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Dynamite, I became aware of you in an old article you wrote about a simple sailboat,
one of Phil Bolger's designs, in a boat magazine years ago. I was knocked
out by the bottom design which, as it turned out, was much like "Diablo's."
When I saw "Diablo," I just went nuts. What I saw was a boat that combined
a Formula E Raceboat bottom with what I consider '30s vintage rowboat
topsides appearance. Since my family is involved in modified outboard
racing (Stephanie races a Formula E runabout) and I love antique outboard
motors, I knew Diablo was a boat I had to have.
I knew at a glance that she'd be faster than hell and turn on a dime. I've
built several conventional frame raceboats and runabouts and I thought the
tack and tape method you describe would be interesting to try.
Five years ago, I bought "Build the Instant Boats" from you and got busy.
Although I think I could build a similar framed rowboat more quickly because
I've built and designed boats, I found the tack and tape method to be
something a totally inexperienced guy could tackle with confidence and end
up with a hell of a boat. It's fun to do and you end up with a boat that
doesn't have a single frame to get in the way of feet, equipment, or
sloshing water.
I took my time with an hour here and there stolen from work. The plans from
your book were all I needed. (I had a printer enlarge them to the
appropriate size) I strenthened the area from the transom to about 4 feet
foreward because I had plans for the boat that neither you nor Phil Bolger
would approve of. A little more plywood and a couple extra hunks of 2x6 did
the job without changing the appearance. I ended up with one of the best
looking rowboats I've ever seen. Being in the repair business, I've had the
opportunity to compare Diablo's versatility and performance with many
aluminum boats from 12' to 16' in size. Diablo is easily the smoothest
riding, fastest, and best turning boat in her class that I've ever
encountered. She weighs only 150 lb. including the extra wood I added.
I've tested her with the following:
1928 Johnson 6 hp quickly on plane to about
12-14 mph
1955 Johnson 5 hp planed with Stephanie (about
120 lb.)
1939 Evinrude Speeditwin (23.5 Hp) fast, about 30 mph
1953 Mark 20 Mercury very quick and fast--32 mph
1955 Johnson 10 20 mph. Will hold plane with
three large adult men to 16 mph
1956 Evinrude 15 Sweet set up. Can do about
25 mph. Will plane with large load.
I added a small steering consel with steering wheel and speedometer which is
pretty accurate. Now we get to the part that you and Phil would not approve
of.
1955 Mercury Mark 55 (40 Hp) Blood and guts! Accelerates to 42
mph in three seconds flat! Pulls
kneeboarders with
ease and will pull waterskiers.
This final combination is just about the most fun thing I've ever had on the
water. The same motor on a retired Formula E race runabout was only about 3
mph faster only because that boat only has about 8" of freeboard. The racer
can carry only the driver and has no versatility. Diablo will still fly at
30 mph with five people aboard.
To date, we have about 300 hours on the boat, most of it with the Mk 55. I
use it as a test bed for many of the outboards I repair and restore. When
the Mk 55 is on the boat, the kids are interested and try to murder it. It
fishes, kneeboards, and waterskies. It spends alot of time hunting for kids
on their jet skies to challange. It rarely gets beaten. As far as 40 hp
outboard boats are concerned, I've set up and wrung out hundreds of them
over the years. I have never seen one that can begin to approach the total
performance of the Mk 55 powered Diablo.
As for durability and maintenance, everything is holding up well despite
serious efforts to see how high and how far it will fly. I have to admit,
I'm just as guilty as my kids in this endevour. I've had it several feet
off the water for 50 feet at a time. With the high entry combined with this
kind of performance, we have to be very aware of crosswinds as a good strong
one can turn the boat 20 degrees or more while it is flying. The boat has
been in the water and in use so much that other than one repaint, there has
been no maintence other than to wash it out. There have been no seam
failures whatsoever despite all the mayhem it has encountered.
I will always remain in your debt. Thanks, Dynamite!
Randy Wright
Classic Outboard
15553 Hwy 160
Isleton, Ca. 95641
wright3@citlink.net |
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