Delcraft Tunnel Boat Complete Restoration

**Tom Smyth** · 09-06-2024, 10:59 AM

So you cant spend 2 + years, countless manhours and a lot of $$$ and then not have a classy towing and storage cover for a boat like this... custom made, padded cover in place. Ready to hit the road to vintage events .....

**WaterZebra** · 09-09-2024, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

So you cant spend 2 + years, countless manhours and a lot of $$$ and then not have a classy towing and storage cover for a boat like this... custom made, padded cover in place. Ready to hit the road to vintage events .....

I'm glad you decided not to cover the entire hull! From what I have learned using full hull covers is they flap in the wind and do more scuff damage than preventing it. You are better off washing the road grime off. I took delivery of a brand new Seebold composite boat at Havasu in 1990. It started to snow on the road trip home to Seattle. CA highway guys starting salting the highways with PUMICE! Freaked me out. The snow collected on the brand new hull and froze. The pumice never saw the new hull paint as the frozen snow made a protective boundary layer.The "dirty snowball" melted and washed right off!

**Tom Smyth** · 09-11-2024, 04:03 PM

this cover is 100% padded on the inside to eliminate any scuffing or scratching from the sunbrella outside material. Guy who makes my canvas does canvas and upholstery for the major cruise lines and travels all over the world. He really really knows his **** !!!!!!!!!

**WaterZebra** · 10-22-2024, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

this cover is 100% padded on the inside to eliminate any scuffing or scratching from the sunbrella outside material. Guy who makes my canvas does canvas and upholstery for the major cruise lines and travels all over the world. He really really knows his **** !!!!!!!!!

All this work and restoration............when will this rig get wet and fire up?

**Tom Smyth** · 10-22-2024, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

All this work and restoration............when will this rig get wet and fire up?

soon grasshopper, soon.

**FUJIMO** · 01-31-2025, 08:19 PM

...big t. anything you can feed us? the weather sure has been nice lately for working on it...

**Tom Smyth** · 02-01-2025, 09:56 AM

Hey Fuji…got several hours of run timeon it on the trailer at the boat ramp,varying rpm. Hoping to splash it down south at Caddys place . Working on a chase boat. Hopefully within a week or two. Got video of the ramp time but too big to load here. Thanks fir asking

**WaterZebra** · 03-02-2025, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

Hey Fuji…got several hours of run timeon it on the trailer at the boat ramp,varying rpm. Hoping to splash it down south at Caddys place . Working on a chase boat. Hopefully within a week or two. Got video of the ramp time but too big to load here. Thanks fir asking

Post some still shots of the ramp runs or you will be demoted to "Tavern Racer" LOL

**Tom Smyth** · 03-03-2025, 06:38 AM

First test run a few weeks aho revealed a cracked flex plate on the flywheel. Didnt last very long. All fixed and splashing again tomorrow.

**WaterZebra** · 06-11-2025, 01:01 PM

THAT was 3 months ago! Where (at least) are the running still shots?!!

**Tom Smyth** · 06-11-2025, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

THAT was 3 months ago! Where (at least) are the running still shots?!!

just returned from vintage event in matyland. Calling the vampire repair complete. #1 on the list now is to get some time in the tunnel here in saltwater with the wife running saftey boat. Target is to get all the bugs worked out and take it to New Martinsville WV on labor day. Pics coming soon !!!