round all of the square corners in your pocket very well, not just 3/4" fillets either, I mean large rounded edges. Square edges aren't to great when it comes to tunnels. It will create large amounts of turbulence and cause major cavitation or prop slip from the "dirty water." Think of a wind tunnel and an airplane wing, now think of a airplane wing with a flat front edge, the air will not flow smoothly over the wing. Same concept with water. I think it would work fine if it is radiused and filled properly.  Just think 3" diameter pipe in the corners. This looks more like a stepped pocket drive rather than a tunnel, those do have square edges but are a bit different in design. Heres a link showing a tunnel hull build with some good pics.

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php ... ght=tunnel

[71flatback]

I'm not sure what the real name of these things are. Around here most of the fishermaen call them bubble boxes. I was thinking the same thing about th cavitation when i saw the first one built. I'll have to take a few pic of them in boats that run everyday. They seem to work well and they all have the square edges. I'm not trying to argue. You guys know more about boats than me. Thanks for the links.

[RickK]

http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php ... ght=tunnel

I like the pic of the boat cruising in water that is ankle deep on the kid.  That baby will get skinny. :twisted: