sharpshooter... Sports Hydro.

[longballlumber]

When I did my Whip 40, foam and bulheads were sanded even so I could glue the skin to both of them. I use cut foam not poured. I'll do same with this.

So are you relying on the foam or the sponson bulkheads to provide the best structure? I have never used foam in this manner; pour in or pieces that are sanded. I would be concerned you wouldn't get the "best" stiffness unless you were concentrating on the adhesion between deck and bulkeads vs. deck and foam surface. Thinking out loud, that's all.

Later,
Ball

[785boats]

I'm waiting on some epoxy to arrive. When it comes I will start this fine toy boat.

So it won't be long then Ray.

Heath.
This will be EA Sports Hydro.

Ball.
I always shape & sand smooth & level with the framework.
It's the best of both worlds then. The epoxy bonds to the framework & the foam. Solid as.
The caveat is to leave the foam for a few days in some nice heat to make sure it has fully expanded BEFORE a final sanding & gluing on the top skin.

[ray schrauwen]

So it won't be long then Ray.


Ball.
I always shape & sand smooth & level with the framework.
It's the best of both worlds then. The epoxy bonds to the framework & the foam. Solid as.
The caveat is to leave the foam for a few days in some nice heat to make sure it has fully expanded BEFORE a final sanding & gluing on the top skin.

Epoxy should be here tomorrow.

Since I use cut foam and glue it inside the sponsons and elsewhere, I do not need to worry about expansion.

When sanded even with bulkheads the top skin sits evenly on both. I take lots of time to make sure its right and then I deck it.
I first coat the foam and let epoxy soak in for 1/2 hour while the bottoms of the decks get a coat too. After a 1/2 hour I add a bit more fresh MAS epoxy to both and then bond with clamps, weights and tape. Unless it's a spec boat, I build my hydro's a bit heavy, less lead required.

[T.S.Davis]

The caveat is to leave the foam for a few days in some nice heat to make sure it has fully expanded BEFORE a final sanding & gluing on the top skin.

Complete expansion is the key. Small batches helps. The foam adds weight but if weight's not an issue..............it's like building a sponson out of concrete.

That foam is so strong it becomes one with the frames no matter the intent.

Mike, the old led sled Whip was built this way back in 2008. Raced it this passed summer in P sport. There are holes in the sponsons. It doesn't care.

[TRUCKPULL]

Here is the way I did my Mini Wip. (Foam cut into pieces, and glued in)

It is rock solid.

Larry

[785boats]

So there you go Ball, a couple of different ways to achieve the same result.
Any extra weight in the sponsons is a bonus for us here in Australia because we are only allowed to race with a 1P pack with a max weight of 650 grams. So extra weight is usually required to get the balance right. Less added weight is required if the front half of the hull has some weight built into it. But the low density foam I use is not very heavy anyway.
The foam I use along the sides is just that white beady "koolite' foam, like fruit packing boxes from the local produce market. Super light.

[longballlumber]

Different strokes for different folks...

[Scott T]

Great build as usual Paul, looking forward to seeing it run next season I really like this hull, Shooter has done a nice job

[785boats]

Thanks Scott.
Yep. It's definitely a nice kit & cowling.

[T.S.Davis]

My build will barely have enough foam to float.

[785boats]

I certainly like to have enough foam in there to be able to float with the tub totally flooded.
I've seen too many boats sink because of not enough floatation. A couple of my own included in my early days.

After coming home from work today I made the leading edge piece for the tub, and epoxied on the top decks.

The leading edge was made from some Meranti that I had lying around. It wasn't quite wide enough so I had to add a couple of bits of ply to make up for it.
Then I bored a series of 12mm holes through it lengthwise & crosswise to lighten it up a bit as per the instructions.
I then saturated/sealed the inside with some clear spray urethane.

The underside of the decks were given a thin coat of 30 minute epoxy, as were the frames of the hull, & the skins were clamped, taped, & weighted into place.

[Shooter]

My build will barely have enough foam to float.

[bozo586]

My build will barely have enough foam to float.

i think you had one of those before----you got a couple of laps in----kissed lots of money good bye! might be second time around----good luck!

[785boats]

A few more bits done yesterday & this morning.
The nose block epoxied on & the decks trimmed & sanded to shape.
I trimmed up the hatch & cowlings to fit, & then glued the lower nose piece to the upper piece with some Plastruct Weldene.

Now it's time for some final sanding & filling & some glasswork along the joints in the tub & the battery compartment.

[ray schrauwen]

Thanks for all the pictures. It's nice to have someone else start first. Looks like I'm stuck doing nothing until after Christmas.