ML Boatworks KL350 Kneeler Hydroplane---Build starts Post #50, Videos Post #96

[Jerry Dunlap]

Very interesting build. The laser cut wood parts look great.

JD

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Jerry. How much time do u think u would need to put one together? Mike

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Using CA glue and then coating the joints and interior surfaces with epoxy, I'd estimate 6 or 7 hours to built the hull. I like to coat the exterior surfaces with West Systems before attaching the parts to the framework. I find it much easier to apply and sand the WS when the parts are flat.

Finishing and rigging would probably take another 6 to 8 hours. It's really difficult to put a build time on model boats. I'm sure some one with less experience would and should take more time. There's many great things about being retired and one of them is the ability to dedicate 4 or 5 hours straight to a built project.

JD

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Retirement...Wonder what that would feel like! haha. Sounds like you have plenty of time. I will get ahold of you soon. I want to get this first one built, and tested before anything else happens. Talk soon! Mike

 

[racejunkie538]

I allready like it !!

Rgrds Marc

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Not my best non trip sheeting job, but it will do. Got one of the sponsons finished on the bottom side. It only took about 30 minutes to add the 3/16" basswood sticks and bottom sheeting. This boat is really simple to build! here are some pics of the progress. 4 hours logged total so far. Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Just so everyone knows, the sequence for sponson sheeting is:

1) Sponson Non trip

2) main non trip behind sponson

3) ride pad (rear)

4) ride pad (front)

5) epoxy the inside, add foam, and add top deck

 

[Tim leyde]

Mike, what a piece of art! Love it, put my name on the list. Anyone who has never had/drove a kneeler. You are missing out.

TL

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Tim, I will keep ya posted. Here is more progress. the center section is now bonded, and both sponsons are bonded and only need the top deck installed. I got aluminum inside the turn fin area, both for sponson transom mount, and inside sponson edge mount. I will be doing inside sponson edge mount of the fin first as the testing done on the old style hull is what lead Dick Loeb and I to this conclusion. I will be epoxying the inside of the sponsons and added some cloth or carbon in the ride pad area next. Then, the top decks go on, then paint! Enjoy, Mike

Get your foam cut and fit where you want it in the center section:

Once your foam is cut and tested for fitment, remove it, epoxy the interior surfaces, add foam back, epoxy underside of top center section deck, put it in place, tape it down...a little CA around the engine well area on the top side to keep it down while drying helps on both sides, and

add weights...let dry:

 

[Mike Luszcz]

This is what it will look like after glued.

You will want to sand this edge flush as there may, or may not be a touch of overhang once the top deck is on. It all depends on how well you glued the engine well area. I ended up with a 1/16" overhand towards the rear:

 

[Mike Luszcz]

I forgot to take a pic, but once you have the sponson bottoms sheeted, and non trip installed, then its time to glue the sponsons to the center section. I suggest using epoxy to join the sponsons. There are tabs at the front and rear of the center section, they will lock the sponsons in place, and help keep them where then need to be while drying. I actually CA'ed mine to the center section, but I do not suggest doing that. I am needing quick turn around with this to get it tested, so I cut this corner. I will also be bead seam sealing all the way around the sponson/ center section connection point to add strength back. Once they are in place, and the glue has dryed, its time to test fit the top decks of the sponsons. Do not glue them yet, just test fit towards the front area. You will want to make a mark, and sand down some of the inside top deck overhang before the glue stange:

Tape down:

Flip boat over, and make a line where the over hang is on the inside edge of the sponson top deck, and sand down. This will make life easier when you glue the sponson down later!

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Now that your top deck is fitted, and close enough to glue, set it aside...you now want to add your turn fin backing.. I did one for the transom, and one for the inside edge. I will let everyone know my thoughts after testing with location:

Now that your metal is glued in place, you can proceed to epoxy the rest of the inside, add cloth of carbone where desired, and top decks can go on. This pic here is as far as I got this weekend. About 4-5 hours into the build! Thanks for looking, more later! Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Oh, I forgot, I went back in the garage, and built the radio box...no pics of that yet. Once I did that, I layed it in the hull, layed the sponson top decks in the engine well, and weighed the hull. With everything you see here (aluminum in the turn fin area included), engine well epoxyed as well, I am at 3lb 10oz...Not to bad for a 35" hull! Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

and the last part! Glued on the top decks after putting in cloth and foam into the sponsons. Mike

 

[henkie]

Already tested it Mike ?

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Not yet, I got it painted this weekend tho, which means I can start assembly! I will post pics of it tomorrow. Tlak soon, Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Here are some pics of the hull. Rigging will probably start tomorrow as I need to epoxy the radio box, and ran out of time yesterday. Both the hulls in the picture were painted over the last week. Worked on the Lauterbach cowling plugs as well...busy weekend! Mike

 

[Andy Greene]

Tight work Mike, they look awesome - love the kneeler B)

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Andy, just wish I had the lexan in time to make the clear windshield...that would have been sick! None the less, I have some now, so if this thing works, the kits will include that! Mike

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

LOOKIN' GOOD!!

JD