ML Boatworks- International Hobbies Seebold Tunnel kit build thread 38" and 50" ver.

[cybercrxt]

I have not posted over here yet on this, but I am getting further along with this project. I am working on kits, and cowlings plugs/ molds to make the early open cockpit Seebold Bud Light O/B Tunnels in 38" and 50" versions. I have the wood kits designed, and I am building on them now. I have the 50" cowling mold done, and pulled the first cowling last night, and I am working on the plug for the 38" version.

The 38" version is set up to run with a KB 7.5 lower, FE power as the center section is designed around FE.

The 50" version is setup up to run a lower like the ArrowShark gas size lower, or the MHZ gas size lower, which I am using. I designed the center section for FE tho, so we can run a big 10s setup in it! I also developed a new large, Evinrude/Johnson F1 cowling to fit these larger lower units.

Both these kits are designed around the International Hobbies/ Amps Seebold 38" tunnel. I collect the Amps stuff, so I had plenty to go by as far as getting this pretty correct! Here are some pics.

First thing is first...here is what the real boat looks like:



And here is the original 38" International Hobbies/ Amps Bud Light Seebold in which I started my designing.

[cybercrxt]

The first thing I did, was design the tunnel kit, then I worked on a skeleton for the 50" cowling, and it started life like this:





Lots of sanding, and filling, and priming, until it got to this:



Here you can see the size difference in the original 38" IH tunnel, vs. the 50" one I am doing:

[cybercrxt]

Then I made the mold, polished it, and made the first part:

[cybercrxt]

Work on the 38" cowling plug has been going on too. Here it is. It is now close to making a mold as well:

[T.S.Davis]

Mike, do you only brush on that duratech and then sand or do you eventually end up spraying a few layers when you get close? I'm fascinated by that stuff?

[cybercrxt]

Now, the large size outboard cowling plug and mold. I made basically a larger version of the Amps F1 cowling, as you will see in the pics below. I have molds for the Amps F1 cowling as well, so that basis is covered already for the 38" tunnel. here is the making of the large cowl:







And the results! I made the Evinrude and Johnson F1 decal sets as well:





Amps outboard vs. the MHZ outboard!

[cybercrxt]

Now, the hull kits themselves. Here are some pics of the 38" version first. I have it framed, and will start making sheeting parts next for the ride pad and non trip.

CAD work:

[cybercrxt]

[cybercrxt]

And the 50" version, I have only made the sponsons, and sheeted them. I will start on the center section this week most likely. Here are some pics of the sponsons, with the new cowling.







And that is all for now. I just wanted to share these with you guys. It is a fun project, and designed to just be a fun sport tunnel, not a race boat. Should look really cool once done!

[cybercrxt]

Terry, I start out brushing it to fill gaps in between the framing and foam. Once I have the foam protected, I then add surface filler, and at that point, I start spraying it on, as it levels better doing that. But yeah, a little of both!

[ray schrauwen]

Always impressed Mike! Beautiful!

[T.S.Davis]

So no glass on the foam then? I'm totally going to use this stuff on my next canopy plug.

[Tamelesstgr]

In a word: Outstanding

[cybercrxt]

Thanks Guys,

Terry, no glass on the foam, just multiple layers of Styroshield, and filler. The Rigger cowling plug was simple as it only had one seam up the middle, so I had that plug finished in like two evenings!



Here is a side by side of the 38" and 50" versions to help clarify the situation going on in these parts! haha

















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[cybercrxt]

Oh yeah, This will work! 50" Tunnel and Outboard!






















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