Some new things for 2014...ML Boatworks

[Mike Luszcz]

Well, a few things have been going on that I wanted to share with everyone. First, over the last couple of months I have been trying different things with gel coats...parts and more complex mold making, clear gel with metal flake and proper cloth/ mat combinations for most of the cowls I offer. I have finally decided to make gel coating a permanent part of the ML Boatworks cowling lineup. I have 2 molds left that need to be resurfaced so a gel coated surface will be nice and clean, but other than that, all my other molds are ready to go.

I want to thank Dick Loeb's for his never ending help and Kentley Porter of Rudolph Brothers for coming down and showing me how to use the Freekote mold release system. With this mold release I don't have to rewax every time a part needs to be laid up, so the molds will always be ready to go and I can lay up multiple parts in one day without spending hours waxing and waxing. This should help me keep some backlog of cowlings on the shelf, getting them out to the customer quicker. This mold release is absolutely amazing to say the least!

The best part of all of this change over is there will be no change in the kit costs. The only change is a total lack of pinholes, and parts that seem to be stronger!

Next, myself and a friend recently acquired a large 56" F1 Champ tunnel boat/ master plug/ molds based on the Seebold Bud Light from the mid 90's, and a matching Champ gas size outboard. This is more of a fun run type hull and I doubt would be competitive in the gas tunnel class (The GX480 gas tunnel handles that class just fine.) I currently will be handling all the layups of the F1 tunnel, and outboard cowlings, and he will be handling getting things going with the outboard. Anyone interested in the F1 tunnel and outboard can contact me directly until I get the boat up on the website. I will pass along your contact info to my friend about the outboard. I also plan on doing a static outboard for display purposes...the outboard is 16" tall from top to bottom...should may a great office piece! I am also working with the current owner of AMPS/ International hobbies to put the outboard under his licensing so it can be offered with full Mercury Champ decals instead of just a bare cowling.

If anyone has any questions or comments let me know! Thanks, Mike

Here are some pics of a few of the new cowl layups, and the upper master plug of the F1 tunnel and outboard cowling/ lower unit.

 

[Mike Luszcz]

The GP400/ SX400 and GP265 GP style cowling molds are now preped for gel coated finishes! Here are the first layups! Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

The gel coat flows on! Started the first 56" Champ Tunnel this weekend, and the outboard lower pan. Mike

 

[anthony_marquart]

wow man.. time to make some hydro molds!!!

 

[Bert Dygert]

Mike,

The F-1 deck looks great!!! Did you make the molds???

Bert Dygert

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Give me time......

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Mike,

The F-1 deck looks great!!! Did you make the molds???

Bert Dygert

Bert, The molds were made by someone else. Me and the other guy purchased all the molds and master plugs. They have not been made in over 10 years from what I understand. The molds are all in perfect shape tho, which is the only reason I considered getting this stuff. I figured there might be a market for it, and so far, there actually has been some decent interest. Mostly over in Australia tho. Its a big one tho! Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

I also wanted to add that I now have a builder that has been doing hulls for my customers over the last couple months, and is doing a great job. If anyone needs an ML hull built, please let me know, either via PM, or email, [email protected] and I will give you his contact info! Keith Thompson is his name, and I am really pleased with what I am seeing and hearing from people!