Mini-runabouts

[Chick Ludwig]

The Superdink is about 8 Ft. long with a pram bow and semi-v hull form. Seating is for 2 just ahead of the midpoint. Power is 10 hp-25-hp. Intent is for running creeks and small rivers and general messing about. She has remote steering/controls and hopefully electric starting(for us older guys anyhow.) Lots of fun in a small package. The MOST fun is when two or more explore the creeks together.

Is there any interest in building and getting together to use boats like this? My thought is to meet in different places around the area to explore interesting areas. Any small boat up to about 12 ft. with motors in the 15-25 hp range would be included. (Kind of like Puddle Duck Racer for power boats.)

[Chick Ludwig]

Do any of you guys remember these? http://bigfinboats.c...ksboat-is-here/Here are some more cool mini-boats.

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKHs1YPN26Y

[ricknriver]

Hi Chick,. Always wanted to race little runabouts in the past but never got to it as Uncle's Navy kept me pretty busy. Also liked the Merc-cubs (?) it think. Might be fun to do a classy little 2 place creek/river runner. Last year, or year before at B&B messabout, a chap had a little brown I think shelter cabin power cat with 9.9 he designed and built that really ran quick and sweet but forgot to ask around about it this time. Think I may have a picture of it buried some where. Liked that little glass one you had too, but a wood build would be more fun I think and give more options. Something like your super pram or some of the minis in your video with real comfy seats, rolled and pleated of course :-). Not for racing, just comfy play cruising. Like 4-banger T-buckets/MGs/Healys/etc. on the water. 15-25 hp stock should keep things fun and sane and focus on design. A quick little electric would really be sweet if the technology were there. Anyway, I'm interested. Want to play before I get tooooo much older :-). R

[ricknriver]

Here is that quick little cat. Kind of like a PD Racer on fuel. R

[Chick Ludwig]

There used to be several types of these little runabouts around before the jet skis became popular. I had fun over the years with some of them. when I was a teen, my dad brought home a Volksboat that I had for several years. Then I got into racing in BSR in the APBA. These were actual race boats--not playboats. later I had a mold for a Flivver boat and built a few of them; some with remote steering, Then more recently, we had the little runabouts like my blue one. Check out Flivvers, and Stock outboard racing on U-tube. And Volksboats on Google search.

Actually, I've seen videos of the inflatable cats you mentioned. With a little encouragement, I probably will draw-up and build a Super-dink. I saw a TV show a LOT of years ago about some guys that traveled around running rivers with a couple of these, Been fascinated ever since. Give it some thought--we could each build one and go play together. My son would run the glass boat with his son. Lots of interesting places to explore around here.

[Chick Ludwig]

I had forgotten, but I used to have a mold for a planing bottom dinghy (sold as the "Princess" dingy or "Lost Bay-9"). I built a deck mold for it and sold several mini-runabouts. I'll see if I can find a picture and post it later.

[Chick Ludwig]

Here are some Flivver boat pictures.

scan0002.pdf This one has a John-rude 25 mounted on a Mercury quicksilver racing lower unit.

scan0003.pdf

Sorry, you'll have to click on these and rotate them. I scanned them into my computer upside down. Don't know why they didn't print picture on this post.

[Chick Ludwig]

Sorry didn't work. Don't know how to cancel this post.

[hokeyhydro]

10' long would be a Class A/B stock runabout. Engines OMC A racing engine = basic 15 w/racing lower, and Hot Rod 15 c.i. or 20 c.i. or any Merc from 15 to 25 c.i.

kits available - plenty of used rigs available.

[Chick Ludwig]

Too bad that there is not enough racing in region 4 to make it worthwhile anymore.

Check this out:

[PAR]

The boat Chick showed (initially) was what was once available just before PWC hit the waves. They were fairly short lived, but some fun and really just an evolution of the old hydro class racers, with more accommodations, without the rules restrictions. They can be had really cheap now and make fine little fishing boats or just blast-abouts on a hot afternoon.

[Chick Ludwig]

Rick and I have been discussing the Super-dink. I'll get started on the plan real soon and post it to get some interest going. Anyone who wants to can build from the plan, but I'll make patterns a long with the first boat so they can be built at least partially stitch and glue. We'll see if there is enough interest in that. The boat is simple enough to build with normal plywood construction using the transom, forward cockpit bulkhead, and bow transom as a building frame, along with the hull sides and keel.

So, anyone interested?

[Chick Ludwig]

Check-it-out. (Thanks rick)

http://www.carolinac...asp?item_id=333 (http://www.carolinac...asp?item_id=333)

[bhanchett]

I used to have one of the 10', 2 seater fiberglass boats called a "GW Invader".  It would take up to a 35 HP.  It was a lot of fun but kind of useless except for going fast and jumping waves, kind of like the PWCs now.  While I enjoyed it, now I have to live with the reality that each boat I have takes up a lot of space so they have to be usable for multiple purposes.  Geez, I sound just like my father!

 

Bill

[PAR]

Well then Bill, I'd recommend a 3 point hydro and some fishing rod holders, so you can call it a utility. I actually did this years ago, even had non-skid texture on the foredeck and a built in place for my cooler. My other half didn't think I was as clever as I thought I was being.

[Chick Ludwig]

The GW invader is very similar to my boat (and the molds it was built from).

[bhanchett]

I just received a mini-magazine from Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) in Cedarville, MI.  They have a group of four cocktail class racers being built.  They are using the CLC kit, called the Skua.  It's an 8' mono hull powered by a 6-8 HP outboard.  Looks like fun.  GLBBS is strictly a wooden boat school for people wishing to learn how to build small craft.

 

Bill

 

If anyone is interested in the school's info, their website is www.glbbs.org & phone is 906-484-1081.

[ricknriver]

Checked out CLC's Skua at their shop in Annapolis and neat little boat.  Seem to be catching on and may be a rebirth of low-cost fun OB racing. Wanted to play about 30 yrs ago, but now leaning toward a fun, low cost, 2-4 place little runabout with about 20-30 hp, to run easy, dry, and efficient up to a light chop, in the high teens/low 20's? Something like Glen-L's 12' Flying Saucer,  Sort of a Morgan +4 on the water . http://www.boatdesigns.com/12-Flying-Saucer-twin-cockpit-runabout/products/324/

 

 

 

[Chick Ludwig]

I like it. Fat little fella. A lot more beam than the others.

[Chick Ludwig]

I thought I posted here yesterday, but it's GONE! I don't think I'll be building a Superdink right now, but I'm cleaning up a 10 ft. mini runabout for use this spring. Gettin' a new double seat made. Anyone want to go run some "cricks"? 

 

Picture below. I still have the molds for this boat if anyone wants to become a boat builder...