Tiny Speedboat Build

Boats up to 15' for oars, power or sail. Please include the boat type in your question.
Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by Jetdriver69 »

Redesigned the throttle assembly as the cheap Chinese twist grip throttle broke the first time I used it.
So I bought a heavy duty lawn tractor hand throttle and made a wood housing covered with epoxy resin.
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Dug out enough wood so the throttle can sit flush with a dremel
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Screwed in place and workks very well and secure.
I havce a tiny Cigarette Racing Team decal coming that will fit between the screw heads.
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I didnt like the look or the throw length of the bicycle handlebar steering so I made a yoke set up using thick walled PVC pipe.
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Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by Jetdriver69 »

Ran the throttle cable through the bulkhead and connected to the engine. Works great with full range of throttle movement.
Hooked up the dash mounted kill switch to the engine. The line was hidden through the dash and under the floor months ago.
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The fuel tank finally arrived and dry fitted. The RC boat fuel lines should arrive this week sometime.
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Showing the throttle connection, kill switch wiring to the coil and battery powered tachometer lead wrapped around the plug wire.
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Hopefully run the fuel lines and fire this thing up when I get back from a trip.

Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

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Forgot this pix.
Installed the dash cover, easlily removed for steering maintenance if required.
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Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

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Hooked up the 2.5L fuel tank to a shutoff valve and fuel filter
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Then hooked the whole mess up to the carburetor.
The other yellow fuel line is for the primer bulb overflow. Just an old 35mm film case with an inlet nipple added on top.
If it doesnt storm tomorrow, we will try to fire this thing up.
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cape man
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by cape man »

Drum roll.....
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman

Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by Jetdriver69 »

I had a devil of a time getting the RC boat engine to start.
Apparently these finicky little engine require a precise starting sequence or forget it.
No choke, very little prime, cover the velocity stack with your hand and slowly pull though once.
Then 1/4 throttle and a tiny shot of starting fliud and off it goes.
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The little engine is way more powerful than I thought. I dont doubt it could put out 4.3 hp at hight rpm's
Even at idle around 3800 rpm and directly connected to the jet drive it is putting a bit of thrust.
At 1/4 throttle it about pushed me over in the pool and at 1/2 throttle it tried to climb out of the pool.
Me thinks this thing will be much faster than I thought too. Wouldnt be surprised if it gets to 15 mph and should easily get on plane.
Going to have to mount an idle stop for when the kid gets on board...

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cape man
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by cape man »

Awesome!
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman

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BarraMan
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by BarraMan »

I gotta say that I just love "Half Pint"! :D

Image

My only concern is will "the Kid" still fit in it once he completes the mechanical engineering degree required to operate it? 8O :doh: :help: :lol:

TomW1
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by TomW1 »

BarraMan wrote: Sun Jul 10, 2022 1:27 am I gotta say that I just love "Half Pint"! :D

Image

My only concern is will "the Kid" still fit in it once he completes the mechanical engineering degree required to operate it? 8O :doh: :help: :lol:
What a great picture. You did a great job. :D Tom









w
Restored Mirror Dinghy, Bought OD18 built by CL, Westlawn School of Yacht Design courses. LT US Navy 1970-1978

Jetdriver69
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Re: Tiny Speedboat Build

Post by Jetdriver69 »

Thanks for the comments

The kid is pretty smart and it will be tethered to me via the cleats with a long rope contraption I made.

Pretty much leaving it at idle and let him putt putt around until he gets a hang of it.

I still need to modify the exhaust a bit, fix a leak where the jet drive seals to the hull, adjust the idle and hook up the kill switch.

Maybe tomorrow and get it in the lake by this weekend unless I have to work.

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