home built tunnel hull the laker14

[boatermike]

http://www.dillon-racing.com/customerboats/Wilde/index.htm

For many years I have wanted to build a wood speed boat and I never really liked what I was finding for plans. Now I find this boat and I really like it. Has any member here built this or know of someone that has? Certainly I want to over power it.
This might be the one. The side by side version with a backwards facing jump seat. Would enjoy some discussion. What would be a good fishing motor to mod or can a race setup be found on the cheap? What speeds could I fantasize about driving before it was to fast?

Hello to all the friends in my little boats posting! You have made it a legend in my mind!

[sharpeye Mike]

It's based on a SST 60 race class tunnel boat, so I would start with a short shaft Stinger or an OMC SST 60 race motor if you can find one. With a 75 HP Stinger and the right prop, I would think you could obtain speeds around 75 MPH and with an SST 60 maybe around 80-85 MPH

[CUDA]

Nice

[Li'l Toy]

ES Kilo record was 84, I believe. Racing speed around 75. That was with a 75 short shaft. Bet the SST60 motor would be better--does it use a speedmaster or OMC equivalent?

The guy in the linked page who is gong to put the big motor on it is going to blow himself over. True racing tunnels are not nearly as forgiving as our STVs an other pod tunnels.

[boatermike]

this was 13.5 ft with 135 johny, popped the motor due to overheating it.the boat was flimsy as heck! it went 79.9 on gps but only went straight, turns at high speed were wide wide wide and if you slowed it down forget turning.

[boatermike]

this one turned good but wasn't very fast at 55ish

[boatermike]

I would be geeked at 85 in a laker14

[boatermike]

what older mercs would work? I like the 500 and wonder how high of power did they eventually get from that style?

[Jimboat]

Has any member here built <script id="gpt-impl-0.11157052716094184" src="http://partner.googleadservices.com/gpt/pubads_impl_92.js"></script>this or know of someone that has? Certainly I want to over power it.
Bob Dillon designs a good boat. One thing to consider, tunnel hulls are designed for very specific weight, power and speed. Over powering (http://www.aeromarineresearch.com/publications/PBR_JanFeb2016.html) does not always work out well. I'd plan on powering to speed and weights designed by Bob for this boat; or modify the hull design so that it will be stable with your desired power, weight, speed.

[sharpeye Mike]

I thought of building this also but mine would have to be 15' long, maybe even 16' with a center pod like an STV.

[boatermike]

adding a centerpod did cross my mind and so did making it stretch out to 15 ft but I think following the plans sounds easier for my first one

[boatermike]

im basically set, this boat will be built "i think"

[XstreamVking]

I built a small 13.5' tunnel. Canted the tunnel walls slightly to allow some slip when turning. Anti trip chines on back outer edges of sponsons. Added a slight wedge in the aft tunnel area for more lift since using a big heavy motor for boats size. Ran good, and handled well for what it was. Planed off and got level fast. 135 johnrude for power.....23p SRX prop...

[boatermike]

it says 80 hp max and 300 lbs so im asking myself why not tower of power, hp ratings changed and I bet 80 at the prop is accurate and it weighs 300 lobs, seems like a perfect match, in fact I know of a 1350 nearby at a decent price

[Li'l Toy]

Lifeline, helmet and kill switch. And have a spotter boat.

[home made tunnel]

Little tunnels are awesome! I haven't touched my project in about a year, but will be finishing it this winter - Planning on throwing a Merc 115 ProXS on her - As she sits, she feels about 350lbs. I'm expecting the hull to be around 500 lbs when it's all done.

Here's the build thread for some inspiration . . .

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?293409-Mini-Tunnel-finally-building!-From-Scratch/page6

[sharpeye Mike]

it says 80 hp max and 300 lbs so im asking myself why not tower of power, hp ratings changed and I bet 80 at the prop is accurate and it weighs 300 lobs, seems like a perfect match, in fact I know of a 1350 nearby at a decent price
An OMC Stinger or an SST 60 is 200 lbs. Bet you that you get the best ride and handling with one of those motors, or if you like Yamaha, get the 90 horse or build yourself a Mariner- Yamaha 90 short shaft, all kinds of horsepower upgrade for the 90 Yam.
I suggest that you keep the motor light. The Laker 14 didn't do so well with the long shaft 70 HP Merc.

[olboatman]

I have to agree about weight being almost as important as hp after trying different set ups on my SLT. I know-I know your gonna say thats an inflatable... but the principles are alike. And I have to deal with extra stern weight( my ass) as I use a tiller!:D (haven't blown over yet-but been close):eek: Gary

[GoMopar440]

It's kind of ironic I just found this thread today. I bought the Laker 14 plans a month or two ago and then joined this forum, and a couple others, to educate myself about any potential trip-ups that could be easily avoided during the build with a little knowledge beforehand. I've been looking around for an outboard that the designer suggested, but haven't come up with any solid leads that fit within my budget yet. I did however find a Mercury 115 "Tower of Power" in fair shape that the seller is willing to trade for some stuff I have. This looks like the motor I'll most likely end up with pretty soon, so I sent of an email to Bob Dillon to see if he thought the Laker 14 could be built to safely handle the 115. I just sent the email a few minutes ago so I don't expect a reply until next week. I'm wanting to build it as a two seat recreational version so I'll already have more weight up front with two people in the boat. I gave Bob a few of my ideas to strengthen and balance the boat for the larger motor and I'll just have to wait to see what he says. One option is to go with a different boat that is a better match for the 115, but like the OP, I'd really like to stick with the Laker if possible. If Bob vetos that idea, I'll respect his wishes and find something better suited for the motor I'll be getting. I can relay whatever Bob says here in this thread since it's directly related to the OP's original question.

