Amps 51" Seebold '98 Gas OB tunnel plug/ mold restoration project

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Mike Luszcz

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Jul 31, 2008
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Late December I picked up a upper and lower deck and canopy from the owner of Amps-International Hobbies, with the goal of repairing the damaged parts, making molds, and re-releasing this boat, and two different Merc outboard cowlings. Mr. Seebold and Mercury have agreed it is OK for Ken to continue to offer Miller Agnew's once forgotten design. Of course, Mr. Seebold will be getting the first one! This boat was one of the last big projects Miller worked on, and is a really great looking replica. The original hull was used to try and make a mold in 2010, but due to bad gelcoat, it was a disaster, the bottom plug was completely destroyed, and luckly a rough replacement was made(I fine tuned and cleaned it up), and the top deck sat so long without being bonded to a bottom deck, it warped so bad, I had to cut the decks off, and make all new ones from thick ply. Last night, the top deck got a pretty clean shot of Duratec, and after maybe one more coat, will be ready for making a mold. As you can see, I already completed the bottom mold. Enjoy!

Bottom plug after restoration, and the new bottom mold:

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The old top deck, clamps holding it from curling up, though the damage was already set in:

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New decks and under structure created:

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Insets created for a new laser cut drop in radio box system:

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That's a big tunnel Mike!! I can only amagine the time and effort you have into it!! Some people don't realize how much work can go into making a m0ld and especially that size.Looking great Mike!!

Brad
 
Thanks everyone, I am learning something new about composites everyday. It's been a lot of fun!
 
The first bottom was pulled from the molds this weekend. Turned out pretty nice!

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Its an exciting day, at least for me. Jan 2017 I received the original hull parts that Ken and some of his friends in FL had started making plugs of 7 years ago, only to have disaster strike at the hands of bad gel coat. Today, I am one step closer to finishing Ken's, and I would bet, Miller Agnew's hope, of seeing this boat be available to people again. From my talks with Ken over the years, Miller didn't view these boats as collections, he viewed them as boats to enjoy in the now. Let's hope recreations like these will further that for him. Oh, and in case you are wondering, this is the first top deck, and in one of the pics you see the first bottom hull, out of their respective molds...The Amps Seebold 98 gas tunnel. Now, Its time to finish up the cowling, which I did indeed work on yesterday in between laying up this top deck. Enjoy!

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The hatch mold is half way done. Pretty soon, this boat will be available after almost 20 years!

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Hey Greg, I cant even get done what is currently on my plate! I have been just trying to keep up with orders, and finish up the projects that are already started.
 
Hey Paul! Its Duratec grey surfacing primer...Best stuff in the world for plug creation. It even does great as a gel coat replacement for cowlings. Just lay it up, sand the cowl, and paint!
 
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