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

[Mike Luszcz]

After months and months of working on this project, the molds are finally done, and the first Prototype is out and trimmed. This one looks really really great. Really nice to see this boat back. Been a long time coming. The hatch on this one is just a glass layup. I didnt want to risk carbon in the new 2 piece molds, and not be able to get it out if something went wrong! All production hulls and hatchs will be Carbon layup. Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

This was the bag of bones I started with, lol

and the top decks were made from scratch due to the severe warpage of the original hull.

 

[Mike Luszcz]

This was back in the mid 2000's, before the original attempt at molds was done in 2009. The boat sat in pieces for 8 years due to a gel coat failure when the 1st batch of molds were attempted.

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Next on the board is making molds of this Amps Merc cowling. it will be a two piece, maybe 3 piece mold. Time will tell.

 

[BobHorowitz]

Another beauty!

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Bob!

 

[Gilbert Pun]

Nice boat, Mike, where can one obtain this drive leg?

 

[Mike Luszcz]

We wont be offering that particular lower unit, only the cowling for those trying to put one as close to original in their collection, or in the water. We will also be doing a Champ cover as well. Both of these covers, will be for the MHZ gear driven lower. As usual, the Johnson/ Evinrude style Formula 1 cowling will be available too as seen below.

 

[Gilbert Pun]

Can the big AMP Merc cowling cover the gas engine and tune pipe ?

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Yes, it originally covered a gas engine when Miller Agnew first released it in the early 2000's!

 

[David Ashcroft]

Mike tunnel is looking great.

Did the open cockpit wooden tunnel get completed for production?

 

[Mike Luszcz]

While the 38" and 50" open cockpit versions are done, I have to build one, and send it to Bill Seebold for approval as well. Seeing as I never have time, it was put on the back burner. The glass hull in this thread is much easier for me to produce, and get Bill his tunnel, so that has been my priority. And lets face it, no one wants to build wood tunnels much anymore. I probably should just do a glass version of the 50" open cockpit hull to be honest. It would probably do better. Anyways, that is the reason.