Wellcraft Nova undergoes a conversion from Sterndrive to Outboard.

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Originally Posted by hemi2005

From what I can see that's some pretty nice work. :thumbsup: That pod is going to look factory when you get it done. :cheers:

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Thanks for your comments. Whenever I do a hull extension or work such as I am doing on the Wellcraft I really try hard to make it appear as though it was as it came from the factory.

The best comments I can receive are those where people have to be told that the boat has had a hull extension or modification.

Before starting designing an extension I look at how a boat floats at rest, then just on the plane and then cruising speed and finally at full speed. I take lots of photo's and then do lots of research on other models from the same manufacturer. Often I will incorporate ideas from new models from the same manufacturer. This can make a boat look much younger than it really is. In a hull extension on a 40 footer it is easy to stuff it up, make it look like rubbish and or scrub off plenty of speed. It does happen and more often than it should.;)

Ok time for a progress report. This weekend just gone the plan was to float the boat to confirm bouyancy and run up the engine. Well we were unable to get the engine to run, lack of spark at the plugs so I will get a local auto electrician to have a look see.

So this week I will endeavour to get the other longitudinal built, the slot cut in the transom and get it glassed and glued in. The weather is rubbish for most of the week so I will wait till next week to drag it out of the shed and get the engine sorted. I will post more photo's soon.

I was going to suggest that the lower looks to be too high on the pics with the v-8. You plan to use a 25" mid then jack it up from there to find the sweet spot? Work of art and engineering IMO. Near zero chance of stress cracking too, what is not to love?

Only one word to describe the entire project........... WOW!!

Awesome job, dude. You are an inspiration!

Hemi2005, Ridgerunner, Greg and Rgsauger, thankyou very much for your kind comments however I wish to point out that this project has had a lot of input from many members on S&F. These small boats are not really my field of expertise and without the very considerable help of others it would have been a much more difficult project with potentially a lesser final result. Greg in particular, your help and input has been invaluable, so my thanks to all those who have assisted in this project.:cheers:

PS more photo's soon.

Glad to see things progressing and looking forward to seeing more pics!

I know exactly what you mean by our fellow Scream And Fly brothers giving advice and help on projects. I've had professional assistance on many projects as well and am quite greatful :D ....Be that as it may. You took that expert knowledge along with your own experience and craftsmanship and are doing an outstanding job. You are to be commended. :cheers: Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing more pics. :thumbsup:

What he said! :iagree::iagree::iagree:

looking good nev..that boat has come a long way..................:eek: :thumbsup: :smiletest:

Time for an update. I have cut the slots for the other longitudinal bearers, cut and fitted them and glued and glassed them in. For access to the bolts from the jack plate into the pod I have cut a hole through the transom. This has been braced and a hatch cut and glassed. Doing it this way will mean I will have no trouble with sealing the pod, also it will allow me to properly glue and glass the boarding platform to the pod. The hatch will be secured by four heavy bolts.
I have built a shelf for the batteries to be mounted. This is low down in the V of the hull. The battery shelf is also being used to locate the bilge pump.

Also a bit of a win. After Ebay went and reclaimed the money I had spent on the K Planes the dude became a bit agitated (motivated). After I had spoken with his shipper I did some research of my own and have found that the K Planes had been delivered but to the wrong address. My shipper has since located them so I guess I will have a set of K Planes soon. Great as I will need to make allowance for mounting them and I will now have the dimensions.:D

Ok off to work, photo's soon.

Do you have any new pics of your progress?

Finally got some more photo's.

This photo is of the two sections cut from the transom for the second or outer longitudinal bearers. These support the boarding platform. If you recall our transom was put together with six seperate sections of 18mm ply. Getting perfect laminations is easy when working with smaller sections.Attachment 254279

Attachment 254280

This photo shows the transom with the second longitudinal bearer glued and glass in place. We used the same method as with the main pod/engine longitudinals, we cut slots in the transom and glued/glassed them to transom, hull bottom and first bulkhead. Once again this will tranfer any weight or stress to the whole rear section of the hull.

Attachment 254281

This photo shows the battery box base. It has a block on the bottom which will locate the bilge pump at just the right height in the bilge.

Attachment 254282

This next photo shows the inside central section between the main pod longitudinal bearers. You can see the base on which the battery box will sit. Also note the hatch cut into the transom. This is to allow access to the bolts which connect the jackplate to the pod transom. I decided it was better to go through the transom rather than the boarding platform where I could have issues with sealing it against the ingress of water.

Attachment 254414Attachment 254415

The next photo shows the battery shelf in position with the battery cases sitting in position.

Attachment 254416

Next I will build the rear seat and complete the transom/deck mold bracing to be added to our new longitudinals.:D