Mini Tunnel finally building! From Scratch

[home made tunnel]

Thanks for the update! You have clearly taken your time with this project, it looks fantastic! I have been both a mechanic and a welder at a local shop here in utah for the last 6 years and have been itching for a fun project. I have been researching homemade boats and your project has inspired me to now make a cat. Where did you come up with the basic dimentions? Keep the updates coming!

Thanks everyone ! ! !

Rad4tuna - I changed things up quite a bit. Originally I wanted it 18' long. Looked at cost of materials, and for an experimental project, it was too much in my opinion. So, I scaled everything down to 2/3 size (12'). Then looking at it more, i added an extra 18" behind the seat. I have a couple pictures of designs I had a couple years ago - - - All of which were BAD haha. (SEE SOME PICTURES ATTACHED TO THIS THREAD)

Originally, I had it planned out that the driver was too far back in the boat for CG. Then, the decreasing tunnel depth was an issue (common misconception to the ignorant). The secrets of tunnel hull design book opened up my eyes a lot. Much of the dimensions were from basic "Good-to-the-eye", and some others were "ut-oh... that won't work".

I had inspiration from Glen-L designs, and the 13' Biel owner here on this forum.

HOPEFULLY GETTING WET THIS SPRING ! ! ! Tax returns will get me a brand new E-Tec (90 or 115... undecided for weight).

[home made tunnel]

Fairing the hull bottom prior to glassing. I hate sanding and filling and fairing. Anyone wanna do this part for me?! Haha

[fastdonzi.]

Long Boarding is were its at on a wood boat, done it too many times to want to ever do it again Enjoy

[home made tunnel]

Fairing up the bottom - - - Complete !
LOTS of sanding.
While sanding around the planing pads, I noticed I didn't get good penetration/saturation into the fiberglass, and it delaminated. (see 4th picture). Anyone know what would cause this?

[home made tunnel]

Starting fiberglassing this weekend. Doing the layout tonight.

[rgsauger]

Great job! She's alive!!!

[fastdonzi.]

Fairing up the bottom - - - Complete !
LOTS of sanding.
While sanding around the planing pads, I noticed I didn't get good penetration/saturation into the fiberglass, and it delaminated. (see 4th picture). Anyone know what would cause this?

Could have been a trapped air bubble or just not good enough saturation. did you wet the surface then apply the material? or apply material then try to saturate through??

[mattconrad]

Nice project!

[home made tunnel]

My father, girlfriend, and a puerto rican friend all came to help ! ! !
Soaking through 2 layers of 6oz glass on the bottom was a PAIN IN THE ARSE ! especially on the negative corners (corners of tunnel, and outboard sides of lifting pads).
3rd picture was my Candid Camera shot lol.

[home made tunnel]

Bottom surfaces have 2 layers of 6oz cloth. Sides have a single. Transom has 2 layers also. I took a picture of the worst spot for bubbles - - - No idea what was happening. Tried plenty of resin to soak through, the ribbed resin rollers to push it down, nothing was working for these bubbles. Maybe there was some oil on fingers or something preventing adhesion. Either way, I'll have to sand out these bubbles, and fill them in. I also am going to be filling the trailing edges, and sanding them to a sharp angle prior to painting. They're rounded right now to pull the fiberglass around.

I'm the ugly mug in the tan shirt -

[olboatman]

Great to see the "crew" gettin into it! Helps remove some of the tedious time. Gary

[home made tunnel]

And more drinkin time for me ! haha
What would have taken me all day, we did in 3 or 4 hours

[fastdonzi.]

Your MX Helmet blends in with your Barney Curtains Lol

[home made tunnel]

Hahaha - I was wondering how long until someone noticed the dinosaur sheets - They are my barrier to keep that side of the garage warm hahaha

[home made tunnel]

Got three coats of high build primer on! Some more sanding, filling, and we'll be ready for gelcoat.