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It would be interesting David, to know what material is under most boat interiors. This shop has very precise wood tooling and builds seats from scratch on site, with upholstery on site too.
Here is more progress - the floatation added and work on the bilge area. We have some nice gauges picked out for this build, but nothing too crazy. It will be very interesting to me to see how future Biel boats get built up, or how customers build out their bare boats.
Attachment 426246
Attachment 426247
Fuel tank in the bilge area?
Fuel tank is going in the front on this Biel boat. I believe they were in the back before. There are balance changes from original to now. Mike Biel will be dialing in this new version.
Its been a while, but things are progressing. Geoff at TLM is doing layout for seating and gauges.
Seats will be fiberglass, and a nice vintage design from older jet boats I believe. Mike and Geoff have free reign on this build. To show a tasteful return of the Biel Promise (the most deluxe one ever?), and a fine small boat for me, the wife & friends.
I have chose color schemes, gauges, steering wheel & stereo and they are taking care of build, layout and fit & finish. Geoff has a lot of nicely detailed boats (large and small) in his shop. I'm just a customer. ;)
Here is a quick vid of initial layout. Thanks for documenting, Geoff. :thumbsup:
https://youtu.be/S4TuP_cyolU
What gages are you going with? We went with just two, ICON speedo and tach. The same gages would work with your motor. These are analog gages with multi function displays at the bottom that can show whatever you want.
I like the clean look and would have preferred no stereo. This is a family boat so I was out voted on the stereo. We went with a simple round unit, at the far left of the dash.
Are you getting angled bezels? These help a lot when the gages are off to the side as yours will be.
Faria gauges and a Kicker source unit David, & hopefully angled bezels.
Subscribed! I want one! Was always impressed with Chris's Biel.
David what is your boat (in the photo)?
Gas tank in the bow on a smaller hull such as this is going to alter the CG a lot.
And your opinion of it?Quote:
Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF
I think Mike Biel thought there could be improvements on his boat. As a relative newcomer to a high performance 'runabout' lol, I will trust his direction. This boat may be a test mule for a while getting balance or power needs (prop) situated. Maybe he'll nail it right off the get go.
I'm good with it and we'll see where it goes.
He knows his product better than me I'm sure. I'm just saying that in a boat this small, varying the weight in the bow will be very noticeable. How big is the tank going to be?
I love the idea of Mike getting more of these out there, but I don't understand why there would be any wood used when there are so many closed cell composite options available in today's market. Chris has definitely set a benchmark for guys to chase.
Joe
TLM will build with composites. Cost was one reason for me & TLM felt wood will last. How long I dont know. At 58 years of age I will have this boat at most for ten years, then sell it off. I figure it will last for me being kept indoors in a 60-80 degree climate.
I suppose I could second guess myself for not going with composite, but hey I will motor all over for a long time.
Personally, I am not chasing Chris. But his performance in rough-ish water conditions seemed very good for a small boat and looked like it could be an easy handling runabout. Thats what lured me. :thumbsup:
Oh, a 12 gallon tank I believe.
Awesome boats, I have inquired about having a bare hull built was told around 7400$, im in the middle of restoring my bullet 130 13' mini deep v offshore boat but i may end up buying one of these in the future. A formula race 60 would be a good power plant but you prob wont find one in the us very easily. I was fortunate to acquire one for my bullet and i got it pretty cheap, was brand new thanks to a few guys on this page ^ JPROG. Shorter the midsection the better although i heard the reccomend a 20" for his boat idk. Tuff boat ran the etec 60 on their 16' and ran the formula race, the merc was 3-5 mph faster and had alot more prop choices. I got a 12x22 oem merc racing cleaver for it also. Curious how yours turns out and hot wit runs, please keep posting updates. Simopn performance makes a tune for the formula 60 so it brings it up over 70+hp. From what i have read and info given by the guys at tuffmarine and other UK racers the merc is around 65+ hp stock anyways.
https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...pspatvadbe.jpg
[URL=https://s3.photobucket.com/user/sh311shock/media/Mobile%20Uploads/MVIMG_20181026_180148_zpsuc2swqa9.jpg.html]https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...psuc2swqa9.jpg[/URLhttps://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y7...ps50tdrvvy.jpg]
Thanks for the input TwzteD. A sweet Formula Race 60 Merc you have there. And I do believe my Biel boat calls for a 20" shaft I will guess is due to a high-ish freeboard. I will probably have a prop similar to yours.
I guess my little Biel Promise boat will be kind of unique. Most of these small boats are stripped boats. Made to squeeze every last miles per hour out of it. Mine is a bit more deluxe. With interior, gauges and colors, floors, etc, all added weight.
I hope for 50 mph, and maybe in future years I will bump up to a bigger and lighter motor. Mike Biel has to stay within USCG regulations on a turnkey boat. 60 mph would be ultimate, but this etec 60HO powered (rated at 66-67 hp) turnkey boat should have good punch. I will be happy with my runabout, tuned & balanced.
I am not chasing Chris on his 80-100 mph boat!! I have motorcycles to break 100 mph on! ;)
BTW TwzteD, your 13' Bullet boat will be incredible. Nice project. The video of that boat jumping everything in sight is just crazy - no wonder they get stress cracks. :smiletest:
I am not a life long power boater thus the turnkey Biel boat. Mike is very excited to see his boat on a comeback, and my boat is to represent along with Twisted Liquid Marines deluxe builds.
More progress on the Biel Promise tunnel. Gauges, cleats, bilge, etc now in.
I am very happy with the work performed on Mike Biel's tunnel by Geoff at Twisted Liquid Marine.
We are closing in on interior colors. Its at Geoffs' pace and he is moving along quite well.
Ought to be a looker!
https://youtu.be/XyR2zrQzqx4