Jupiter or Ben Hur

[smirnoff]

Has anyone ever build one of these hydro's & if so, any constructive feedback on the assembly, do's or don't's, setup, or preference would be greatly appreciated:rolleyes:

Looking forward to a winter project - and so far this is where I am heading (I think?)

Thanks in advance:D

~Smirnoff

[Mark75H]

Unless you are pretty small (around 150 pounds) I would recommend building the larger Ben Hur, especially if you already have a 30H. Do you have a motor?

I have never heard anyone make any complaint about any of Hal Kelly's plans, follow the directions and you will be proud of the results.

[smirnoff]

Sam,

Appreciate the reply and insight!

I am 175lbs.....and yes I have a motor. I have always wanted to build either one of these boats, I just want to make sure I pick the right one!!! A totally different build than my MiniMax from years ago.....(should have built the MiniMost back then):rolleyes:

HYDROPLANE - BEN HUR 11
LENGTH 11'3"
BEAM 5'
CONSTRUCTION PLYWOOD
DRAFT 6"
REC. POWER 25 to 60 HP
REC. SPEEDS UP TO 70 MPH

[Mini GT]

Go for the Ben Hur. Hull handles great with a 60hp. If you have a short shaft it will be great. the construction is accurate and Hal Kelly plans are great

[BOATNIQUE]

Ben Hur was my first kit boat I built at age 10. Finished it when
I was 14 in '74! Great design with all the bottom tricks, but needs
to be built LIGHT ( 150lbs ).

[Tom Foley]

A friend of mine Perry Walter was the test driver for Hal Kelly when he first built the Ben Hur .Nice boat , email me and i will get you hjis e-mail and you two can talk 1

[smirnoff]

Tom,

I sent you an email......:)

[captwalter]

Yes I did drive for Hal Kelly back in the 50's. Thanks for remembering Tom. I drove the Ben Hur for Hal and particularly remember the President's Cup Regatta in Washington, DC where I finished with the same number of points as a fellow racer by the name of Dick O'Dea. He got the first place trophy on time by a fraction of a second. That hull was a great rough water boat that we ran in the DSH class. Too heavy for the CSH class. I laid down in the boat and Hal told me never to worry about going over backwards. Well you can probably guess that when I was testing the boat on the Shrewsbury River in Rumson, NJ over backwards she went. Heading into the wind on a very windy day. Didn't hurt the boat nor me. The Ben Hur is a safe and well built boat that will be a great pond racer but not up to the designs of todays all out racing boats. Perry

[Tom Foley]

We want photos !!

[mk30h]

I built Hal's Buzzard back in the early 70's or I should say my dad did. Great boat, ran it with a 20h and later a 20H conversion. I was a lightwieght about 145- 150. She flew, at about 60 mph with the cornpopper.

The Benhur is a great for a 55H, and would run a Mark75 standard. I Jupiter was a very light fast boat, would handle a 20h or a 30H. Then again depends on your weight. Great looking boats. Currenlty I am working on an extened Airborne runabout. :)

[Tom Foley]

I will try to get some pics of a professionally built Airborne that a buddy had built around here , its awesome !

[willt49]

looking for any info on the ben hur11

[Mark75H]

Its a Hal Kelly 1950's C (30H) design. You can find the plans several places on the internet.

It is an "S" bottom, forward cockpit design. The sponsons are deeper than comparable boats and is better than most boats its size in less than ideal water.

[willt49]

thanks mark75h, I'm looking for any detailed info on the boat to aid in building. I have a set of plans from C.Craft, but would like to know as much as posible before starting.

Thanks Willt49

[Mark75H]

The main thing is that the boat is specifically designed for the Mark 30H motor. Other motors will not perform well on this boat.

[smirnoff]

Mark 30H or 55H:thumbsup:

[John Schubert]

Mark 30H or 55H:thumbsup:

Hal Kelly & I raced together but I can't say that I'm a real expert but if I recall the Jupiter was the boat he built for the MK20H conversion then the Ben HUr for "C-D" classes. As such, yours looks like a Ben Hur. What is very interesting is Hal probably was one of the 1st to use the now standard "S" bottom when he first built the Jupiter.

[Mini Max]

Searching for Hal Kelly Buzzard plans, a 9' A/B hydro. I have looked hard unsuccessfully.
Any help out there?

[ChrisCarsonMarine]

Still have my Jupiter,the Ben Hur is long gone,I would love to find another one...raced the Jupiter,just played with the Ben Hur,ran several motors on it,largest was a mk78 with a speed master,lots of fun,chris

[Tom Foley]

55 - H for sure . I have a recoil assy , whole top , if you need one .