Posted by Malcolm Sterry on June 20, 1998 at 00:59:46:
In Reply to: steletto 16' posted by keith cole on March 15, 1998 at 06:16:30:
: does anybody know what speeds toexpect with a 70 hp outboard.any inboard powerplant suggestions?any building tips ?please reply to kcole@netcom.ca
Keith, I have just completed a Stilletto in Sri Lanka, it was a pleasure to build from local mahogany and imported marine plywood. I had few problems but Ive had the plans a few years and have built it i my head about a thousand times and since Ive made a few boats before it was not so bad. The biggest difficulty I had was bending the keel and battens to conform to the curvature up front, and I found that the local mahogany was so stiff it didnot like to bend. Eventually I was forced to put some hollows in the back of the battens with a router to enable more deflection. I didnt try steaming since I read somewhere that mahogany doesnot respond well to steaming. The other problem was that the boat is designed for a short shaft engine which is not available in Sri Lanka and due to the terrorist situation here the Government will not give permissio to import outboard motors. I resolved this by redesigning the transom to accommodate a standard engine and it doesnt look bad. I will send you a picture by email. I have fitted a used 60 HP engine and hope to launch after my UK vacation in August. I am about to build two airboats followed by a Phantom, and my long term plan is for a 44' sports fishing boat.