BTW: The guy with the 115 just texted me back and is going to make the deal on the motor. So whatever I do, it looks like I'm locked into the "Tower of Power" motor choice now.

[GoMopar440]

Well that was a lot quicker than I expected. I just got a reply from Bob Dillon about the possibility of beefing up and lengthening the Laker 14 to allow it to handle a Mercury 115. In short, he said it's fine to go ahead with the two ideas I proposed to him. First idea was to lengthening the hull from 14' to 16'. The other idea was to add two more knees at the coming area and run them forward to an extra beam running right behind the two front seats. One additional measure he suggested was to make the motor board thicker in addition to the other two mods. I would most likely also widen the motor board so it's as wide as the comings. That will make it simpler to attach the additional knees straight forward to the added mid-beam.

So to answer the OP's original question about putting a Merc 115 on a Laker 14, according to the designer, YES you can as long as you perform the three mods listed above. I would still highly suggest running your planed mods past Bob first though. He can give you much more detailed answers than the oversimplified summary I gave in this post.

And on a related note, the Merc 115 will be getting here Sunday. It's the first of many more pieces I'm gathering for my Laker 14' (16'?) project. I'll start a build thread for it when I'm ready to start construction. I need to build a covered and enclosed work space for it first before I can even think about starting on the boat.

[boatermike]

im selling my cube van to finance the build . laker16!

[FMP]

this one turned good but wasn't very fast at 55ish

Like it. What are you running, 105?

[boatermike]

I had 2 of these rabco tunnels, one with 105 chizzler and the other with 125 chizzler. most notable was the smooth Chrysler power.............

[lwilde.0422]

The guy in the linked page who is gong to put the big motor on it is going to blow himself over. True racing tunnels are not nearly as forgiving as our STVs an other pod tunnels.[/QUOTE]

http://www.dillon-racing.com/customerboats/Wilde/index.htm

[XstreamVking]

Run time with that BP will be about 10 mins with the limited amount of fuel that that boat can carry...But that is all it will take to scare the heck outta you.

[lwilde.0422]

Fuel tank is 14 gallons. So should fuel for 12 minutes with the 7 super chargers and trident 1st stage rocket motor.

[home made tunnel]

The guy in the linked page who is gong to put the big motor on it is going to blow himself over. True racing tunnels are not nearly as forgiving as our STVs an other pod tunnels.

http://www.dillon-racing.com/customerboats/Wilde/index.htm[/QUOTE]
who, me?

[lwilde.0422]

http://www.dillon-racing.com/customerboats/Wilde/index.htm
who, me?[/QUOTE]

No, I think he was talking about me. I get alot of crap from guys on this site about my setup. Its called "scream and fly" not "majestic float". That's why I linked my page

[XstreamVking]

I really would like to see a vid of this project when complete. I'm not giving you crap, just know how much fuel a BP burns at speed. 35 gph is possible with one. Boat looks cool, motor def cool. Both together could be epic.

[lwilde.0422]

Thanks XStream! I will post a few videos. Hoping to have it done this summer. The current state.

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[home made tunnel]

Thanks XStream! I will post a few videos. Hoping to have it done this summer. The current state.

365311365312



I'll bet you a beer I finish before ya !!! hahahaha. The Race is on, before she's even done !!!


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[lwilde.0422]

Game on! I will post pics up here as I make progress. Btw I really like the depth of your sponsons. That sucker is going to handle water really well!

[lwilde.0422]

Found you a motor $3500.
OMC Stinger motor with SST 45 mid and lower. Ready to go
365357

[home made tunnel]

Game on! I will post pics up here as I make progress. Btw I really like the depth of your sponsons. That sucker is going to handle water really well!

I sure hope so! It is deceiving, though. The tunnel is only 8" deep. Little boat problems ! haha. Should go well though, I'm really hoping the planning pads do their job as expected.

What are you planning on for the top side? All solid white? Crazy colors?

[lwilde.0422]

Right now I plan on a white bottom with a navy blue and white top. I want it to look antique or as close to it as possible. I'm still up in the air on inline seats or a side-by-side design.

[home made tunnel]

Right now I plan on a white bottom with a navy blue and white top. I want it to look antique or as close to it as possible. I'm still up in the air on inline seats or a side-by-side design.

SIDE x SIDE ! Do it - We can be evil step child mini-twins haha.

Here's a couple pics for seat ideas for the side x side. I really like the white hull / black top with red/orange/yellow stripes. I might be going that route for mine, like in the picture below.


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[lwilde.0422]

I really like those liberator seats. That Merc scheme boat looks sick. I will probably do the side by side, my wife would be so pissed if I had only 2 seats inline :reddevil:

[olboatman]

I really like those liberator seats. That Merc scheme boat looks sick. I will probably do the side by side, my wife would be so pissed if I had only 2 seats inline :reddevil:

Yup She wouldn't be able to have a conversation (yell at) with ya when sitten behind!:p:eek::D Gary

[lwilde.0422]

Only 1 more coat of primer and some color365576 and it's on to the top side.

[Jim Beagle]

Only 1 more coat of primer and some color365576 and it's on to the top side.

Hello Lucas
How's your build coming ?
Jim