Rescue Minor

[Greno]

I hate to ask, but being in Mobile, you have a local source for good cypress?

Eric

[Steve Day]

I haven't seen or worked with the cypress yet, but I will let you know how good the source is after we get it and make a few frames.

Wally didn't get it the other day due to rain and work priorities.

Steve

[Steve Day]

A little update on the progress toward actually getting a build going.

Wally and I met out at his house Tuesday evening and went over the plans again and took off some quantities for ordering. As a result of that meeting, we have ordered the plywood, the fasteners, and the epoxy.

The cypress is in hand and looks pretty good. Nice grain structure and straight. Wally found out that the place he got the wood from deals in truckload lots. We are too small for him to fool with under normal circumstances. We were able to get our wood, but I think this is a "one time" deal.

All of the other stuff is supposed to arrive here next week, so we are about to actually get started. We will probably start to cut frames early next week. As things get going, we will send photos.

We are starting the search for an engine and have found a couple of candidates on E-Bay. Not real good candidates, but we are getting a feel for the market.

We're starting to get a little "pumped up" about this build. It has been too long without a building project. My last one was the Diva II kayak about two years ago. 

Steve

[Tom Lathrop]

The whole engine part is of significant interest to me.  the entire cost of engine, tranny, water lift muffler etc...

I worry the propulsion will outstrip the hull cost.

It usually does with a home built boat.  Engine costs were higher than the materials costs of my last two powerboats.  That was true of the last one even though it was an older outboard engine.  I include engine controls, steering, battery and fuel system with the engine cost.

[sscoville]

I spoke briefly with a Beta Marine rep in N.C. about a Beta 20 and estimated the total package, including prop, would run about $6,800.00.

[sscoville]

If I even understood Robb White's set up on his I might take a stab at it.  Hell, for that kind of money I might just educate myself.

http://www.robbwhite.com/rescue.minor.machinery.html

[Tom Lathrop]

Many have discussed an outboard on an Atkin tunnel such as rescue Minor.  One issue is matching a prop and drive to the inboard location.  It would have to be sealed to operate properly in a tunnel.  Perhaps a Sail Drive unit might be a better fit.

[PAR]

I guess it boils down to fabricators like me and those you wish to drop in an engine/transmission and call it done.

I recently installed an electric start 5, HP air cooled Hatz diesel in a small sailboat as it's inboard. Yes, it's a bit noisy as it's air cooled and the exhaust will likely be changed to wet, because it's gets ungodly hot, but the engine costs $2,000. A similar 10 HP wouldn't be all that much more, certainly less then the typical choices used in boats.

On the other hand, there are all small water cooled diesels too. Even Brigs and Stratton has some, fully self contained, radiator and all. A 20 HP for $5,400. If you look around you can find all kinds of engines suitable for converting to marine use, but then again you have to feel fairly comfortable applying shielding, vent loops, vapor returns, etc. to insure some durability on these odd ball conversions.

A sail drive is an interesting idea that has been banted around in other discussions on this hull form. I think it has some merit on larger craft, but not Rescue Minor size boats. A kitchen rudder may be an option to improve helm response over the dismal straight shaft maneuvering qualities, with the added benefit of providing reverse gear as well.

Steve look into the Brigs & Stratton Vanguard 3 cylinder diesels.

Water cooled exhaust isn't that big a deal, nor does it have to be especially costly. In the current market you should able to get things at half price or better, because a sale at half price is better then none at all.

[Steve Day]

Hey Guys,

Getting back to the original idea of this post, we received the plywood and epoxy orders Friday. Now we have no excuses to put the build off any longer. Not a bad response from World Panel Products and Raka. I ordered both on Wednesday and we had them Friday.

More to come on the build as we get started.

We are working on the engine system as we get started. I will share your comments with Wally and we will include them in the considerations for powering the boat. I don't think Robb White's drive design will be in the plans for our boat (Too "Rube Goldberg" for us).

More to come as we get going,

Steve

[Kudzu]

Steve, I am watching this with GREAT interest. This boat has fascinated me and has me day dreaming. Of course the cost isn't.

Are you building in the Mobile Area? The local Kayak club has invited me down to give a presentation on my Skin Boats. Will probably do it early winter. If so and you guys are started I would love to see it. This boat REALLY appeals to me.

Jeff

[lbrewer]

Yeah,  I tried to do a google map search for "wally's garage" and it didn't turn up anything definitive.

[Steve Day]

Well. it finally has happened!  :onfire:

I went over to Wally's barn this evening and we started to cut frames for the Rescue Minor. After a bit of uncertainty with angles  :-? on the first frame, we were able to get two cut out. We will continue that process to get all the frames cut and glued together, then position them on the building frame. It will be a while, but we have actually started the process.

For the moment, the location of Wally's barn is classified. However, we will meet someone who would like to visit, blindfold them and take them there to look at the boat under construction.  :lol:  Seriously, when someone would like to visit, they are welcome to drop by. Just let me know and I will give you directions and times to visit.

Steve

[Oyster]

Oh I see Wally's barn with my new and enhancing telescope. :joker:

I did edit out of the still shot the waitresses leaving though. Please detail your work on a new thread. We would like to see your process and look foward to your launching before long.

[Oyster]

Are you done yet? I found this one thats just hit the water. I don't have any details yet.

[Steve Day]

I like the looks of that one!

We haven't spent as much time on the boat as we would like. We have all of the frames and gussets cut and got two frames epoxied together this evening.

I have a couple of pictures, but don't have formatting software on this computer yet. I will start another thread and post the photos soon.

We have both agreed to up the priority on the boat. Hopefully, we can get a bit more done soon. I have been spending a lot of time working on the big boat as I am replacing the Lexan in all of the hatches on her.

Steve