WannaT, RealT, now just frank

[Bob Lemke]

Frank,

Any chance of you sharing a picture of your early 60's tunnel hull boat?

[frank_a]

Well, to be honest Bob, I have no clue how Photobucket works anymore (can't get an img file for pics?), so I'll try to link to the album...

http://s225.beta.photobucket.com/user/4 ... ower%20Cat

Well, the preview didn't work, so I guess I'll just post this and see what happens.

Apparently that worked. This boat is a '62 Power Cat 14T, a bit under 300#s bare. The motor is a '63 Merc1000 that I have adapted late model trim and tilt to as well as hydraulic steering. Motor runs an 18 pitch Vengeance prop. Goes 45-50, but the beauty is in the handling. I can turn a decent 180 degree corner with it at full speed and hardly tilt or have any sense of lost control. That handling ability is what has won my 1st place in classic regatas. You can read all about it, and see more pics and videos here: http://www.powercatboat.com/Group/FA_14t/FA_14t01.html

Frank

[mike wade]

This one Frank?

[frank_a]

Thanks Mike. That's my baby! That pic is before I added hydraulic steering and before I upgraded the trailer to brakes, bigger radial tires (from 14 to 15) and aluminum wheels. All that stuff was done last year. That baby travels a lot over some long distances every year, so I wanted a heavy duty trailer. Trailer probably weighs as much (or more) as the boat!

Now the idea is to start sinking $ into the old hot rod...

Frank

[mike wade]

[Bob Lemke]

Frank,

Your boat is the T equivalent in the maritime world. All engine, light weight, efficient air packing tunnel hull. Yours is the hot boat with a clamp on from the 60's, here is today's version.


Both your boat and the above boat can hole shot better than my old Hemi v-drive flatty.

[Bob Lemke]

Test to see if your img code is working, if it is you just need to click on the picture you want to post, it will enlarge and display the img code. Then click on that code, it will turn yellow and say "copied".

[frank_a]

Yeah Bob, that's the way it always works at home, but I did it from my office computer today, and it was just weird. Then again, for a guy that went to college with a slide rule, it's something I'm even on a computer and the web! Not always easy...

Yes, I get a great hole shot out of that old boat with the vintage merc. It accelerates quickly at any speed, in great part due to the power trim. Yet another project I'm in the middle of is building a 1350 for it. Powerhead is done, need to do carbs, pumps, wiring, etc. Also when that is done I have a hydraulic jack plate for it. That's on the back burner though, just because that 50 year old motor works so darn good. Hot rod is gonna take front burner soon.

Frank

[Bob Lemke]

Couldn't tell from the pictures, but is it a Mercury 850 or 1000?

[frank_a]

'63 1000 Bob, 2nd year they made 'em, and with parts from both the early and later '63's (some pistons 2 ring, some 3). Didn't do much with those motors but make one out of parts that worked. The 1350 is different, powerhead cylinders honeed, new rings. Again, using two engines to make one. Will also need parts (PTT, hydraulic steering) from the 1000 eventually to mount it on the Power Cat.

Frank