Posted by John Griffin on October 14, 1998 at 19:17:13:
In Reply to: Re: Thunderbolt posted by Aaron Gruenwald on October 13, 1998 at 05:40:55:
: hey Mark...
: Its my girlfriends dad(doesnt have access to internet) who
: built the boat so I am just relaying the info....Well it didn't
: take long but he has the hole bottom rebuilt.. In the process
: he did notice a fracture in one of the main frame rales....He
: replaced that......and went to Buffalo(we live in Ontario Canada)
: to get his marine grade plywood.(I guess previously he could not
: get the specific type of plywood here.) Anyways its comming along
: very good and he is about start to re-fiberglass.....Oh and to answer
: your question about what typa of motor....It is a 454 producing
: 435 - 450 hp....he designed it himselp on Dr. Gasket Engine Builder.
: later.
: : I doubt weak plywood was the (main) problem. From what you
: : described sounds like the underlying structure (frames,
: : bottom batens, keel) gave out. Covering all
: : frames and longitudinals with fiberglass tape will
: : add some strength.
: : Hitting a wake at 85mph is a brutal force -- more
: : like a crash!! I hate to do that with my 17'
: : Glaspar running 35mph!
: : Did you build your Thunderbolt? What type of wood
: : did you use for the frames, longitudinals and
: : plywood? You must have one heck of a motor to do
: : 85mph!!!
: : I'm currently building a Thunderbolt. The hull
: : is completed and currently working on the top
: : decking and interrior. I used okoume plywood,
: : mohagany frames and sitka spruce stringers. Planning
: : on using a stock chevy 350.
: :
: : Mark
: : : Has anyone found that the plywood called for in the
: : : plans is too weak????We hit a wake doing 80-85mph and
: : : smashed the bottom passenger side! It shot right up
: : : through the hood...We sunk..but managed to tow to shore
: : : Anybody think it is worthwhile to fix...and if so, what
: : : should we do to make it stronger!.....Any info would be
: : : gratefully appreciated. Please reply here or at my
: : : email address(grizzwald25@hotmail.com)...
.....I might have the oldest T-Bolt in captivity ! I built it in 1966 and its still running-now powered by a 482"blown gas Chev. I double planked the bottom with 1/2 " marine ply [ 12 ft. sheets ] and reconfigured the bottom into a 3/4 " runner design. Its had some real abuse over the years and still looks and runs good !
John " Mr Max" Griffin